(4) Wines made from Chardonnay

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
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Having recently tried the Joe Blow 2005 California Red wine, I can say that I like Joe Blow Wine Cellars — they make nice blends. The Joe Blow 2005 White is comprised of Chardonnay, Viognier, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc. The Chardonnay and Viognier provide a nice medium to medium-full body and hold the touch of oak well, while the Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc provide some nice acid and bring it back into a sleek wine style. With a bit of an exotic floral nose, the acid in the mouth make this wine enjoyable with or without food. ($12)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: soft
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Les Charmes from Cav de Lugny is the best selling white Burgundy in the US. Produce from a single vineyard of old vines, this Macon is a little richer and rounded in the mouth than most. Showing green apple, a little mineral, and a touch of parmesan cheese, this is a great wine for a simple meal or for simply drinking. ($10)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: soft
• Look for at: wine.com

The more I drank this 2006 Chardonnay from Edna Valley Vineyard, the more I liked it. Only lightly oaked, the oaky and spicy aromas are well-balanced by aromas of peach and pineapple. Medium-full bodied and coming in at 13.9% alcohol, it still has enough acid and light enough oak to go well with the traditional pairings of seafood, chicken, or pork. And at $11, it’s a pretty good price for a Chardonnay from California. ($11)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sparkling
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I picked up this wine at K&L Liquors in San Francisco, where it is a staff selection, and I can see why. We tried the Ariston along side a special cuvee from Bollinger. The Bollinger managed to surpass the Ariston by a nose, but at half the price, I would recommend you get two bottles of the Ariston. In the glass, the Ariston is fresh and crisp with a medium-fine mousse and a touch of chocolate on the end. This is a great aperitif, and it also goes very nicely with a summer’s afternoon in Golden Gate Park. ($27)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: rich
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This is one of the longest wine names of the year. I suggest that you rip the picture and take it with you when you go buy this wine. The ’06 Clos du Four from Comte Lafon is a good white Burgundy wine. The nose has green fruit, some lees, mineral, and a little petroleum. In the mouth, the wine is full-bodied and round with medium acid and a long finish. ($35-40)

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• Wine 101 style: sleek
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Un-oaked Chardonnays have been in the press for the last couple of years, as some have pushed back on all the oak used to make most New World Chardonnays. This 2006 offering from Lioco is a good example. With crisp citrus flavors and a clean finish, the wine is food friendly and would work well with spicy dishes or grilled fish. ($18-20)

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
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This is a great value for those of you that do not want to stare at lots of oak in your Chardonnay glass. The nose offers apple, pear, and butterscotch. In the glass the wine gives you a mouth full of ripe apple balanced with plenty of acid. This wine from Southern Australia is from the same folks that produce Marquis Philips and 3 Rings. Many of these wines have been “blessed” by Robert Parker”s 90(+) ratings, and may be hard to find, but keep looking.

• Our rating:
• Wine 101 style: sleek
• Look for at: wine.com

Saint-Veran is located in southern Burgundy and offers excellent values in Chardonnays. Most of the wines are straight forward examples of unoaked 100% Chardonnays. Joseph Drouhin’s 2005 offer is a good example of wines from this region. The wine offers a nose and mouth of apples. The 2005 lacks some of the balance of other vintages, but it will still pair well with shellfish.