California Chardonnay: it&#39;s a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we&#39;re diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

California Chardonnay&#39;s rise to fame is a fascinating tale involving a few key ingredients: a chance upset, ideal growing conditions, and evolving winemaking styles.

The Judgement of Paris (1976): This blind tasting, where Californian Chardonnays triumphed over prestigious French Burgundies, sent shockwaves through the wine world. It proved that California could compete with, and even surpass, established wine regions. This win put Californian Chardonnay on the map and sparked international interest.

Sunshine State Advantage: California&#39;s sunny climate proved ideal for Chardonnay grapes. The warm days and cool nights allowed the grapes to develop ripe fruit flavors while retaining refreshing acidity, a key factor in a well-balanced wine. This happy marriage of climate and grape variety made California Chardonnays a crowd-pleaser.

From Buttery to Bold (and Beyond): Early California Chardonnays often leaned heavily on oak aging, resulting in a rich, buttery style. While popular initially, this style eventually faced a backlash. Winemakers began exploring different techniques, like using less oak or stainless steel tanks, to showcase the grape&#39;s natural fruit flavors and create a wider range of Chardonnay expressions. Today, you can find California Chardonnays in a spectrum of styles, from unoaked and crisp to rich and barrel-aged.

This combination of a pivotal tasting, ideal growing conditions, and a willingness to experiment with winemaking styles all contributed to California Chardonnay&#39;s rise to superstardom.

Here are three California bottles won&#39;t disappoint.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Anthill-Farms-Chardonnay-Russian-River-Valley-Peugh-Vineyard-2021-w42758470w">1. Anthill Farms - Chardonnay Russian River Valley Peugh Vineyard 2021:</a>&nbsp;- $49.99

<ul>
	<li>Winery:&nbsp;Three passionate friends with grit (and maybe a little dirt under their fingernails) started Anthill Farms. They learned the ropes at prestigious wineries before chasing their dream.</li>
	<li>Flavor Profile:&nbsp;Imagine a crisp walk through a summer orchard, with juicy pear, tangerine, and hints of honeysuckle. The subtle oak adds a touch of vanilla bean for a luxurious finish.</li>
	<li>Food Pairing:&nbsp;This wine craves seafood. Think grilled lobster with lemon butter or creamy Dungeness crab cakes.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Beringer-Chardonnay-Napa-Valley-Private-Reserve-2022-w046619545">2. Beringer - Chardonnay Napa Valley Private Reserve 2022:</a>&nbsp;- $35.99

<ul>
	<li>Winery:&nbsp;Beringer boasts a rich history dating back to the 1870s. They&#39;re Napa Valley royalty, known for crafting bold, yet balanced wines.</li>
	<li>Flavor Profile:&nbsp;This Chardonnay is all sunshine and smiles. Expect notes of pineapple, mango, and a hint of minerality. The oak influence is present but adds a touch of spice and toasty brioche, not overwhelming sweetness.</li>
	<li>Food Pairing:&nbsp;Beringer&#39;s Private Reserve is a versatile crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it with roasted chicken with creamy herb stuffing, or go lighter with goat cheese salad and grilled peaches.</li>
</ul>

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Pride-Chardonnay-2017-w7207869y8">3. Pride - Chardonnay 2017 </a>- $46.99 

(Note: Due to the vintage being 2017, this wine might be challenging to find)

<ul>
	<li>Winery:&nbsp;shrouded in a bit of mystery, Pride focuses on small-production, high-quality Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.</li>
	<li>Flavor Profile:&nbsp;With some bottle age, this Chardonnay is likely to be evolving into something truly special. Expect richer flavors of stone fruit, honey, and a touch of butterscotch. Look for hints of spice and toast from oak aging.</li>
	<li>Food Pairing:&nbsp;This Chardonnay can stand up to heartier dishes. Think creamy mushroom risotto, roasted pork tenderloin with caramelized onions, or even a decadent cheese board.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Eddy V’s Prime Seafood restaurant. 

