Well, with very few exceptions, I never drink Chardonnay! You mentioned the overwhelming oakiness/vanilla overtones, which I think is characteristic of American Chardonnay in particular, and I just hate it. It's like a headache in a bottle for me! That said, I really like Pouilly-Fuissé, which is basically French Chardonnay, but it is dry and delicate and rarely oaky, even though it's aged in oak! I also love Pouilly-Fumé, which is basically French Sauvignon Blanc, but it's usually not as acidic or sweet as the NZ. Sancerre can also be good but is more acidic.
Another wine I recently discovered is Melon de Bourgogne! I just ordered a case of it from an Ontario winery (Norman Hardie), but I have seen the odd bottle on the shelves in liquor stores (we get totally different wines than you do in the US though, so I don't know if that will be the case for you). It is a little sweeter but light and delicate and refreshing and perfect, oh my god, I want to drink it all the time! My husband really loves Chablis, too, so I guess we just really like French whites? I will totally drink new world Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot or whatever, but I check the sweetness level before buying.
I also drink a ton of sparkling wine and champagne. I mean, champagne is amazing, but there is lots of French sparkling wine that is cheaper and just can't be called champagne because it's grown in another region. I love Cremant d'Alsace especially. And there are many good Cavas and Proseccos too! Again, I just check to see how sweet they are before buying and buy the slightly more expensives ones.
I am also a huge fan of rosés in the summer time! Again, the French rosés are great, and I would recommend trying a Tavel if you can find it!
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2013-06-20 03:09 pm (UTC)Another wine I recently discovered is Melon de Bourgogne! I just ordered a case of it from an Ontario winery (Norman Hardie), but I have seen the odd bottle on the shelves in liquor stores (we get totally different wines than you do in the US though, so I don't know if that will be the case for you). It is a little sweeter but light and delicate and refreshing and perfect, oh my god, I want to drink it all the time! My husband really loves Chablis, too, so I guess we just really like French whites? I will totally drink new world Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot or whatever, but I check the sweetness level before buying.
I also drink a ton of sparkling wine and champagne. I mean, champagne is amazing, but there is lots of French sparkling wine that is cheaper and just can't be called champagne because it's grown in another region. I love Cremant d'Alsace especially. And there are many good Cavas and Proseccos too! Again, I just check to see how sweet they are before buying and buy the slightly more expensives ones.
I am also a huge fan of rosés in the summer time! Again, the French rosés are great, and I would recommend trying a Tavel if you can find it!