(TheDrinksBusiness) - California makes the best Chardonnay in the New World according to Anne-Claude Leflaive of leading Puligny-Montrachet estate Domaine Leflaive. Speaking exclusively to the drinks business during a Leflaive wine dinner at Christie’s in London last week, Leflaive said: “Of all the so-called New World countries, I think California is making the best Chardonnay. “There are some very good winemakers in the region and they benefit from the chalk soil and old vines. All good Chardonnay is born of a certain terroir.” Leflaive was loath to pinpoint specific producers, though admitted to having tried some “excellent” Californian Chardonnays.