2021 Joey Tensley, Fundamental Chardonnay, Central Coast, California, USA

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or. Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

The Central Coast of California stretches from the San Francisco Bay Area to Santa Barbara County. Known for its varied microclimates, it produces cool-climate wines like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and bold reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel. With areas like Santa Barbara and Paso Robles leading the way, the region is renowned for its sustainable practices and innovative winemaking, making it a key player in California's wine industry.