What Do You Look For in a Char

Big, round and buttery or leaner, racier style with lower alcohol levels?

For at least two decades big, round, buttery Chardonnays with effulgent sweetish tropical fruit and vanilla flavors have been sought after by most wine lovers in the Americas and Australia. But they have never been popular in Europe. Europeans have always preferred a leaner, racier style with lower alcohol levels. This week's article examines some of the differences between European and New World styles in dry white wines.

You may like to read our former review of California Chardonnay vs. White Burgundy.