One is 90% Chardonnay and 10% Sauvignon Blanc and the other is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Chardonnay/SB blend is actually refreshing and delicious with a crisp refreshing finish. Pizzorno Sparkling Wine  90% chardonnay 10% Sauvignon Blanc. Pizzorno Reserve Sparkling  50/50 chardonnay and pinot Noir 2010.

The 2006 Colet-Navazos Reserva Extra Brut is a sparkling Chardonnay and at disgorgement the wine is topped up with Manzanilla - specifically La Bota Nº 22, if I am not mistaken. Not too long ago I had the pleasure of eating dinner at Fu Leen, the seafood restaurant in Manhattan's Chinatown. my stars. Then came the Palmas.

The first time I tried this wine in 2009, this Chardonnay from the Ferragamo family's Tuscan vineyards, Il Borro had a pale yellow color. Notes - The Chardonnay grapes for ‘Lamelle’ are carefully selected from vineyards within the Il Borro Estate in San Giustino Val d’Arno in Arezzo. Finishes long but smoothly.

Why, on Christmas even my friend Dan Melia opened an absolutely gorgeous bottle of 2006 Marie-Noëlle Ledru Saignée Rosé , and we drank it with excellent grilled cheese sandwiches and various pickles. This bottle comes entirely from 2008 and is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Well, of the last few months anyway.

recently had a chance to sample a few along with a Chardonnay, Reisling and a Pinot Noir. Marlborough, New Zealand's South Island seems to have a handle on Sauvignon Blanc. Sarah is one of three winemakers at Cloudy Bay (teamed with Tim Heath and Nick Lane) in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand. No traffic lights, no people and 1 coffee shop.”

Our patch of chardonnay just off Old Sonoma Road in Carneros is purring along. Just thinking about the chardonnay these beautiful old vines produce makes my mouth water. 2006 Alban Vineyards "Reva" Estate Syrah * This 16.2% 2006 Turley Wine Cellars Howell Mountain Zinfandel "Rattlesnake Ridge" A whopping 15.9%

What can you say about an excellently turned out Chardonnay? Which brings me back to the Chardonnay. Similar steps are taken to the Chardonnay, save that the berries received a slight "cold soak/semi-maceration took place for 3- 5 days, and pumping over, and manual trampling of the cap during fermentation.

The lanky, California maker of pinot noir, chardonnay, and syrah told me at his Sonoma winery that he had his conversion in 2005, after returning from a trip to Burgundy and the Rhone. The 2005 vintage was lost to frost for many of his wines so the first vintage of the new regime was 2006 (many of the 2008s were lost too, to smoke this time).

What can you say about an excellently turned out Chardonnay? Which brings me back to the Chardonnay. Similar steps are taken to the Chardonnay, save that the berries received a slight "cold soak/semi-maceration took place for 3- 5 days, and pumping over, and manual trampling of the cap during fermentation.

Chardonnay is barrel fermented and the reds undergo extended masceration periods (25 - 35 days) to allow for a more natural balance of fruit and tannins, then pumped over at least twice a day. 1 - 3L 2006. So you know all about the e-auction that opens May 29, 2011 in alignment with the Auction Napa Valley 2011, yes? Dinner for 6.

Bodegas Roda Reserva 2006. Style note: Immediately impressive 2006 right out of the bottle - no need for decanting though it is just as delicious the next day. 2006 Castelgiocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) Brunello di Montalcino. 2008 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay. Drink now to 2025. light gold color.

We first tasted a flight of un-oaked whites, all Assyrtiko, and all from the 2010 vintage except for the Sigalas Santorini 2006, which we tasted against the Sigalos 2006. The 2006 was incredible - bone dry and mineral, with the years intensifying the flavors. Wines from Santorini. The next flight of five wines were oaked.

It is almost a Blanc de Noirs - 57% Meunier, 38% Pinot, and 5% Chardonnay. The current release is based on the lovely 2006 vintage, and it feels substantial and ripe, and entirely under control, very fresh. This time of year there are a load of trade tastings, and even if like me, you only go to a few of them, you hear things. cases.

The morning began with an introduction by vivacious Master Sommelier Evan Goldsmith -- and then a tasting of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from his collection of site-specific bottlings from Sonoma and Mendocino counties ($30-$60 SRP). For the duck I liked ALL the reds -- with my favorite match being the 2006 Torbreck RunRig Shiraz.

