It's Perfect Chardonnay Weather

In the 60s and 70s, Oregon oenologists had the idea that if pinot noir, the red grape of Burgundy, grows well in their terroir, so must chardonnay, Burdundy's white grape.  Subtle differences proved otherwise and it wasn't until the 80s, with the arrival of Domaine Drouhin, that Oregon got on the right track and planted vines that thrived in the unique climate.

Eric Asimov and Florence Fabricant sat down with Blue Pilkington, a somm at Cafe Boulud, and Dustin Wilson, the wine director at Eleven Madison Park, to taste through a selection of Oregon chardonnays.

The winner was a 2009 reserve chardonnay from Lemelson, in the Willamette Valley. $22