Hirsch Vineyards Hirsch Estate Chardonnay 2020
Simply put, this is one of the finest American Chardonnays available right now. Produced from 100 percent estate fruit, native yeasts propel fermentation, while the majority of aging takes place in French and Austrian oak. Savory dried herbs and green leaf notes build layers of complexity upon its tart fruit and floral core. The wines texture is round, its alcohol content does not register, and the finish doesnt linger but instead sets up camp for the long haul. What a fine Chardonnay this is. Average price: $65. Rating: 96.
Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Cabernet Sauvignon Tuscany
This is from the fashionable Maremma, on the west coast of Tuscany, where some of the most expensive cabernet sauvignon wines in the world are made. Think of this as an Italian Silver Oak or an everymans Sassicaia.
Aromas: Cherry and walnut with scents of oak, all dancing in harmony.
Flavors: Dry. Medium- to full-bodied with rich, ripe plum and roast beef character. Wonderfully balanced flavors.
Perfect partners: Texas barbecue, spaghetti and meatballs, or a T-bone bistecca fiorentina-style.
$14.99 at Kroger.
Field Recordings Pt Nat Ros
This fresh bubbly shows notes of rhubarb and strawberries. Made using a process known as méthode ancestrale, one of the earliest forms of sparkling winemaking, fermentation continues in the bottle.Pairs with: Charcuterie boards with soft cheeses, cantaloupe and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus
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The Best Grocery Outlet Wines
I love shopping at Grocery Outlet, but I have to be honest that their wines have been mostly misses for me. I just generally prefer shopping for wine at either wineries, Bay Area wine shops, or retailers like Trader Joes, Whole Foods, and Costco. Over the years, most of the wines Ive bought at Grocery Outlets have been duds. More often than not theyve been too sweet. I knew I possibly just wasnt selecting the right things. Recently Ive been on a quest to uncover the best Grocery Outlet wines to share to help others out there trying to find the diamond in the rough. Theres always a lot to choose from, so I focused my research around the best California wines found at Grocery Outlet. Im not sure if this is the case for all Grocery Outlet stores, but my local locations tend to have a lot of Sonoma and Napa wines to choose from.
Here Ive ranked all of the Grocery Outlet wines from California that Ive tried! Ive listed out the aroma and tasting notes, as well as the price and where I put it on a 5 star rating scale. There are definitely some hits and misses.
What Are The Main Flavors In Chardonnay
A chardonnay is never just one flavor. Usually, you can pick up on a primary flavor and a secondary flavor .
Primary flavor
From lemon zest and baked apple to chalky minerality and tropical fruits like pineapple, chardonnay possesses many flavors, sometimes referred to as notes. The reasons for the expansive range of flavors are variable climates and differing harvest dates. For example, more citrus notes mean the grapes were cultivated in a cooler climate or harvested earlier in the year.
Later harvest and warmer climates develop grapes with less acidity and more decadent fruity flavors.
Secondary flavor
Chardonnay also has secondary flavors that come from the winemaking process. When chardonnay is fermented in an oak barrel, it creates flavors like coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. In addition, American oak can taste like toffee and popcorn, whereas French oak makes gentle nuttiness and slightly smokey flavors. Other factors that affect the flavors and their intensity include the shape of the wood , toast levels, and length of time in contact with the oak.
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Chteau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay 2018
A juggernaut of American winemaking, its somewhat fitting that this Château Ste. Michelle wine encapsulates the type of Chardonnay thats associated with this nation. At 14.5 percent ABV, and with 96 percent of the wine encountering some form of oak, its an undoubtedly heady white. But the rich influence of oak, and the creamy texture provided by malolactic fermentation, are tempered by pronounced Meyer lemon notes. Each sip finishes with harmony and balance. Average price: $30. Rating: 88.
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.
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Grard Bertrand Cote Des Roses Ros France
Right next to trendy Provence is Languedoc, and they share the same sun and similar climate. A blend of grenache, cinsault and syrah. Color is pale, but not anemic. A pretty rosé for all kinds of wine drinkers.
Aromas: Gentle fragrances of strawberry and raspberry.
Flavors: Crisp, clean, bone-dry. Fruit notes are raspberry, strawberry in a light but not washed-out style.
Perfect partners: Salmon poke bowl with cauliflower rice, burrata and fresh vegetable pizza, or glazed pork belly tacos.
$13.99 at Trader Joe’s, widely available.
Evening Lands Seven Springs Chardonnay 2019
From Oregons Eola-Amity Hills AVA, tropical fruit and banana runt aromas spring from this Chardonnay with lovely elegance. Generous acidity on the palate makes the wine extremely refreshing and complements its broad texture. On the finish, expect notes of sherry and yeasty brioche. Average price: $35. Rating: 90.