White wine varietals that are receptive to oak’s influence include: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and of course Chardonnay. It’s only been since 2006, that oak chips have been legally permitted for use in Old World winemaking practices. Which Wines are Typically Oaked? Why Oak Wine? Where is the barrel from?

Actually, the word 'cool' is clever as it describes two clear facts about this Chardonnay: it is cool climate (read Burgundian cool) and the idea of a Canadian Chardonnay is, well, cool. Huff Blancs de Blancs 2006. Pillitteri Estates Winery Exclamation Cellar Series 2006. Huff Blancs de Blancs 2006. and Icewine.&#.

The Inniskillin winery itself was created in 1975 by Donald Ziraldo and Karl Kaiser, across the street on 32 acres of Riesling, Chardonnay, and Gamay. In 1982, the Montague Vineyard, 50 acres adjacent to the Niagara District Airport, was acquired and produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio.

My best Rosé - Heron Hill Cabernet Franc Dry Rosé 2006. Best Red wine - Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva 2006. My fault for always believing the only descent white wines from France were Chardonnay and Champagne. Here at home, I guess eventful would be saying it a tad mildly. Both happening during the snowiest part of the year.

Nicholas and I sit on the white leather sofa, looking out through the floor to ceiling windows at the vineyards, and talk as we sip Chandon Baron B sparkling wine, a delicious, rich gold sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes that get much of its color from resting 3-4 months on the lees (dead yeast cells). Pony Escapes!

Grape varieties include Chardonnay (60%, On October 26, the soave Riccardo Ricci Curbastro came to New York to welcome the addition of his sparkling wines to the Domenico Valentino portfolio at I Trulli Ristorante. During the lunch we tried three of the wines -- Franciacorta Brut NV, Brut Rose NV, and Extra Brute 2006.

This Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, shows big fruit flavors of apple, pear, peach, pineapple, rich butter pecan ice cream, a little oak, and honey on the roof of the mouth.

Do you like Greek wines? do … they come in a variety of styles and price points and pair well with a wide variety of food. Typically they are also a very good value for the money, especially when it comes to reserve wines where you can still get a 1997 red with full development for just over $20.

buttery Chardonnay? Chateau de Sancerre 2006, Sancerre AOC This Sauvignon Blanc is a classic from France’s Loire Valley. Tags: Columns News Wine reviews brancott sauvignon blanc 2007 chateau de sancerre 2006 kunde estate sauvignon blanc 2007 sancerre a0c What do you recommend?” If you were the clerk, what would you advise?

Edward Behr in his Art of Eating number 72, 2006 devoted to the Jura suggested that it was a version or strain of chardonnay. The way he wrote it led me to think that it was in fact chardonnay. There is of course plenty of "regular" chardonnay grown in the Jura, which he wrote about at length. What is Melon-Queue-Rouge?

have since tasted a Monthaven Chardonnay (California) and this past week the Silver Birch Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand). The Chardonnay was not impressive. Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. Definitely a good party wine.

Mumm, who joined the house in 2006 at the age of 35. Lalou Vintage 1998 is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (50/50) with the Chardonnay coming from the vineyard parcels of les Briquettes, les Bionnes, and la Croix de Cramant. “We front row girls only go for the best!” didn’t realize until reading the literature that G.H.

Mumm, who joined the house in 2006 at the age of 35. Lalou Vintage 1998 is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (50/50) with the Chardonnay coming from the vineyard parcels of les Briquettes, les Bionnes, and la Croix de Cramant. “We front row girls only go for the best!” didn’t realize until reading the literature that G.H.

Mumm, who joined the house in 2006 at the age of 35. Lalou Vintage 1998 is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (50/50) with the Chardonnay coming from the vineyard parcels of les Briquettes, les Bionnes, and la Croix de Cramant. “We front row girls only go for the best!” didn’t realize until reading the literature that G.H.

Mumm, who joined the house in 2006 at the age of 35. Lalou Vintage 1998 is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (50/50) with the Chardonnay coming from the vineyard parcels of les Briquettes, les Bionnes, and la Croix de Cramant. “We front row girls only go for the best!” didn’t realize until reading the literature that G.H.

