Best White: Frontera Sauvignon Blanc
courtesy of Marketview Liquors
Region: Chile | ABV: 12.5% | Tasting Notes: Lemon peel, Tropical fruit, Green apple
Bright, young, and fresh, this summery Sav Blanc has its zippy roots in Chiles Central Valley, where the grapes have a mineral exuberance. Its a crisp sip with citrusy, snappy appeal, hints of tropical fruit, and a clean finish that makes it a match for all sorts of light picnic foods. This ones a refreshing bargain.
Bogle Phantom Chardonnay 2019
This is a spooky good buttery Chardonnay =). Hailing from Clarksburg , Bogle Phantom has aromas of lemon, lime, butter, and oak.
The flavors are creamy pineapple, pear, peach, and other tropical flavors with notes of melted caramel and vanilla. This wine is perfect for those who like their buttery Chardonnays on the smooth and creamier side.
Let’s Take A Closer Look
What makes two Chardonnays different from one another? Well, before a bright and distinctive bottle of Barefoot lands on the shelf at your favourite retailer, there are multiple layers of hard work and dedication that create the delicious wine you sip. By switching up the process, our expert winemakers can conjure up distinctive Chardonnays to suit everyones taste. How does our new Barefoot Buttery Chardonnay and our traditional drop differ?
Also Check: What’s Good Red Wine
Maggy Hawk Skycrest Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
From Anderson Valley in Mendocino County, this small-production wine serves a high-definition expression of Chardonnay. A creamy nose suggests it went through full or partial malolactic fermentation, and the sweet scent marries nicely with stone fruit scents and a hint of white pepper. Acidity, alcohol, and fruit character land in equal proportions on the palate. Average price: $60. Rating: 90.
Shannon Ridge High Elevation Chardonnay 2020
From Lake County, Calif., this is an austere, fruity Chardonnay. Pear springs out on the nose, followed by muted mineral notes. The palate is soft and dry, and once again gives center stage to orchard fruit. Stick this refreshing wine in the cooler for your next picnic. Average price: $23. Rating: 88.
Read Also: Is Stella Rosa Wine Keto Friendly
Domaine Skouras Almyra Chardonnay 2020
Greece has gifted the world some exceptional native white varieties but this Chardonnay from Domaine Skouras deserves a slight detour from that path. Clean and focused, its fruit character spans citrus pith, pink grapefruit, and underripe white peaches. Those notes arrive concentrated on the palate, with a refreshing spray of citrus providing a zesty crescendo. Average price: $20. Rating: 90.
Au Bon Climat Los Alamos Chardonnay
This is the perfect buttery Chardonnay to bring to a dinner party. Even if your fellow guests think they dont like oaked Chardonnays, theyll quickly appreciate how wonderfully it pairs with everything from cheese boards to light mains. Heck, with its viscosity and creamy coconut notes, this would even be good with burgers. Average price: $27.
Also Check: Where Can I Buy Stella Rosa Berry Wine
A Guide To Buttery Chardonnay: Our 11 Best Picks Under $20
If youre a fan of buttery Chardonnay, youre in luck.
In this blog post, we will discuss what buttery Chardonnay is and we will explore what makes a wine buttery. Plus we will recommend eleven of the best buttery Chardonnays under $20.
Keep in mind that buttery Chardonnay is not for everyone. Some people might find it too rich, creamy, or buttery. But if you enjoy these flavors, then this article is for you!
Stuhlmuller Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay
This Sonoma Chardonnay is sleek but rich, with notes of vanilla, baked apple, hazelnut, and perfectly ripe pear. Perfect for a creamy chicken dish or even a B.L.T. if you feel like a high-low pairing. This wine is made with the oldest Chardonnay vines in the Stuhlmuller estate vineyard to lend richness and power. Average price: $48.
Recommended Reading: Does Total Wine Sell Liquor In Nc
Big Buttery Chardonnays That Are Actually Good
Maybe youre roasting a chicken and want a rich white wine pairing. Maybe you love white Burgundy and the beautiful balance of thoughtful oak aging. Maybe you stole sips of your moms buttery, ice-cubed Chardonnay as a teenager and are nostalgic for those flavors.
Whatever the reason youre seeking out a buttery Chardonnay, congratulations! Youve come to the right place. Sure, the ABC Anything but Chardonnay club may still be swinging, but theres nothing wrong with preferring a richer style.
