Expert: Paul Wagner - 3/6/2007

Question
Dear Paul,
    I see you know something of the old Brookside winery.  They had a white burgundy called St. Emilion that I dearly loved.  Any idea where I might find a comparable wine?
Thanks,
Michael Nestor

Answer
Hi Michael

That's a real puzzle!  White Burgundy is made from Chardonnay grapes, and you might try just about any Chardonnay on the market to see how that compares.  I think the Blackstone Chardonnay is pretty good right now, and not very expensive.

But St. Emilion is a region of Bordeaux, which doesn't make Chardonnay.  The whites are made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, and I don't think very many California producers capture that style.  Maybe try the Alice White blend from Australia.  And the real irony of your story is that St. Emilion makes almost NO white wine---it is all red!

I guess that is marketing!  Let me know what you try, and how you like it.  

Paul Wagner