Chardonnay is a varietal of white wine renowned for its refreshing crispness. The light, fruity notes typical to this grape lend themselves to the warm summer air. Yet chardonnay also possesses a great malleability, meaning that it can take on many different flavor profiles depending on how and where it was produced. For instance, some winemakers like to introduce smokey tones to chardonnay. While that might uncover some elements of the grape that you hadn’t previously considered, it’s not necessarily what you want to sip on to get through a hot, sunny day. As you enjoy the dog days of August, consider these fine specimens of wondrous white to bring out the best of the season. The chardonnay grape was among the first to be commercially produced in the eastern United States. It was in the fertile regions surrounding upstate New York’s bucolic Finger Lakes that this style really took [...]
Killer Cabs For Less
Have I told you lately how much I love Cabernet Sauvignon? Well I’m going to assume that its been at least a little while, so allow me to refresh your memory: as someone coming from the West Coast, it is my preferred varietal of wine—bar none. It helps that California has access to some of the finest Cabs in the known universe. But more importantly, for my money, this style of vino simply comes correct with the biggest flavor. Boisterous bursts of black fruit, oak, and lip-puckering tannins; this is the wine that makes me feel the most alive! Rising in prominence during the 17th century in southwestern France, the relative ease with which the grape can grow has made it popular throughout most major growing regions of the world. Hundreds of years later, however, after the famed 1976 Judgment of Paris, California Cabs lept onto the international stage with [...]
Wine Tip of the Week: Albariňo
Meet Albariňo (pronounced Al-ba-REEN-yo) – the most fashionable white grape in Spain. This thick-skinned, white grape is capable of many things – though it is most popularly known as a light and zesty white wine full of minerals and a slight effervescence. When fully ripe, the grape gives strong flavors of apricot and peach, and a more substantial feel. In Spain, the grape is most commonly grown in Rias Baixas DO; in Portugal, under the title Alvarinho (Al-va-REEN-yo), it is most commonly grown in Vinho Verde DO. Many other parts of the world such as Australia and California have also started producing unique expressions of Albariňo themselves. This grape has an endearing way of capturing the flavors of its environment; call it terroir. Albariňo is a high acid grape that can be enjoyed on its own or with foods such as salads, shellfish, vegetables or light chicken dishes. As always, [...]
What The $%&@ is Terroir?
The Planet is Talking to You Through Your Drink By Corey Hill Grapes have a lot to say. They will tell you about where they live, about how well they’re being cared for, and what the weather’s like. Maybe they will even tell you about their neighbors: the eucalyptus tree living nearby, the weevils squirming in the dirt. Through wine, the grapes craft a narrative of their lives. When you put a glass to your lips, you are drinking their stories. That’s terroir.
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