Read on for eight big, buttery Chardonnays that are totally delicious.
Dont Miss: Can Wine Be Shipped To Massachusetts
Chalk Hill Estate Chalk Hill Ava Chardonnay
This wine, made in Sonomas Chalk Hill appellation, has both fruity aromas of crisp apple and orange blossoms as well as fragrances of vanilla and toasted marshmallow. Its creamy and rich on the palate, a product of the malolactic fermentation and the 11 months spent in French and new oak barrels.
Don’t Miss: Where Is Dark Horse Wine Made
Seghesio Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2020
Like a delicious lemon tart, this Chardonnay invites with sweet, zesty, citrus aromas. The similarities between wine and desert continue on its creamy palate, where acidity retains freshness and its 14 percent alcohol content is seamlessly incorporated. This is a standout value pick. Average price: $22. Rating: 90.
The Difference Between Oaked And Unoaked Chardonnay
When it comes to white wine, Chardonnay is the king of dry, but two different styles offer different profiles â oaked and unoaked.
The simple difference is that oaked Chardonnay is aged in oak barrels, while unoaked Chardonnay is aged in stainless-steel tanks and barrels.
While oaked Chardonnay has an oaky, almondy, and toasted flavor, unoaked Chardonnay is fruit-forward with a zesty, mineral edge.
If you like your wines to be lean, minerally, dry, and fruit-forward, a bottle of unoaked Chardonnay is perfect. If you like your wines to be creamy, toasty, and rich, then a bottle of oaked Chardonnay will be better.
When Chardonnay is aged in oak, elements of the oak â woodiness, earthiness â impart flavors into the wine that resemble caramel, cream, and almonds. These flavors give the wine a heavier, creamier palate and finish.
When Chardonnay is aged in stainless steel, it develops fruity flavors unhindered by the wood. The malic acid in unoaked Chardonnay gives it its fruity flavor this acid converts into lactic acid in oaked barrels, which gives it butter qualities.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with a good bottle of Chardonnay, but unoaked is for you if you like crisp minerality and fruity flavors. If you like buttery and toasted flavors, go oaked.
You May Like: What Are The Best Wine Glasses
Heron Hill Classic Chardonnay Unoaked
Heron Hill Winery
One of many wineries in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Heron Hill has tons of notable wines. But the one that fits this list best is their unoaked classic chardonnay. Its bright fruit notesdisplaying cantaloupe or hints of green apple and lemoncommand a fascinating taste worth trying. Pair this wine with seafood, nutty cheeses, or a homemade shrimp scampi. Its impressive profile far surpasses its price!
You May Like: Does Red Wine Affect Gout
Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2020
Sonomas Russian River Valley has proven caliber on the high-quality Chardonnay front, and this expression is a fine example. Ripe and baked stone fruits arrive in luxurious harmony along with the influence of 9 ½ months of French oak aging. Subtle mineral texture on the palate provides the icing on the cake for this classic California Chardonnay. Average price: $35. Rating: 89.
Source: www.lcbo.com
Price- $10.95
Lindemans is among Australias renowned wine brands. Out of their range of wines, Bin 65 is their most well-known wine. Tropical fruit, pear, and a well-balanced hint of nutty oak dominate the scents and flavors. It is a light to medium-bodied Chardonnay and has a crisp, clear finish. It contains 13% alcohol and 9 grams of sugar per liter.
Food Pairings
This wine is ideal for shellfish, poultry, or pasta.
You May Like: How To Store Open Wine
Sebastiani Butterfield Station Chardonnay 2019
Just like the name says youll find a whole lot of butter in this Chardonnay. It hails from Sebastiani, one of the oldest and most well-respected wineries in Sonoma.
The wine has aromas of green apple, pear, lemon, and vanilla with flavors of buttered popcorn, tropical fruits, butterscotch, and oak. Its a full-bodied wine with a velvety mouthfeel and a long buttery finish.
Fess Parker Chardonnay Santa Barbara 2020
This wine has a smooth, creamy texture with a good acidity to it and delightful fruit flavors. It has aromas of ripe apple, pear, and tropical fruits.
The flavors baked apple pie, brioche, creamy pineapple, and butter. It has very good complexity along with a rich intensity. Just a fantastic representation of a creamy and buttery Santa Barbara Chardonnay.