Wine friends, I’ve been obsessed with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir since my visit to Burgundy to take part in the Les Grand Jours De Bourgogne – a very exciting week in the lives of journalists and trade professionals, and of course the winemakers throughout Burgundy. 10th Edition Les Grands Jours De Bourgogne. chablis room. Tropez.

Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”. Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”. alcohol Chardonnay! Assuming, that is, that the Chardonnay on the menu was made by Ulises Valdez–there is no mention of the wine on his website , but there is a 2007 Ulises Valdez Chardonnay made by Paul Hobbs.)

In 1973 he and his brother worked the land and sold their first vintage--157 cases of 1973 Chardonnay - to Phil Faight of Groezinger's Wine Shop in Yountville who in turn sold to a small audience of premium wine drinkers who visited Napa on weekends. "So what did the first winery look like?" cakebread cake.

Now this is a relatively new region producing quality wines, among them Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and "Yarden Rom" which is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot (percentages depending on the vintage), aged in French oak barrels for roughly 21 months and bottled without filtration.

In the grower corner, I poured the Vilmart Grand Cellier, a multivintage wine (but based on 2006), a blend of 70 percent chardonnay and 30 percent pinot noir, all organically farmed on the 26 acres. That was a question I confronted head-on last week. So I brought two Champagnes and poured them blind. and a lovely arc.

So in December 2006, they opened Thirst Wine Merchant. When I stopped by last month, Michael was there and a $13 natural chardonnay from the Languedoc was being poured in the store. A couple of months ago, we had a discussion about what makes a great, independent wine shop. John label in the East Bay. 718.596.7643. Saturday 10–10.

The 2006 Domaine William Fèvre Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos , about $80, this wine is a sample donated by Henriot Inc. We had a bunch of people over for dinner this weekend for Chablis night. We pulled out all the stops - had the living room re-done with shag carpeting, disco balls, velour shirts, and big jugs of California white wine.

The Reserve Chardonnay 2008 had excellent concentration of fruit and ripe, succulent flavors, while the 2008 Chardonnay had New World Finesse and good structural integration. As a Californian, I was incredibly loyal to my native state and spent many long, sun-soaked weekends checking out all the new wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley.

2006 William Fèvre Chablis 1er Cru Montmains , $30-35, Imported by Henriot, Inc. 2006 wasn't supposed to be such a great vintage in Chablis, from what I've heard. Lemony, stony chardonnay fruit on the palate, a lot of sappy raw material still, but good intensity without being clunky. It would be like trying to make sushi.

Here are some of my quick tasting notes: Lot 108 Napa Valley Chardonnay 2007 $14 Apple, pineapple, lemon rind and pear aromas with lemon verbena and grapefruit on a creamy fresh finish. Lot 159 Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2008: new release $14 Musky aromas, citrus, creamy oak. To me they were all great value wines.

2006 Paolo Bea Arboreus Umbri Bianco , $66, Neal Rosenthal Imports. assumed it was Savagin, but Sophie told us that it is Chardonnay in 2001. I'm starting to believe in the influence of lunar cycles on wine. I'm talking about what I'm finding regarding the days when wine shows well and when it doesn't. And there have been exceptions.

They also produce a barrel fermented Chardonnay and a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon named after the winery's founder, Don Melchor. It's been a few years since I tasted Carmenere. If I remember right, it was a take it or leave it, nothing special, too many other fine wines, don't shop for wine. The first was disappointing.

The other white was a Pannobile Chardonnay that I thought was completely overwhelmed by vanilla oaky aromas. I was lucky enough to be invited to the recent Blaufränkisch tasting and luncheon at Gramercy Tavern, organized by David Schildnecht. This was a challenging tasting for me. was a clean slate. It should cost about $30.

was lucky enough to do this a few times last week with Peter Liem , and I want to share a bit: (1999) Tarlant Champagne La Vigne d'Antan Extra Brut Non-Grefée Chardonnay , $65, Imported by Jon-David Headrick Selections. The back label gives the disgorgement date - February 23, 2006, but not the vintage. don't understand it. want more.

I'll just say it: I'm not a fan of late harvest zinfandel. So this 2007 Late Harvest Dusi Ranch is the only wine from Ridge I couldn't really get into this year. On the bright side, Ridge has instituted a new membership log-in to streamline purchases online. Thank baby Jesus, too.

Other than an occasional Chardonnay, it was red wine only for me. Best White: Many good Finger Lakes Riesling's and Gewurzt's, but best white tied between a CA Chardonnay from Clos du Bois the Calcaire and the Michael Shaps 2006 Viognier from the King Family Vineyards in Virginia. was afraid to open them.

