Chardonnay is a grape variety that is relatively easy to find. There are hundreds upon hundreds of acres of chardonnay vineyards in California -- but Texas, Virginia, and New York State too? One should never underestimate the ubiquitous chardonnay grape: easily available does not mean that this is a wine that lacks sophistication and style. In the hands of the French, this grape becomes the coveted white Burgundy which sells for mega-bucks per bottle and can be cellared for over a decade. Do we Americans have a counterpart to these elegant French wines? Glad you asked, because we do!
In the world of wine, you will hear a good deal about "terroir." We do not have the same "terroir" as the French, ("terroir" is an identifiable blend of grape, earth and climate that makes a wine unique,) but each of our wine regions has its own equally unique "terroir" and the potential for some great wines. Let's take a look at some top notch American chardonnays.
Kistler Chardonnay -- Sonoma California (around $100 per bottle)
Kistler is simply an elegant, spectacular wine. Kistler has several different vineyards -- Durell, Sonoma, etc. -- and for my taste, all of them are excellent. This wine is the very essence of sophistication. Several years ago, I purchased a half dozen bottles of the 1995 and cellared them. I just finished the last bottle about six months ago and am saving my pennies to purchase some more. This is a full-bodied, complex wine that makes you feel like royalty when you sip it. Serve it to those you love on anniversaries, birthdays or whenever you can afford to treat them and yourself well.
Kongsgaard Chardonnay -- Napa California (around $135 per bottle)
This wine was served to me when I visited a friend on the West Coast. WOW! I had never tasted anything like it and had to admit that when I was served the wine I had never heard of it. It required hours of shopping to find it in wine stores. I am kind of old-fashioned since I have not yet purchased wines through the internet. The truth is that I prefer to hold the bottle, examine the label and communicate with my purchases! Especially ones that are so costly. I opened a bottle of this wine last night, just for this blog, and was once again treated to an elegantly structured wine that continued to evolve its flavor in the glass. If I continue making sacrifices like this for this blog - I will be soon be bankrupt!!
Chateau Montelena -- Napa California (around $45-50 per bottle)
This is high end, but will not put you into poverty. Chateau Montelena chardonnay is crisp, bright and full-bodied yet it whispers its power to you and does not shout about it. This is a refined wine, to be sipped slowly -- as all wine should be -- and enjoyed. If you have a special occasion coming up for a white wine lover you will not go wrong with this one.
Peter Michael -- Sonoma California ($100 and up per bottle)
This is a memory keeper among white wines. I had this wine several years ago at a restaurant while touring the vineyards in Napa. It is hard to find in retail stores, but you may well encounter it on good restaurant menus. This is a subtle, fruit-laden wine that is medium-bodied and, quite simply put, delicious to drink. It will impress your dinner companion -- especially if YOU are paying the bill!
I hope you enjoy this selection of high- end chardonnays. These wines are expensive, but well worth it! Remember there is a wine for every pocketbook and every taste. I hope this helps you find yours!!