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Murphy Goode Red Wine Blend
Average Price: $13
The Wine:
Aged in French and American oak, this wine may seem big because of its robust blend of zinfandel, merlot, petite syrah, petite verdot, syrah and cabernet sauvignon grapes all of which are grown across California wine country. It is definitely a complex and layered beverage, but the sip surprisingly softer than a cloud.
Tasting Notes:
On the nose, this garnet red wine opens up with aromas of licorice, vanilla and blueberries. The sip is rich and sweet with jammy notes of Bing cherries and red fruit upfront while a subtle note of spice kicks around on the backend. The finish is long, lush, and soft, and its there where youll notice the hints of aged oak that seem to mellow everything out.
Bottom Line:
Pick up some ground beef or turkey from the grocery store and make a banging home-made burger to crush with this wine.
How Much Id Pay For This Bottle: $18
Charles & Charles Cabernet Blend
This collaboration between Charles Smith and another Charles is a must for the Fourth of JulyI mean, just look at the label. The blend is Cabernet and Syrah and it’s fermented in a way that results in a robust wine with an alcohol level that’s relatively lower than wines of similar intensity. It’s a great casual wine.
BUY IT: Charles & Charles Cabernet Blend, $12 from TotalWines.com and at Trader Joe’s
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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.
Joseph Drouhin Lafort Bourgogne Chardonnay
As mentioned above, this producer is one of the largest domaines in Burgundy and the grapes in this Chardonnay come entirely from that region, at a very reasonable price point. It’s primarily aged in stainless steel, which gives it a refreshing crispness, but spends a short time in oak, which softens the wine with notes of honey and vanilla.
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Canned Wine: Vina Maitia Aupa Pipeo
This is a modern take on an old-school style of Chilean red. Meant to be drunk chilled, its full of bright cranberry and raspberry fruit, and its dangerously drinkable. While some wines end up tasting a bit chemical-y and off when theyre canned, Aupa tastes just as great out of these cute turquoise cans as it does from a traditional bottle. Perfect for taking on a fall picnic or to your next socially distanced hangout.Buy: Vina Maitia Aupa Pipeño, $21 for four cans at Grand Cata
Wine For Discussing Politics: Montenidoli Vernaccia
We couldnt help ourselves: We had to pick an orange wine. Because, well, you get it. This wine has more of a deep honey color and flavors of almonds, resinous herbs, and orchard fruits, with more heft and a bit of tannin. It might even be complex and interesting enough to keep you from biting all your nails off while you wait for the midterm results.Buy: Montenidoli Vernaccia, $24.99 for 750ml at Drizly
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The Best Grocery Store Wines To Buy Now
CWA Staff
So, you want to find the best grocery store wines? These days there are myriad options when it comes to buying wine. Especially if youre near a city, youre likely to find a plethora of wine shops, liquor stores, and specialty retailers. Or you can find a great wine club and never search for wine in a store again!
Shoppers are more and more used to finding quality artisanal wine. There are times, however, when it may not be convenient or possible to get to a boutique store.
Luckily, there are actually very good wines to be found in supermarkets not just as a second choice, but which are outstanding in their own right. While you won’t find cult wines in your local aisles, you can find some very enjoyable wines.
See below for five grocery-store brands which are worth a trip to the supermarket in and of themselves!
Boxed White: Bota Box Chardonnay
Boxed chardonnays usually falter when winemakers try to make them taste more expensive than they are, with enough buttery character and vanilla from oak to make you feel like youve wandered into a Yankee Candle store. But if you let a simple wine just be what it is, well, whats wrong with that? This chardonnay doesnt have the richness or level of oak spice of more expensive California chardonnays, but what it does have tastes real, and itll stay tasting fresh for weeks.Buy: Bota Box Chardonnay, $24.63 for 3L at Drizly
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Wine For Steak Night: White Rock Claret
If ever there was a wine made for an expensive ribeye, its this naturally farmed blend of cabernet, merlot, cab franc, and petit verdot. The flavors of blueberry and blackberry, the hint of black tea aroma, the little bit of cocoa powder on the finish. Dont even bother making a fancy sauce this wine is the sauce.Buy: White Rock Claret, $58.99 for 750ml at Wine.com
The Year In Groceries
It’s remarkable how the unthinkable can just sneak up on you, like it did back in early March, when very nearly overnight, the American supermarket transformed from predictable part of our daily lives to something most of us had only read about in history books.
For weeks, Americans, so accustomed to having it all at the snap of their fingers, were left prowling picked-clean aisles, eagerly snapping up the last box of unusually-shaped pasta, the last dented tin of garbanzo beans nobody wanted, eventually realizing it was probably smarter just to stay home.
The supermarkets slowly began to recognize this as well, lumbering out of panic mode and into safety mode. Suddenly, the keepers of that last, vital link in the food supply chain were being hailed as frontline workers, keeping the country fed for very low pay, fighting in a battle they never signed up for.
