I had a tasting at Wente and was pleasantly surprised with their wines (was expecting house wine/ supermarket wine quality). Crowd pleaser with some dimension. The staff was super nice too.
I just had a 2021 Pinot Noir from Au Bon Climat from Santa Barbara California and it was delicious, They also make a Chardonnay which should cost around 25USD in the US . Their wines are made in the Burgundy style
I know several people who turned off on Chard because the classic BIG Napa Chard with a stick of butter and a side order of lumber...well they did not like that and moved on. The trouble with swearing off a grape varietal is that time passes on and oak barrels are way expensive now. Also there is a "food wine" movement. A lot of Chardonnay grapes are being picked a bit earlier which means a bit higher acid, more friendly to food, and just a kiss of oak because of cost. So now we have a lot of refreshing Chards. Do I still love the BIG Chards? Yes but they are much harder to find.
Thanks for the note Mark. I love your description fo the big napa chardonnay. I agree that we should avoid swearing off a grape varietal and Chardonnay is definitely one to apply that to.
Try Diatom by Greg Brewer, a terrific entry level chardonnay for under $25.
Thanks for the suggestion Donald, I have to agree. Just did a video on it and will be buying it again.
ua-cam.com/video/FiUwPcU0Q_E/v-deo.html
I had a tasting at Wente and was pleasantly surprised with their wines (was expecting house wine/ supermarket wine quality). Crowd pleaser with some dimension. The staff was super nice too.
Thanks for sharing the experience. Crowd pleaser with some dimension - I might use that one day in a video!
I just had a 2021 Pinot Noir from Au Bon Climat from Santa Barbara California and it was delicious, They also make a Chardonnay which should cost around 25USD in the US . Their wines are made in the Burgundy style
I see their wines in lots of places but haven't ever been compelled to try them. Might do so now :)
I know several people who turned off on Chard because the classic BIG Napa Chard with a stick of butter and a side order of lumber...well they did not like that and moved on. The trouble with swearing off a grape varietal is that time passes on and oak barrels are way expensive now. Also there is a "food wine" movement. A lot of Chardonnay grapes are being picked a bit earlier which means a bit higher acid, more friendly to food, and just a kiss of oak because of cost. So now we have a lot of refreshing Chards. Do I still love the BIG Chards? Yes but they are much harder to find.
Thanks for the note Mark. I love your description fo the big napa chardonnay. I agree that we should avoid swearing off a grape varietal and Chardonnay is definitely one to apply that to.
Worst Chards ?? Would be fun
It's coming, I feel it! Unlike Cabernet Sauvignon though, I don't have a core group I hate so it will take a bit more thought.