2014 Corton Charlemagne, Grand Cru, Domaine Bertagna, Burgundy

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or. Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

Domaine Bertagna was originally put together by Monsieur Bertagna in the 1950s before he sold to the Reh family in 1982. Eva Reh-Siddle has been in charge since 1988 with various winemakers at the helm, notably Roland Masse, now at the Hospices de Beaune, and Claire Forrestier who was responsible for vintages from 1999 to 2005. Eva's sister Annegret also runs the world-famous Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt estate in the Mosel.   The domaine has impressive holdings in the commune of Vougeot, allied to several grands crus from other communes and some volume in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits. All these are processed in an efficient, high tech cuvérie before élévage in the substantial underground cellars. Jasper Morris MW author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.