You May Like: Where Can I Buy Mcbride Sisters Wine
Sterling Napa Chardonnay 2018
A delicious Chardonnay with unique notes of orange blossom and chamomile, Sterling Napa Chardonnay 2018 is something special. It is made by Sterling Napa Valley using cool stainless-steel fermentation tanks for a smooth finish.
Aromas of lemon crème, pretzel, vanilla, and lemon give this wine a dessert-like bouquet. Honey almond with green and red apple layers on the palate delivers a sweet character, balanced by bright acidity and a creamy finish.
A light body and oaky notes make this wine perfect with smoked sausage, pizza, grilled chicken, seafood, and light pasta.
Hours In Sonoma County California
chardonnay
Love wine? Us too! Find great White wine deals including our exclusive Black Market selection. These deals are only made possible if we don’t reveal the maker’s brand on site. The wines are the genuine article, absolutely no cleanskins or fake brands, just dangerously good value. Epic deals from $119 – save up to 57%
Also Check: Can Wine Be Shipped To Washington State
Master Sommelier Little Known Big Facts:
- The color of wine depends on the fermentation extracts using skin, like Red wine as compared to white wine, leaving the skin behind
- The oldest bottle of wine dates back to A.D. 325 it was found in Germany inside two Roman sarcophaguses
- The worst place to store wine is usually in the kitchen because its typically too warm, in refrigerators, their warmest setting can be too cold
- Richer heavier foods usually pair well with richer, heavier wines light wines pair with lighter foods
- Generally, a vintage wine is a product of a single years harvest, not when the wine is bottled
- A dumb wine refers to the lack of odor while a numb wine has no odor and no potential of developing a pleasing odor in the feature
- If a server or sommelier hands you a cork, dont smell it, look for the date or other information
- Tannin is a substance that tingles the gums when you indulge your palate with a sip of wine, its an excellent antioxidant
- Smell is by far the most important sense when it comes to drinking wine
- Wine was first developed in Mesopotamia, not France
- French wines are labeled following the soil on which they are produced, not according to the grape used
- When chilling wine, adding salt to ice will cool it down faster
Money No Object Then Here Are The 10 Best Chardonnays Taken From 2020s Global Chardonnay Masters Taking In Outstanding White Wines From South Africa To Saint
Having sampled over 200 wines in December for last years Global Chardonnay Masters, we bring you the highest-scoring wines from the very top end of the price scale the ultimate bottles for when there is no budget.
These are brilliant, if pricy, whites, that draw attention to the worlds top producers of Chardonnay, taking in some established sources of excellence, but also some unexpected areas of greatness.
So, read on, for the 10 ultimate Chardonnays, whatever the cost.
Recommended Reading: Where Can You Buy Wine Online
Black Stallion Estate Winery Heritage Napa Valley Chardonnay 2020
Talk about a steal: This is a barrel-fermented, Napa Valley Chard that comes in at less than $25. Aged for up to seven months in oak, the wine received twice-monthly stirring on lees to enhance its creamy texture. That richness is offset by tropical fruit and flinty aromas, as well as lively acidity. This wine is an exhibition in balance and restraint. Average price: $24. Rating: 89.
The Vincent Board Track Racer Chardonnay 2019
Produced with Chardonnay grapes from Columbia Valley, Washington, The Vincent is a pure expression of Chardonnay with aromas of green apple, kiwi, stone fruit, and hints of Bosc pear with a whiff of minerality.
The acidic, medium-bodied palate delivers an explosion of flavors with tart citrus, bright apple, meringue, and cedar, with a fruity finish.
The minerality shines through on the mid-palate, creating a beautiful balance with the fruitiness.
This wine is perfect with grilled fish and shellfish. The tartness also cuts through cheeses and pastries, making it a good snack option.
Read Also: Where To Buy Expensive Wine
Why Chardonnay Is A Popular Category
Chardonnay is the most planted variety in the U.S. When it comes to sales figures, Cabernet Sauvignon was the number one wine in volume and value in 2020, with $3.2 billion in sales compared to Chardonnays $2.8 billion, according to Nielsen data.
