Chardonnay Without Borders: Blind Tasting Across Continents

We're returning to one of my favorite spots—Noreetuh—for this tasting. Located at 128 First Avenue in the East Village, Noreetuh is a modern Hawaiian restaurant whose menu pairs beautifully with Chardonnays.
Noreetuh Menu

At this 6-person meetup, we’ll start with a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, then move into a blind tasting of three Chardonnays. Think you can spot the true Burgundy?

Just a reminder of our usual rules:

** The cost of this event is $56 and is for the cost of the wines and corkage only.

NOTE: Meetup has started charging a "Partner Fee" that is above and in addition to the listed price of the event. It comes to approximately $4 more for each RSVP. You will see this charge when you complete your rsvp and pay for the event. Sorry! Meetup+ members are exempt from this charge.

Please note that you'll be responsible for the cost of your own food, plus an additional 33% to cover tax and tip. We kindly ask that you order at least two courses—such as a main dish and either an appetizer or dessert—for dinner. Restaurants that allow us to bring our own wine for a reasonable corkage fee are rare, so it's important that we show our appreciation by being gracious guests. This helps ensure we’re welcomed back in the future.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $6 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

The Wines:

NV Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Extra Brut Blanc De Blancs Latitude, France - Vinous 93($70), A tangy overtone of pink grapefruit peel rides the fine mousse in this creamy Champagne. It's layered with a subtle mesh of apricot, lemon thyme and minerally brine and chalk notes. Well-cut and harmonious. Drink now through 2025. 6,000 cases made, 100 cases imported.
The name “Latitude” was chosen to characterise better this very round cuvée, with its rich, charming style.
It is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes which all come from the same “latitude”: the south of Vertus. A generous terroir and grapes picked fully ripe: the Latitude cuvée is the festive Champagne par excellence, which nonetheless retains the characteristic purity of the estate’s Champagnes.
This non-vintage cuvée contains 40% of wines coming from the estate’s perpetual reserve started in 2004.
https://larmandier.fr/en/our-champagnes/latitude/

2019 Frederic Magnien Meursault 'Peutes Vignes'($60) No Pro Reviews, CT91
From the producer:
Geological description
"Les Peutes Vignes" is located in the northeast of the village of Meursault, bordering the first cru "Les Plures". This hillside, limestone and limestone, enjoys a slight slope offering enchanting wines, characteristic of the Meursault appellation famous all over the world.
Food & Wine Agreement
Drink with grilled and sauce crustaceans, such as prawns or lobster, whose aromatic intensity and crisp texture play with its bright and supple balance.

2021 Shunyi “Xiang Si” 相思 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, USA ($40) No Pro Reviews,
From the producer:
The harvest at McIntyre vineyard began on the same day in both years, the character of the fruit was quite different—the 2020 wines were concentrated, ripe, and plush, while the 2021 wines are brighter, a bit lower in alcohol, and more classically proportioned. 180 cases made.

We named our Chardonnay “Xiang Si” 相思, which means to think about the ones you care for and love. We wanted to dedicate this wine to our families and friends who have been guiding and supporting us along this challenging yet exciting journey

2021 Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard 'White Stones' Chardonnay, Argentian ($99), WA 98 - A very mineral, flinty chardonnay full of wet stones, lime and some green fruit. Austere and chalky on the medium-bodied palate, really transparent and elegant with super bright and beautifully integrated acidity. Pure, linear and long. Drink or hold.

The 2021 White Stones Chardonnay is subtler and more elegant, a little closed with moderate ripeness and alcohol (12.5%) and a mineral palate with strong chalky sensations. It might be worth reproducing their explanation about this wine, one of the finest whites in Argentina: "The term 'white stones' refers to the composition of said rows of soil, with white oval stones covered by gravel. The vineyard 'Adrianna' is planted at an altitude of almost 1,500 meters above sea level, in the district of Gualtallary in Tupungato. The stony soil prevents deep root growth, providing optimum drainage. These soils are very poor in organic matter and contribute to support vines' permanent stress conditions. The cool nights allow for very slow ripening, optimal acid retention and low yields." This is serious and tasty. 7,300 bottles produced.