When Phil Baxter learned Chardonnay was not allowed at the Anderson Valley White Wine Festival, he decided to take a stand.

I started with whites, selecting three different varietals: an off-dry (i.e., slightly sweet) Riesling, a dry, tart Sauvignon Blanc, and a buttery, oaky Chardonnay. I took a cup of each wine and ...

What you like in wine is often identified by the oak barrel, so it helps to pay attention to the process. Some people love oaky chardonnays, for instance, while others prefer the cleaner ...

Next time you see these two white wine options on the list ... The issue is that on the mass-produced end of the spectrum, oaky and buttery Chardonnay, and easy-drinking, uncomplicated Pinot ...

because it is a varietal than can produce sparkling wine, dry unoaked floral wines, oaky powerful wines; fortified Marsala wines, and even late harvest wines. It also has transparency to terroir.