Can’t Get Away from Chardonnay

By / Wine + Drinks / February 12th, 2014 / 2

It’s the grape I love to hate, yet each year I find myself liking more and more of them. It’s a dichotomy I have to live with. I declare that I am an ABCer (Anything But Chardonnay) yet I know I’m going to score at least a dozen every year as amazing.

Chardonnay is one of those wines in which most people know what they don’t like; but can’t quite put their finger on what it is they do like: is it the butter, the vanilla, the peach, the apple or is it something undefinable? But you know it when you taste it.

For parties and gift giving Chardonnay is the safest bet … it’s well known and when you hear your hosts are “white wine drinkers” it’s easy to gravitate towards it.

It’s easily recognizable yet hard to get a handle on – check out these Chardonnays that have crossed my radar over the past 3 months … I just know this list will grow as the year progresses.

 Leaning Post 2012 Chardonnay (Ontario) – $35.00

This is one of those unexplainable Chards; 13 months in barrel, on lees, with no stirring and that has given the wine a certain ‘je-ne-said-quoi’. Buttery with cinnamon, vanilla and pineapple puree notes. Complex and delicious

 Alamos 2013 Chardonnay (Argentina) – $13.95

one of the better Chards in this release: apple and pineapple notes with hints of spiced vanilla; good value.

De Morgenzon 2012 DMZ Chardonnay (South Africa) – $14.95

Subtle pineapple and some spice on the nose; palate has peach with a touch of vanilla-spice; nicely balanced.

Dirty Laundry 2012 Not So Knotty Chardonnay (British Columbia) – $26.95

Pear with floral notes on the nose; and has a pleasantly exotic palate.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is an award-winning journalist: Promoting the Promoters Award Cuvée 2010 and Ontario Wine Awards Journalist of the Year 2012.  He is also a national and international wine judge - Ontario Wine Awards, All Canadian Wine Championships; Best of Riesling — Germany; Essencia do Vinho — "Top Wines of Portugal".  He is currently the President of the Wine Writers Circle of Canada and the wine columnist for Ottawa Life and Grand magazine as well as regular contributor to Tidings, and Grapevine ... his reviews have also appeared in the LCBO Vintages magazine. Michael has also added a YouTube channel to his activities where he reviews bottles of great Ontario wine on a weekly basis. In whatever he does, it is Michael’s desire to educate, inspire and encourage others to grow their own love and enthusiasm for wine – and to realize that it is their palate that ultimately makes the decision.

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