Months have passed now, and still, in big cities across the country and sometimes even small ones, we wait in lines, long lines, to get in, following floor markers and wearing masks, feeling victorious each time we see paper towels or our favorite brand of mayonnaise on the shelves. Life comes at you fast, and this year it came like a freight train. We’re all part of the story now, and nobody can say, not for certain, anyway, when and how all of this ends.
Read more: Grocery Workers Have Always Been Essential. Now They’re Holding Up the Country
Plus: The 20 Best Regional Supermarket Chains of All Time
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Balletto Vineyards Twin Ridges Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
A shining example of responsible oak use, this Chardonnay treads a delicate path between bright fruit notes and subtle richness. White flowers combine with a sprinkling of vanilla on the nose, while the palate serves racy acidity and well rounded texture around a stone fruit core. This release is a wine club exclusive, but Balletto consistently produces excellent wines, so signing up might not be such a bad idea. Average price: $39. Rating: 92.
The Best Finest And Most Irresistible Supermarket Own
Co-op Irresistible Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir, Casablanca, Chile 2021 A rule of supermarket thrift that many of us seem to follow: when the chips are down and the bills are rising, out go the brands and in come the own-labels. And data from market researchers Kantar, published in trade magazine The Drinks Business earlier this month, suggests this is exactly whats been going on in the UK as purse strings have tightened in recent months, with own-label wines holding up much better in a wine market that has generally been in a bit of a slump. In many cases , filling our baskets with more Tescos or Aldis own than usual is one of the less onerous changes we might make to save a few quid here and there. And wine is very much included in that: many if not most of my highlights at supermarket tastings are own-labels, among them The Co-ops brilliant herb-flecked, raspberry-scented pinot.
Follow David Williams on Twitter @Daveydaibach
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Chateau Bonnet Blanc Bordeaux France
Classic blend of 60 percent sauvignon blanc, 20 percent sémillon and 20 percent muscadelle.
Aromas: Grapefruit, citrus and light honey.
Flavors: Clean, razor-sharp flavors, bone-dry. Lime and grapefruit background notes.
Perfect partners: It would love creamy ravioli or tortellini dishes, fried catfish with a healthy dollop of tartar sauce, or Thai-style chicken satay.
$13.99 at Target.
Pacific Rim Dry Riesling
Rieslings are typically crowd-pleasers that go well with a variety of cuisines, and this version from the Pacific Northwestbased Pacific Rim is no exception. Elbert says it’s “dry…for a Riesling,” which are often on the sweeter side. It’s citrusy and refreshing and would be delicious with whatever you’re cookingor even all on its own.
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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.
Most Reliable Grocery Store Red Wine: Bodegas Borsao Garnacha
Sunny Spain is the place to go for value in red wine, and this stuff has been reliably great vintage after vintage. Its the kind of hearty, honest, fruity red with flavors of black cherry, plums, and a hint of violet, and enough tannin to stand up to a burger that isnt earth-shattering, but youd always be glad to find in your wine rack at the end of a long day.Buy: Bodegas Borsao Garnacha, $8.99 for 750ml at Wine.com
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Bubbly: J Vineyards Cuve 20
Js Cuvée 20 is like Champagnes more fun younger cousin, with aromas of toasted almonds and ginger, and flavors of ripe golden delicious apples and juicy pears. The texture of the bubbles is creamy and frothy and just a delight to drink. Pop one the next time you plan a decadent at-home brunch and want to have a very happy morning.Buy: J Vineyards Cuvée 20, $33.99 for 750ml at Wine.com
St Supery Sauvignon Blanc
In the middle of Napa Valley on Route 29, this winery makes some delicious wines. Their Sauvignon Blanc is their best-valued wine.
Tasting Notes: Crisp, citrus, melon, pineapple
The best wine at Safeway is only useful if a Safeway is near you. So if Total Wine and More is closer to you, check out our list for best white wines at Total Wine & More!
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Wine To Have With Dessert: Quinta De La Rosa Lot 601 Ruby Port
Port seems to call to mind one of two extremes: the super-expensive vintage wines meant to be cellared for decades, or the cheap, overly sweet stuff. This ruby port from Quinta de la Rosa is a great combination of affordable and delicious. Reminiscent of raspberry jam, its smooth, luscious, and sweet, but not cloyingly so, and is great on its own or with dark chocolate.
The 14 Best Chardonnays To Drink In 2022
- Next Luxury / Food and Travel by Jono Elderton
The American white wine market is dominated by Chardonnay grapes, mostly those grown in the Napa Valley and Central California. The best Chardonnay wines are also some of the most sought after globally, with the worlds elite winemaking regions crafting top echelon bottles of beautiful white wine enjoyed by many in the American market.
There are tremendous varieties within the Chardonnay wine range from dry white wine to semi-sweet versions. The price for good wine starts under $10 and goes through to premier bottles worth hundreds of dollars.
The following collection of Chardonnays to sample offers white wine that can be enjoyed by the wine enthusiast in nearly any situation. The list is dominated by American winemakers, although there are beautiful wines from Australia, South Africa, France, and Argentina on the list.
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