Wine List Review of Eddy V's, Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

Eddy V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

<a href="https://www.eddiev.com/menu/wine-selection/sparkling">https://www.eddiev.com/menu/wine-selection/sparkling</a>

&nbsp;

Eddie V:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

&nbsp;

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

&nbsp;

MQ: Hi Robert!

&nbsp;RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules our mobile app and our podcast&rsquo;s to demystify wine list because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that&nbsp; list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Eddie V&rsquo;s Prime Seafood in Tyson&rsquo;s Corner, Virginia. Come enjoy happy hour, live music, private events, and of course, a stand out menu specializing in steaks and seafood.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list?

MQ: In this kind of environment, you know they offer favorites for all palates. Join us for today&rsquo;s selections for steak and seafood.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: We must begin with a classic, Old World Chardonnay from Burgundy in France. Consider the 2020 Cave de Lugny, Les Charmes, Burgundy. Les Charmes is located at the base of the Cote d&rsquo;Or in Burgundy. This Chardonnay is aromatic with notes of white flowers, fresh acidity, lemon zest, tangerine, with a toasty finish. Pair this Chardonnay with scallops and salmon.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: If you are looking for a full-bodied red wine with a bit of spice, consider the 2018 K Vintners Millbrant Syrah from Washington State. A crowd pleasing Syrah that features notes of blackberries, black cherries, clove, black pepper, with a smoky/nutty finish. A wonderful companion to smoked proteins.

RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo; ?

MQ: A medium-bodied white wine that is a must-try when pairing with richly sauced seafood and spicy dishes is the 2020 Kruger-Rumpf Estate Riesling, Trocken from Germany. The key word on this label is &lsquo;Trocken&rsquo;. This means the Riesling is dry, and features bright acidity, ripe peach, ripe green apple, white flowers, lime zest, and a mineral finish.

RT: These are some great calls. So you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: Another crowd-pleasing red wine for the table is the 2019 Bodegas Caro, Amancaya from Mendoza Argentina. This red wine consists of 64% Malbec and 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a perfect companion to steak, lamb, and other rich proteins and pasta. With aromas and flavors of currants, blackberries, black cherries, raspberries, smoke, spice, and lavender, this bottle certainly packs a punch.

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind..&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ:&nbsp;As we love to discuss Rose for year round enjoyment, a robust Rose to consider of excellent quality and value is the 2021 Feudi di San Grigorio Aglianico Rose from Campania, Italy. This richly colored Rose features notes of ripe red cherries, watermelon, with strawberry jam, and a floral finish. Pair this Rose with shellfish and dense fish such as salmon and tuna, all for an excellent price.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: I always seem to stop for a moment when I spot a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Consider the 2019 Benton Lane Pinot Noir when in search of a quality/vale red wine. This is truly your go-to for a medium bodied red wine to pair with herbed and lightly sauced proteins. Well balanced with aromas and flavors of red cherries, cranberries, and strawberries, along with notes of spice, white pepper, clove and smoke, this Pinot Noir is a winner.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;

&nbsp;MQ: If you are looking for art in and out of the bottle, look no further than wines by Orin Swift. The conversation begins with the arrival of the bottle. For a special occasion, consider the 2018 Orin Swift Papillon from Napa, California. This highly rated Bordeaux style blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc has it all. Rich and dense, this blend features black currant, fig, plumb, cassis, smoke, and leather, with notes of licorice and lavender on this finish. All the richness you could ask for to pair with Eddie&rsquo;s menu and your special occasion.

&nbsp;

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Eddie V&rsquo;s Prime Seafood&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.&nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

&nbsp;

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

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CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

LBV Steakhouse

Available Wines
Total Wines - 5

Beringer

White Zinfandel NV

Zinfandel

California, USA

Lady Lola

Pinot Grigio - Moscato NV

Blend

Delle Venezie, Italy

Cantine Leonardo da Vinci

Da Vinci Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Grigio

Delle Venezie, Italy

Liberty Creek

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Liberty Creek

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA