California Chardonnay: it&#39;s a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we&#39;re diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

California Chardonnay&#39;s rise to fame is a fascinating tale involving a few key ingredients: a chance upset, ideal growing conditions, and evolving winemaking styles.

The Judgement of Paris (1976): This blind tasting, where Californian Chardonnays triumphed over prestigious French Burgundies, sent shockwaves through the wine world. It proved that California could compete with, and even surpass, established wine regions. This win put Californian Chardonnay on the map and sparked international interest.

Sunshine State Advantage: California&#39;s sunny climate proved ideal for Chardonnay grapes. The warm days and cool nights allowed the grapes to develop ripe fruit flavors while retaining refreshing acidity, a key factor in a well-balanced wine. This happy marriage of climate and grape variety made California Chardonnays a crowd-pleaser.

From Buttery to Bold (and Beyond): Early California Chardonnays often leaned heavily on oak aging, resulting in a rich, buttery style. While popular initially, this style eventually faced a backlash. Winemakers began exploring different techniques, like using less oak or stainless steel tanks, to showcase the grape&#39;s natural fruit flavors and create a wider range of Chardonnay expressions. Today, you can find California Chardonnays in a spectrum of styles, from unoaked and crisp to rich and barrel-aged.

This combination of a pivotal tasting, ideal growing conditions, and a willingness to experiment with winemaking styles all contributed to California Chardonnay&#39;s rise to superstardom.

Here are three California bottles won&#39;t disappoint.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Anthill-Farms-Chardonnay-Russian-River-Valley-Peugh-Vineyard-2021-w42758470w">1. Anthill Farms - Chardonnay Russian River Valley Peugh Vineyard 2021:</a>&nbsp;- $49.99

<ul>
	<li>Winery:&nbsp;Three passionate friends with grit (and maybe a little dirt under their fingernails) started Anthill Farms. They learned the ropes at prestigious wineries before chasing their dream.</li>
	<li>Flavor Profile:&nbsp;Imagine a crisp walk through a summer orchard, with juicy pear, tangerine, and hints of honeysuckle. The subtle oak adds a touch of vanilla bean for a luxurious finish.</li>
	<li>Food Pairing:&nbsp;This wine craves seafood. Think grilled lobster with lemon butter or creamy Dungeness crab cakes.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Beringer-Chardonnay-Napa-Valley-Private-Reserve-2022-w046619545">2. Beringer - Chardonnay Napa Valley Private Reserve 2022:</a>&nbsp;- $35.99

<ul>
	<li>Winery:&nbsp;Beringer boasts a rich history dating back to the 1870s. They&#39;re Napa Valley royalty, known for crafting bold, yet balanced wines.</li>
	<li>Flavor Profile:&nbsp;This Chardonnay is all sunshine and smiles. Expect notes of pineapple, mango, and a hint of minerality. The oak influence is present but adds a touch of spice and toasty brioche, not overwhelming sweetness.</li>
	<li>Food Pairing:&nbsp;Beringer&#39;s Private Reserve is a versatile crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it with roasted chicken with creamy herb stuffing, or go lighter with goat cheese salad and grilled peaches.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Pride-Chardonnay-2017-w7207869y8">3. Pride - Chardonnay 2017 </a>- $46.99 

(Note: Due to the vintage being 2017, this wine might be challenging to find)

<ul>
	<li>Winery:&nbsp;shrouded in a bit of mystery, Pride focuses on small-production, high-quality Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.</li>
	<li>Flavor Profile:&nbsp;With some bottle age, this Chardonnay is likely to be evolving into something truly special. Expect richer flavors of stone fruit, honey, and a touch of butterscotch. Look for hints of spice and toast from oak aging.</li>
	<li>Food Pairing:&nbsp;This Chardonnay can stand up to heartier dishes. Think creamy mushroom risotto, roasted pork tenderloin with caramelized onions, or even a decadent cheese board.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.