If the drinker feels "this is so very much about Chardonnay," that's probably not what the wine maker was going for. The current release is 2006, I believe. For me, with brunch on Christmas morning and then savored with BrooklynLady over the rest of the afternoon, this wine was a glorious expression of Chardonnay.

For din-din I opened a Domaine Drouhin Cuvee Laurène 2006 We had received this as a gift from our friends in Portland who praised it and despite its young age, I couldn't resist. Another Oregon wine lending credence to the greatness of the 2006 vintage? And I almost enjoyed this more before dinner than during. Yes, that's one word.)

2006 Riesling, Brooks “Ara”, Wilamette Valley, Oregon. ? Sparkling Chardonnay, Thibaut Janisson Brut, Monticello, Virginia. ? Right now, at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Dr. Manmohan Singh, prime minister of India, is being feted at a state dinner! alcohol, not exactly my recipe for good times with green curry. Potato and Eggplant Salad.

The breakdown was 5 flights of 4 each of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay (unoaked), Chardonnay (oaked), Merlot and Cabernet Franc. This past week the Long Island Wine Council sponsored a seminar and blind tasting of its wines to compare them with others from international regions. So, here we go.

The Lassaigne estate is located in Montgueux, a large chalky hill whose vineyards produce what many consider to be the finest Chardonnay grapes in the Aube. This place, known as the Montrachet of Champagne, is an island of Chardonnay in a sea of Pinot Noir. blend of grapes from 8 parcels, this version is 72% 2006, the rest 2005.

The  2006 Pagani Ranch Zinfandel ** (with 7% alicante bouschet, 3% petite sirah, and 2% carignane,) is a silky young zinfandel with briar patch and strawberry notes on the mid-palate and mild black spice on the finish ("the alicante and a small amount of zinfandel co-fermented with a floating cap to better stabilize alicante's intense color"). 

So I opened the 2006 Tablas Creek Grenache (mmmmm, grenache.) Innocent Anden Vineyard Chardonnay Gold color. 2006 Lail "Georgia" Sauvignon Blanc Not going to make that mistake again. 2003 Kistler Chardonnay McCrea Vineyard ooooh, geez, ahh, this is Salma Hayek in a glass. as well. It's hard to get right. Mostly, not.

We ate these heirlooms with a very fine bottle of white Provence wine, the 2006 Domaine Henri Milan Vin de Table Le Grand Blanc , about $30, Imported by Meilleurs Vins de Provence and Domaine Select Wine & Estates. Le Grand Blanc is a blend of 30% Grenache Gris, 30% Chardonnay, 20% Roussanne, 10% Muscat, and 10% Rolle (aka Vermentino).

Winter-Spring 2009 Cult Wine Release Schedule with pricing (where available) January Ridge Monte Bello 2007 $125 Quilceda Creek 2005 $140 Kistler 2006 avg. 85 Sloan 2005 $1100/3-pack OWC Blankiet 2006 $185 (old vintages of this wine sell for $85. Why would anyone purchase the 2006 as a future release for 250% of the 2001?)

Shiraz and Chardonnay account for half of the vineyard acres planted in Australia. Rossignol-Trapet, Bourgogne rouge, 2006. For a quick taste of how the other half drinks, check out a piece that I wrote for Forbes.com. And if you’re feeling summery, surf on over to the James Beard blog for five of my summer wine picks.

Here are some that moved me, along with a few impressions: 1995 Mount Eden Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - if California wine tasted like this, I would drink lots of California wine. Not as meaty as the 2006, but more elegant. I was lucky enough to be invited to Keith Levenberg 's BBQ again this year. Top notch wine. lved them both.

2005 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River. 2006 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay, Adelaide Hills. 2006 By Farr Sangreal Pinot Noir, Geelong. 2006 Henschke Mt Edelstone Shiraz, Eden Valley. 2006 Glaetzer Anaperenna Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa Valley. 2006 S.C. Day One.

The current release includes: 2007 Sonoma County Chardonnay 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Gris 2007 Brousseau Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 Booker Vineyard Paso Robles Grenache (mmmm.Grenache.) and a 2006 Sonoma Coast Syrah Prices range from $32 to $45, about 30% less than Pax Wine Cellars.

I am just going to begin by saying the Clos Du Bois Calcaire 2006 is probably the best Chardonnay I have ever had. Now I'll qualify that statement by saying I do not do white wine that often and that over the years have had probably less or near 100 different Chardonnays and that is really not that many. Drink now through 2011."

Also tasted: 2004 Kongsgaard Chardonnay Napa Valley Lush, full-bodied, a touch sweet, with underlying salty minerality reminiscent of young German riesling. Tags: 2004 Central California 2006 1988 3 stars Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello Napa Valley 4 stars This wine put the 1989 to shame. Oppulently opaque, but this is most likely mature.

Difficult to compare to recent vintages (which have all included at least some cabernet franc or petit verdot) this is less flamboyant than the 2006 and 2007, and will benefit from extended cellaring. This chardonnay, like Eric's previous two vintages, is impossible to resist. There is no short answer. All are superb.

Chardonnay in his hands is really just a vehicle for expressing soil. His 2007 Fleur de Chardonnay comes from 45 year old vines on chalky, rocky soil. 2006 Chardonnay La Reine is from deep red clay soils and is the most citric of the lineup, with clean grapefruit flavors. And they are quite different from one another.

2006 Domaine Oudin Chablis Les Serres , $22, Jenny & François Selections. The 2006 is a beautiful wine, an attention grabber. 2006 was a warm year in Chablis and I've had several wines that are flabbier than usual. The nerve on him! hectare) and Vaucopins (.40 hectare), the latter of which is not imported to the US.

The Cotes de Jura Chardonnay 2006 is matured in neutral oak barrels and has a vein of minerality so rich it would out Chablis out of business if the world craved minerally chardonnay. Oxidative wines are an essential wine tasting reference point. should receive a little love here too. And why not a vin jaune from the Jura?

I've had graceful and complex Oregon Pinot Noir, energetic and resonant Long Island Cabernet Sauvignon, and balanced and delicious California Chardonnay. I was happy to read Aric Asimov's article about what he calls a "rebellion" in California Pinot Noir. This rebellion notwithstanding, the problem for consumers continues to be one of price.

Their Chardonnay ** and second red wine, called Salus ** were also very good. apparently beat me to it) but the 2006 Jack Larkin Merlot should be on the list of hot new wines from Napa. Tags: 2 stars USA 2006 3 stars 1 star 2005 Napa Valley Welcome Napa Valley Vintners! Yes, it’s cold and dreary in New York. didn’t even try.

This version is, anyway, which I am guessing is based on 2005 grapes, bottled in 2006, and disgorged in August of 2008 based on the hard-to-spot code on the back label that reads "08 2008." This wine is 85% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay, using 30% reserve wines. NV Benoît Lahaye Brut , $40, Jeffrey Alpert Selections. haven't.

It loosely depicts the events of the Paris tasting of 1976 when a Chateau Montelena Chardonnay and a Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon surprised the wine world by beating their French peers in a blind tasting. Two years prior, in 2006, Little Miss Sunshine had been scooped up and rose to Oscar heights.

STARMONT Merryvale, 2006 Napa Merlot -$24 Popcorn. 2007 STARMONT Merrvale Napa Chardonnay- $20 Beer. I've been good natured about mostly neglecting to review unbidden samples. Instead of spending energy knocking the ones that upset me, I pawn them off on unsuspecting neighbors. thought why not? Give them a whirl. Sawdust. Sugar dust.

This weekend at The Boston Wine Expo Gary Grunner, from Grapes On The Go, exhibited the following Italian wines from the Ferragamo family's Tuscan vineyards, Il Borro and Castiglion Del Bosco: Il Borro Lamelle Chardonnay 2006 IGT ??This Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity.?? Castiglion Del Bosco Dainero 2004 IGT??

home : wine recommendations : wine girl for hire : bio : articles : contact « Wine and Indian Cuisine: Curing the pairing panic | Main | Chardonnay Series: Part Two » Chardonnay Series: One Way To Torture Alice? Part One January 15, 2009 Assign her a story on California Chardonnay and tell her its good for her.

It would be far too easy to choose the 2006 Clos Roche Blanche Cot or the 2007 Gamay or a Breton and so I thought, nothing. And if someone tries to poach it from them (importers, beware) I will come and throw oaky chardonnay all over their fine wool suits or Wolford body stockings. Main | Abe on Pinot Grigio and a Call From Ethel.

