Nothing says 1992 like a glass of Chardonnay. It was huge — particularly with women (think Bridget Jones). So what was once a venerated French grape became a dime a dozen as vineyards throughout the world planted gobs of Chardonnay vines. …Just in time for everyone to start drinking reds.
But chardonnay never lost its popularity, just it’s good name. Locals and wine lovers were livid that growers ripped out precious regional varietals for the income-earning workhorse of Chardonnay.
Our own experience with Chardonnay is that it came in a box with a cheap price tag on it. We were embarrassed to say we liked it, but we really did like it. With ice.
Today, an Italian winemaker, Cavit, is bringing back Chardonnay in a new more sophisticated incarnation — Lunetta Rosé, “a cuvée of Chardonnay blended with indigenous Trentino red grape varieties Lagrein, Teroldego and Pinot Noir, all grapes for Lunetta Rosé are sourced from the Adige Valley and Vallagarina,” reads the press release.
The new offering will sell for $11.99 a 750-ml — about three times more than a 3-liter box, but likely well worth it.