Rosé originates from France, specifically Provence - the world’s leading rosé region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, rosés are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

Spring into Rosé: The Perfect Wine for Warmer Weather

We are interested in understanding your dining and wine consumption habits to gain valuable insights into the wine and restaurant industry.

State of Wine and Restaurant Survey 2024

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligoté, Burgundy's "other" white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligoté is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint: Hungary's Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers

Check out these four whites wines under $24, from some great producers across various terroirs – France, Italy, Spain. Spring is in the air.

Four must try white wines for under $24 from France, Spain, and Italy

Eric Asimov's recent article isn't just about the "luxury" of sommeliers vanishing from restaurants. It's a stark warning about the potential collapse of a vibrant corner of our social and cultural ecosystem: the world of wine.

Why the Decline of Sommeliers Is a Crisis for All of Us

Camille’s

Sam Hohl, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas take a trip to Camille’s in Rhode Island. 

Wine List Review of Camille's, Rhode Island

Sam Hohl

Camille's

Camille&rsquo;s

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a Wine List from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier and wine educator.

Hello Sam,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

&nbsp;SH: Hi Robert!

&nbsp;RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

Camilles

&nbsp;

Overview

Camilles is located in Providence, Rhode Island and has been open since 1914! They&rsquo;re known for their classic Italian dishes and elegant atmosphere, and of course their wine selection.

Where to start

This wine list features lots of Italian options to complement the menu along with plenty of California bottles, and includes some New and Old World selections too. There&rsquo;s some wonderful choices in a variety of price ranges so it really is great if you&rsquo;re looking for something tasty and affordable or something to celebrate over and you like a particular style.&nbsp;

Starting off with a white I&rsquo;d go for the 2018 Jermann &ldquo;Dreams.&rdquo; This is a chardonnay from the Friuli region of Italy, and is food-ready. This bottle has tropical notes and stone fruit, some honey and vanilla tones and is balanced by minerality and zingy acid. Try with the clams casino or the Gulf Shrimp wrapped with Prosciutto di Parma since this bottle will pair well with shellfish but it can also stand dishes with a little meatiness.

For the red lovers out there the 2015 Col D&rsquo;Orcia Brunello Di Montalcino Vigna Nastagio will be a great choice. This bottle comes from the largest organic estate in Tuscany and has farmed their vineyards, their olive groves and even their gardens organically since 2010. It&rsquo;s got a really beautiful balance of tannins and acid along with notes of dark cherries, vanilla, dried herbs and leather. It&rsquo;s going to pair well with flavorful and savory dishes like the arancini with mushrooms or the bolognese made with simmered beef.

Value

This list has lots of value options to satisfy whatever your preference is, but one that I would go for is the 2018 Zenato Lugana San Benedetto from the Veneto region of Italy. It&rsquo;s made from the Trebbiano di Lugana grape from vineyards surrounding Lake Garda. This white wine is zippy and bright with notes of tangerine and peaches and hints of banana. It&rsquo;s got a beautiful herbaceousness to it and some mineral qualities too. It will be complemented by some fresh and tropical flavors, so it would be fun to try with the sesame crusted Ahi with coconut lime risotto.

Celebratory 

There&rsquo;s plenty of celebratory bottles on here no matter what your go-to type of wine is. For me, I&rsquo;m thinking it&rsquo;s a big delicious Italian dinner- I&#39;m going to go with the 2013 Gaja Barbaresco. Gaja is a very well-known Italian producer and has been making wines for 5 generations in Piedmont. This particular vintage is highly praised, so getting the opportunity to experience this bottle is really special. It&rsquo;s got wonderful structure and complexity and lovely round tannins. All of the red cherry and strawberry notes are complemented by spice and leather. There&rsquo;s subtle dark fruit and floral tones as well. It&rsquo;s going to shine alongside one of their steaks, or the pistachio crusted lamb would also make this bottle sing!

RT: Sam Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Camille&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

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End

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Zinfandel

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Wrath

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Harmony Cellars

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Joullian

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Halter Ranch, Grenache Blanc, Adelaida District NV

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Pomar Junction

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