The six wines I tasted were: Il Borro Lamelle Chardonnay 2006 IGT This Chardonnay has a pale yellow color, fruity rich aromas of apple and peach with notes of floral & lemon. Notes - The Chardonnay grapes for ‘Lamelle’ are carefully selected from vineyards within the Il Borro Estate in San Giustino Val d’Arno in Arezzo.

This Chardonnay has a pale yellow color, fruity rich aromas of apple and peach with notes of floral & lemon. Notes - The Chardonnay grapes for ‘Lamelle' are carefully selected from vineyards within the Il Borro Estate in San Giustino Val d'Arno in Arezzo. Flavors of pear and vanilla balanced with nice acidity.

Those were a Seavey cabernet and a Hansell chardonnay I purchased at Scotto's Wine Cellar nearby before we left. 2006 Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay (by Concha y Toro) D.O. 2006 Walter Hansell Russian River Valley Chardonnay ** Another big wine, this one from the RRV, with golden fruits. 2006 M.

While at the other end of the wine sophistication spectrum, the 2005 Yarden Katzrin Chardonnay is a BIG golden chardonnay with toffee, caramel, nutty aromas and a creamy palate that finishes long with all sorts of complexities. A wine I had been looking forward to trying and was rewarded with was the 2006 Galil Mountain Barbera. 

Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley "Special Selection" 2006 ** Reminded me of the 2004 Shafer Hillside Select in its concentration and subtlety. DuMOL "Clare" Chardonnay 2006 ** DuMOL is one of my favorites every year, and meeting Kerry Murphy and his wife for the first time was a blast. love their events. Very fine. Lail "J.

tasted the Artemis cabernet sauvignon and Karia chardonnay only briefly. I visited Sherry Lehmann yesterday to meet Warren Winarski of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. It goes without saying that Warren is a legendary Napa producer and that I was very excited to meet him. The 2004 S.L.V. and Fay Vineyard wines are deep and rich with mild spices.

This 2006 Macon-Lugny "Les Charmes" Chardonnay * from Cave de Lugny was like a coil of ripe sweet grapefruit. good value from Burgundy for a light chardonnay to serve at dinner.

The 2006 of Dumol's "Lia," a Russian River Valley Viognier was super: rich and ripe fruit, tight body, good length. The 2003 Kistler "Dutton Ranch" Russian River Valley Chardonnay was a pale gold color, with petrol and a little rubbery funk on the nose that dissipated as the wine opened up to reveal lemon meringue pie and custard notes.

Pascal Renaudat achieved this tour de force in 2006 when he convinced 13,000 winegrowers throughout France to start working together on Chamarré. light Chardonnay , not overly oaked and slighty fruit-forward is a perfect pairing to that. try the Chamarré Grande Réserve Chardonnay! Chamarré's history is a series of firsts.

Light bodied and mellow, for the "i don't drink chardonnay" crowd. Pale yellow gold. Lemon citrus at first; later, honeydue and tropical fruits. An all around pleaser that won't break the bank. Good value

Of the 4 whites, 1 was a Chardonnay, 2 were blends (both were 80% "Macabeo" [AKA Viora & often used in Spanish sparkling wine or "CAVA"] & 20% Chardonnay) and the 4th was a beautiful bone dry Muscat. The Chardonnay, the 2007 Aragus Campo de Borja was unoaked and had a very lite yellow/straw color. But I found out today.

White Rocket Wine Company Unearths a Treasure in Geode for Millennial Generation Chardonnay Drinkers NAPA, Calif.--(BUSINESS Geode is crafted from vineyards in Santa Barbara County, a classic growing region whose stellar Chardonnays are universally recognized for superior quality. Maybe a vindaloo will cool me down. Hell no. Buy me!

After several tastings with bride and groom, we decided on the following for the rehearsal dinner: 2006 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet , $12, (Louis/Dressner Selections). For the wedding: 2006 Domaine de la Fruitiere Jardin de la Fruitiere , $9 (JD Headrick Imports). 2006 Château d'Oupia Minervois , $10, (Louis/Dressner Selections).

The Puzelats grow Pinot Noir, Gamay, Côt (called Malbec in Argentina), Bréton (called Cabernet Franc in the film Sideways ), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris (called Pinot Grigio in Italy), and the rarely seen Pineau D'Aunis and Menu Pineau (called Arbois in the Jura). 2006 Clos du Toe-Boeuf Le Brin de Chèvre , $18. It works.

