The White Wines of America

The chardonnay grape is California’s grandest white varietal. Well-balanced, full-bodied wines, comparable to some of Burgundy’s best, they range in style from light and delicate, resplendent with the fruity aromas of autumn apples and lush ripe melons, to the richer, more complex wines that are enhanced by aging in oak.

Chardonnays are perfect, lightly chilled, with white meats such as chicken, veal, and pork, and also with shellfish and fish. They are gutsy enough to stand up to a cream sauce and are a good accompaniment to full-flavored seafood dishes. Don’t forget to put a bottle in the refrigerator as soon as the tips of spring asparagus poke through the ground.