Join TSG's Wine Director, John, along with Casey, for this month's Seminar Saturday tasting as we take a closer look at one of the world's most beloved and versatile grape varieties: Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is the world’s most popular grape used in white wines. This green-skinned grape is a result of cross pollination between Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gouais Blanc, centuries ago. Its ability to absorb nutrients and pick up the flavors of an array of soils makes it the 5th most widely planted grape for white wines in the world. Its flavors can vary drastically depending on the location it’s produced in. It can take on light, crisp, mineral flavors of Old World, unoaked wines in Chablis, France to oaked, New World, California versions that portray nutty, buttery and tropical fruit aromas.

With this tasting we're going to taste through five different wines that composed entirely of Chardonnay but grown and vinified in different places and in different ways to express the characteristics of their place of origin. We call this ability to express a sense of place and time terroir and it's this terroir expression that we find so compelling and captivating and keeping us coming back for more.

Our Seminar Saturdays are designed to be fun, approachable, and informative. In just 20 minutes, you'll discover what makes Chardonnay so special while tasting five distinct wines that showcase the grape's incredible range of styles.

Along the way, you'll enjoy thoughtfully selected pairings that bring the wines to life.

Whether you're a longtime Chardonnay fan or think you don't like Chardonnay, this seminar may surprise you.

20-minute guided discussion

Taste 5 wines

Enjoy curated food pairings

Learn something new and have some fun 
 

Wines you'll be enjoying:

 2021, Monzio Compagnoni, “Saten” Franciacorta Brut, Lombardy, Italy                                                             $32.00/$27.20

Bright straw yellow with persistent, intense perlage. Very fruity and floral nose, with aromas of red berries and white blossoms, along with delicate buttery notes, fresh caramel, and a vinous character. On the palate, it is hearty with vibrant fruit and a crisp finish, balanced, well-dosed, round, and harmonious.

 2025, Colterenzio, “Altkirch” Chardonnay, Alto-Adige, Italy                                                                                   $20.00/$17.00

Alto Adige shows its strengths in every glass. Here crisp orchard fruits gain extra zip from mountain altitudes while the palate lets salty minerals and citrus notes create pure refreshment. A wine that shows why this region has mastered the art of keeping things cool and crisp.

 2022, Michel Thibaut, Cotes du Jura Chardonnay, Jura, France                                                                             $26.00/$22.10

This Jura Chardonnay is light but somehow also rich with aromas of lemons, green apple & spice. It shows a striking intensity on the palate with notes of river rock, apples, orange peel & white flowers. Tons of minerality emerge on the palate, followed by zippy acids & green herb notes to go with the citrus flavors.

 2023, Adams Wein, “Lohpfad” Chardonnay, Rheinhessen, Germany                                                                   $45.00/$38.25

Simone Adams is one of the top winemakers in all of Germany that represent both a new direction in agricultural practices as well as winemaking prowess. Focusing almost exclusively on Burgundian varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, she has blazed a trail among her peers for producing wines that are intensely expressive of their terroir as well as the winemaker’s hand. The Lohpfad Chardonnay is full-bodied, fresh and intense, generous, saline and lemon-bitter. The long, intense and elegant, stimulating saline and aromatic finish features tropical fruit flavors, such as ripe pears, melons, baby pineapples and lemon rind.

 2023, Françoise & Denis Clair, “Sur le Sentier du Clou” Saint Aubin, Burgundy, France                                   $58.00/$49.30

This estate was founded in 1986 in Santenay, where Denis’ family had long been vignerons. Over time Denis and Françoise added parcels in Saint-Aubin, where Françoise was from, and where the winery is today. Since 2000, their son Jean-Baptiste has worked on the estate, gaining plaudits for the increased refinement and precision of the wines. The nose of this wine is characterised by lovely fruitiness, with aromas of pear and white peach. The wine is quite opulent on the palate, with notes of hazelnuts and almonds characterising the finish. This is their most indulgent 1er cru and the easiest to drink young.