Domaine Mathieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006 (blanc) * Lovely sweet aromas of petrol (sounds strange, right?) This is the second, and last, bottle of Santorini wine I brought back in 2006. Rita Hills Chardonnay "Seasmoke" 2005 * Awesome. It's been a crazy week, sort of. Listed in no particular order. Very enjoyable summer wine.

According to Oz Clarke , wines that are designated as Roussette de Savoie AOC are blended with up to 50% chardonnay, although those marked specifically as "Altesse," as this was, will be made from this grape only. This was sumptuous, and hard to define. Both lively and ample, with floral notes, dried apricots, kiwi, quince, and toast.

The Chardonnays are quite good, but the wines that stopped me in my tracks were the blends. The 2007 Mosaico , for example, is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Muscat, Gewurtztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Friulano.but all from one specific vineyard site - the Sylvanus Vineyard on their estate in Bridgehampton. Where is the soil?

Just a few quick things while I get myself together and write a real post: Had the 2006 Château d'Oupia this weekend. Had the 2006 Domaine de la Fruitière VdP de la Loire Jardin de la Fruitière this weekend. Had the 2006 Comptoirs de Magdala Côtes de Provence Escapade this weekend. rhetorical question, of course. Under $10!

The focus of the event was Pinot Noir & Chardonnay from about 12-15 Monterey producers, with representatives from four wineries who presented one of their Pinot Noirs. Among the standouts were the 2006 "Hat Trick" Pinot by Morgan winery that had an interesting menthol/eucalyptus thing going on (but retails for about $50). 

This Chardonnay is a tasty wine from the Golan Heights in Israel. It is the color of pale gold and has an aroma of flowers, with a hint of banana. Pear and citrus with a bit of oak permeate the palate and leave me with a buttery finish of vanilla ice cream and spiced apples. don't read Hebrew but I believe this wine is Kosher

invited me to try a Washington state Chardonnay with him along with some shrimp cocktail -- it was a perfect match, not to mention refreshing. At his cabana at the beach this afternoon my friend (thanks Mark!) Not usually a big white wine fan, this one was one I could drink easily and the price is right, about $13.

A winery owned and run by the Michlits family, I tasted two of their 2006 wines with the winemaker.  But it was the 2006 Michlits Blaufrankish that really made me think.  The 2006 Viognier was nice and crisp with fresh floral accents.  There was lots of good food, good wine & happy people. But it wasn't all perfect. 

While I was told that the 2007 vintage was an excellent vintage for German Riesling, I must admit that I was not blown away by any of the newer wines (which included wines from 2005 & 2006). As to the standouts, the first I want to mention was the Winkels-Herding Winery 2006 Late Harvest Gewrtztraminer. That is all for now.

Lets take a place like Newton -- their unfiltered chardonnay -- not sure if you have had it. The Newton and Ridge Chardonnays are the only CA Chards I still buy -- and only 4-6 bottles a year -- as I tend to agree there are better white wines from France and better values as well. » Q & A With Alice F. Why is that? Are you a cow?"

For example, consider one of the white wines recommended by Ben Hagan at Slope Cellars, the 2006 Jardin de la Fruitière. 50-50 blend of Chardonnay and Melon de Bourgogne (the Muscadet grape), this wine is fresh and crisp, lively and well balanced. On Monday I posted a list of wines that cost $14 or less , about $15 including NYS tax.

started with a white blend of 50% Semillon & 50% chardonnay that I really enjoyed. There were only 2 wines, a Chardonnay and a bordeaux blend. The 2006 Chardonnay spends 3 months "Sue Lie" (on its lees or mixture of yeast cells, grape pulp, etc), gets filtered, and then goes back into the French oak barrels for another 7-8 months.

Ben Hagan, one of the wine buyers at Slope Cellars in Park Slope, Brooklyn recommends (Slope Cellars prices listed) : Whites: 2006 Caves de Saumur Saumur Les Pouches, $13, LVDH Imports (100% Chenin Blanc). 2006 Caves de Saumur Saumur Les Epinots, $13, LVDH Imports. 2006 La Sera Barbera "Il Falo," Piedmonte, $11, Matt Brothers Imports.