California: Easy on the Oak?
The California chardonnay that won the 1976 Judgment of Paris - the event depicted in the new film Bottle Shock - was very "burgundian" in style. That is, it didn't have a lot of oak in it.
"California white" is virtually synonymous with chardonnay, which is the state's most widely planted grape. But it's only been in the last 25 to 30 years that it's become so important - and so heavily oaked.
Slate's Mike Steinberger sees a light at the bottom of the oak barrel...
