On the banks of Friuli's Isonzo River in northeast Italy, the marine soils and whipping winds provide an environment for growing intense, aromatic Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Friulano.

 

 

Feeling adventurous?  Why not start with the entry-point wine from one of the world's great wineries.  Domaine des Baumard is the Iconic winery in Savennières, masterfully coaxing the exotic and earthy flavours out of Chenin Blanc grown in sandstone schist soils.

"Pale gold. Pure nose revealing inviting minerality and jammy white fruit perfumes. Savoury palate with superb substance and racy, expressive flavours as its main calling cards. Such deft craftmanship creates a deliciously refined, long-lasting treat."
93 points, Gilbert & Gaillard, May 2015

"This is a rich, beautifully textured dry wine. It is terroir-driven, with the volcanic soil of Savennières underlying the tight texture. By contrast, it offers hints of honey and flavours of yellow fruits balanced with fruity lemon flavours. Drink from 2017."

 

 

Possibly the most overlooked wine regions in France is Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine where the Loire meets the Atlantic.  Melon de Bourgogne, a transplant varietal from Burgundy has found the perfect environment here in the rocky, miserable soils and Maritime climate.  The resulting wines are dense yet only medium-bodied, appley, minerally, and almost Chablis-like.  However I find them richer than village Chablis, sur lie ageing provides this.

A good friend of mine said she liked, but was tired of, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.  I suggested Muscadet and she loved it.  Another convert!

"At its youngest and freshest (some also have a slight spritz) it's the ideal seafood wine, notably with oysters, but extended lees ageing can create wines of remarkable longevity. I've drunk a 17-year old Muscadet from one of the region's best producers, Luneau-Papin - that was still as fresh as a daisy."

 

This tongue-twisting wine's name is almost as complex as the wine itself.  Full bodied, yet modest in alcohol; tropical as well as earthy in aromas and flavours, and then there's that distinct yet gentle white peppery spiciness.  Imagine combining Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio together and you're in the realm of Grüner Veltliner.

"Citrus oil richness; exotic inner-mouth perfume of bittersweet flowers and resinous green herbs; and tropical lushness of papaya and pink grapefruit aren't what I would have expected from an entry-level and alcoholically light Grüner Veltliner. But I'm not complaining! Buried in there somewhere are more Veltliner-typical hints of lentil and white pepper. This finishes with a rush of refreshing juiciness supporting a welter of flavour. (Although the labelling has changed, this basic Hirsch bottling, formerly designated with a nickname and number, retains the same cellar approach and sources: almost entirely from the estate, plus bio-dynamically farmed fruit from one northerly neighbour.)  2015-2018."

 

 

The Awatere Valley is a sub-appellation in Marlborough, but the climate is harsher, drier, more intense. The resulting wines show this intensity on the nose and on the palate.

If you have had the hugely popular Astrolabe "Province" Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Vintages "Essentials" collection, here is another from their fabulous collection to enthrall your senses.

 

 

Though Buehler Vineyards is located in Conn Valley, Napa Valley, they source the Wood and River vineyards in Sonoma for the fruit used in their Chardonnay.  For Chardonnays in an "any time" price range that present themselves with elegance, the Russian River Valley is an excellent region to look to.  The fruit grown here provides delicate Chardonnay flavours of citrus, apple and pear.

It takes a deft hand to create a balanced wine from this varietal.  The winery employs sur lie ageing, lees stirring, and full malolactic fermentation in barrel.  The finished wine has lovely toasty, graham crackery aromatics and delicate acidity making the wine endlessly refreshing.

 

 

Santa Barbara County turns out some of the state's best Burgundian.  The combination of abundant sunshine, calcium rich soils and cold Pacific air makes for grape nirvana. 

Bruce McGuire sources numerous vineyards in the county, takes this very ripe fruit and ferments two-thirds of it in stainless steel, and the remainder in barrique with full malolactic fermentation and lees stirring.  The blending of these two base wines produces a well balanced, charming Chardonnay perfect for any occasion.

There's an abundance of juiciness and citrusy, tropical fruit flavours with acidity and you'll find an underlying softness, a creaminess and soft oak nuances.

 

 

The shores of Vaseux Lake in Okanagan Falls provides a mosaic of soils and dry, virtually perfectly predictable weather.  This Chardonnay presents a Meursault-like personality, complex with citrus and toast, yet playing it light on the palate. 

"With a deservedly sterling reputation for fine sparkling wine, the winery showcases its talent with Chardonnay here.  On the nose, there are layered aromas of citrus, tree fruit and white flowers with hints of spice and mineral. Beautifully balanced with all elements in harmony and satiny fresh in texture, the palate replays citrus and crisp apple with a smidge of spice through the invigorating and lasting finish-sip and savour."