Regardless of the constantly changing wine trends in the United States, chardonnay remains the most popular white wine in the country and the most-planted white grape variety in California. While the styles of California chardonnay can vary greatly, they tend to be food-friendly, medium- to full-bodied wines that can stand up to fatty fishes, white meats and cream sauces. The following are examples of oaked and unoaked wines from two of California top chardonnay-growing regions.
Mer Soleil 2020 Silver Unoaked Chardonnay, Monterey County, California
Bought • Wine and Cheese Place, 457 North New Ballas Road, in October for $15.99
Description • Mer Soliel is owned by the Wagner Family of Wines, the company launched by Chuck Wagner who founded the prestigious Caymus Vineyards with his late parents. Chuck’s son, Charlie, is the winemaker at Mer Soliel and his medium-bodied unoaked chardonnay was fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and small concrete tanks imported from Burgundy, France. This is a rich chardonnay that is so fruity it seems almost off-dry. It tastes of ripe green apple and stone fruit with a touch of spice. It ends with a long lemony finish.
People are also reading…
Raeburn Winery 2020 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, California
Bought • Wine and Cheese Place, 457 N. New Ballas Road, in October for $14.98
Description • Raeburn, a certified California Sustainable Winery, was founded by Purple Brands owner Derek Benham in honor of his mother Phyllis, who was a passionate naturalist. Its high-scoring Russian River Valley chardonnay is a beautifully balanced wine of which 75% was aged in French and Hungarian oak and the remainder in stainless steel. The combination results in a more subtle oak flavor. This is an elegant, creamy and complex medium- to full-bodied white that tastes of juicy green apples, pears and citrus with notes of honey, vanilla and toast.
Follow Gail on Twitter @GailAppleson.
