Photography by Tom Arena
Chardonnay’s versatility and zippy acidity appeals to those making creative spirits and mixing cocktails.
Most likely, you’ve already had it in your martini: The grape often goes incognito in white vermouth and aperitif wines, sometimes as part of a blend (for example, Italy’s Carpano Bianco mixes it with Trebbiano and Cortese grapes). Others are more forthcoming, trumpeting local variations as a badge of micro-terroir: Atsby Vermouth uses a base of Long Island Chardonnay, while California aperitif-maker Mommenpop has worked with wine from the Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino regions.
