Attributes:

Universal Wine Network

Central Coast, United States

Chardonnay

3 L

2005: Tastings Rating: 84

tangy, tart

medium-bodied

citrus, green apple, lemon, pineapple, tangerine

Food Matches:

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.

The Central Coast AVA is a large American Viticultural Area that spans from Santa Barbara County to the San Francisco Bay Area. With around 100,000 acres planted, Chardonnay accounts for more then half of the total plantings. Within this larger AVA are several smaller appellations that share the same cooling influence from the Pacific Ocean. These include Arroyo Grande Valley AVA Arroyo Seco AVA Carmel Valley AVA Chalone AVA Cienega Valley AVA Contra Costa County AVA Edna Valley AVA Hames Valley AVA Lime Kiln AVA Livermore Valley AVA Monterey AVA Monterey County AVA Pacheco Pass AVA Paicines AVA Paso Robles AVA San Antonio Valley AVA San Benito AVA San Bernabe AVA San Francisco Bay AVA San Lucas AVA San Luis Obispo County AVA San Ysidro District AVA Santa Barbara County AVA Santa Clara County AVA Santa Clara Valley AVA Santa Cruz County AVA Santa Lucia Highlands AVA Santa Maria Valley AVA Santa Ynez Valley AVA Sta. Rita Hills AVA York Mountain AVA

Attributes:

Joseph Drouhin

Meursault, France

Chardonnay

750 ML

2002: Tanzer Rating: 88

rich

butter, hazelnut, oak, orange, peach, smoky

sweet

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: 85

zesty

light-bodied

round

2001: Tanzer Rating: 87

fat, ripe acidity

layered

nuts, oak, peach, spicy

2000: Tanzer Rating: 86

ginger, oak, peach, pit fruits

1998: Tastings Rating: 86

crisp

rich

citrus, nutty, spice

1997: Tastings Rating: 89

bright, high acidity

full-bodied

rich

distinctive

1996: WineAdvocate Rating: 87

medium-bodied

tightly wound

racy, well-balanced

1995: WineAdvocate Rating: 88

medium-bodied

Food Matches:

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.

(muhr so)—The white wines of this part of Burgundy come from Chardonnay grapes grown in poor, rocky soil. They are deliciously dry wines, rich and full of the flavors of butter, nuts, and spices, with minerally overtones.

Attributes:

Rombauer

Carneros, United States

Chardonnay

1.5 L

Food Matches:

This small section of Northern California is situated at the base of both the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Carneros has made its reputation with its Pinot Noirs, which are filled with strawberry, cherry, spice, and chocolate, and are very rich and seductive. Chardonnay is also excellent, very buttery but not too fat.

(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.