It’s good to have benchmarks in life, things that give you a centerpiece on which to assess other examples of the (sorta) same thing. After working in some of France’s more compelling regions (like Bandol, Burgundy, and the Northern Rhône) and Oz and NZ), Thomas Frissant moved back home to the ‘burbs of the Loire Valley to take the reins at his family’s vineyard outside of Tours. Within a few years he’d succeeded in converting the property to certified organics and put into play a sustainable winemaking approach that puts the emphasis on the wines, rather than the winemaker.

Frissant’s wines have a revealing purity about them, letting their varietal character show through that also encompasses transparency enabling the vintage to show through. He accomplishes this with fermentation and élevage in stainless steel, resulting in a Chardonnay that’s pure and fresh, with an acidity profile that makes you want to try a second sip.