The (still) dismal state of California Chardonnay

It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times.

In 2013, California celebrated its largest grape harvest in history, with just shy of 4.7 million tonnes crushed according to official government statistics. Chardonnay, still reigning supreme as the single most popular grape variety grown in the state, made up a full 16.1% of that total, representing a volume of wine roughly equivalent to the total yearly production of Hungary. This is no doubt the consequence of the wine’s popularity at tables throughout the nation. The single best-selling wine in restaurants around the country has for many...