As much as I love wines made from the more obscure grapes and less-traveled corners of France and Italy, I relish the comfort of bottles made from two of the most widely known and beloved grape varieties: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. There’s something so familiar about reaching for a bottle made from these grapes. Even when they come from less-trodden regions, like Friuli or Savoie, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are effortlessly charming.
    This is why I always have a bottle of Lavantureux’s utterly delicious and expressive Petit Chablis on hand. It sings on every occasion, livening up a quiet weeknight at home, while also being eminently approachable for larger gatherings with friends. And Benoît Cantin’s Irancy, made right down the road from Chablis, is such an inviting red Burgundy that it, too, works well for pretty much every occasion.
   As comforting as they are, wines made from these grapes also have the ability to surprise and thrill. Having recently opened Eric Chevalier’s Chardonnay from the western Loire Valley, I was astonished by how good Chardonnay from the land of Muscadet can be. Michela Carlotto’s Pinot Nero, meanwhile, from a special vineyard in northeastern Italy is also stirring in its elegance and depth. Who knew a Pinot Nero from Alto Adige could climb to the same heights as premier cru Burgundy?
   This sampler is packed with twelve very different, and yet equally alluring, renditions of two grapes known for their expressiveness, transparency, and most of all deliciousness. By the time you open the last bottle, you’ll have discovered several new renditions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that you may never have expected to love!