Pacific Northwest’s Chardonnay renaissance

It has been a half-century since Chardonnay was planted in Washington and Oregon.

Today, Chardonnay thrives throughout the Pacific Northwest. In Washington, it is the No. 2 grape after Cabernet Sauvignon, and it is the No. 2 white grape in Oregon after Pinot Gris.

Northwest winemakers have moved beyond the California-style oak bombs and are exploring many different examples of Chardonnays, creating a renaissance for the noble white grape of Burgundy.

Here are a dozen Northwest Chardonnays we’ve tasted in recent weeks.