Its a versatile grape with many expressions, from peach and apricot flavors, to wines with tropical flavors. It can be oaked or unoaked, and can be made in styles from simple to rich and complex. Today, many of the bottles on store shelves are much leaner than the rich and oaky Chardonnays of the past. And yet, there are still plenty of wines to be found that offer more than a hint of movie theater popcorn.
I love buttery Chards these days, says Jason Ostrander, a fitness trainer living in New York City. Its nostalgic to the taste that got me into wine in the first place. I had it at a country club in Michigan where I worked and could actually taste fruits and vanilla.
Sonoma Cutrer River Ranches Chardonnay
Its a medium-bodied wine with aromas of tropical fruits, apple, and vanilla. The flavors are a creamy pear and peach with notes of butter, oak, and vanilla. This wine has good zesty citrus flavors with a bright acidity and a creamy mouthfeel.
For those looking for a more well-balanced wine of fruit, acidity, and creaminess.
Also Check: Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne
Rodney Strong Chalk Hill 2019
In 1965, Rodney Strong introduced the first plantings of Chardonnay to the area that would eventually become the Chalk Hill AVA. The producers familiarity with variety and region are clear to appreciate in this rich, oaky, and balanced white. Consider this bottle a dependable, well-priced pick that you can easily find in stores. Average price: $16. Rating: 88.
La Crema Winery Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
If you like your Chardonnay well layered, with fragrances of florals and butterscotch, citrus flavors, and a light touch of oak, then La Cremas Chardonnay is the one for you. Produced from grapes grown in the Sonoma Coast AVA, the wine spends seven months barreled in French, American, and new oak before its bottled and ready to go.
Read Also: How To Get Wine Stains Out Of Jeans
Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay
- Apple, Citrus, Oak, Peach, Pear
- Food Pairing: Cheese – Blue, Cheese – Creamy & Bloomy, Cheese – Fresh & Soft, Cheese – Hard Aged, Cheese – Nutty & Semi-Firm, Cheese – Stinky, Chicken, Cured Meats, Fish – Meaty & Oily, Fruit – Dried, Mushrooms, Pork, Root Vegetables, Salads & Greens, Turkey
- Citrus, Creamy, Fruity, Stone Fruit, Vanilla
Perfect Food Pairings For Chardonnay
Chardonnay is as versatile at the table as it is in the vineyard. Keep stylistic differences in mind when pairing with food.
- Seafood: Enjoying lobster, crab or shrimp scampi? Choose a rich, buttery Chardonnay. With a briny or delicate dish, like oysters or cod, go with Chablis or a similar version.
- Poultry: Chardonnay is great with chicken and turkey, and youll want a richer style if your dish includes a creamy sauce.
- Cheese: Oaky, buttery Chardonnay is your best bet with bolder cheeses like cheddars and blues. Brighter, tangier cheeses call for a lighter, crisper style.
- Things to avoid: Chardonnay is not a great match with foods that are too spicy, bitter or acidic.
Recommended Reading: Can You Ship Wine To Louisiana
Buying Guide For Best Chardonnay
One of the most adaptable and diverse white wines, chardonnay offers a refreshing beverage for most wine drinkers. It can be lean and zesty, rich and creamy, earthy and spiced, or any combination of fruity, herbal, and woody flavors. It all depends on the weather and soil in the region where the grapes are grown, the ripeness of the grapes, and if the wine is aged in oak barrels. That means this green-skinned grape is incredibly versatile.
Chardonnay is the most popular wine grape in the world. It can grow in various climates, from Spain and California to France and New Zealand. Because it has so much to offer wine drinkers, its important to know the salient details that influence how chardonnay tastes, and what the possibilities are. If you tried a glass and didnt like it, it certainly doesnt mean you wont like other chardonnays, even those from the same region.
Our buying guide can help dissect all the flavors, notes, and aromas that make up various bottles of chardonnay, so you can find one that you really enjoy. Weve highlighted a few of our favorites, too.
Grard Bertrand Domaine De Laigle Chardonnay Limoux 2020
A light gold-greenish Chardonnay wine has refreshing quality to it wiht mineral and fruit flavors. For those who want to try some French Chardonnay with New World taste profiles. Give this one a shot. Its from a well-known large French winery that makes good wines.
Tasting Notes: Oak, pear, citrus, apple, vanilla, toast, minerals, peach
Read Also: Can Diabetics Drink Red Wine
You May Like: Can You Ship Wine Through Usps
