Three Summer-Perfect California Chardonnays for the Wine Enthusiast Chris Lehoux, May 28, 2024 Text Last week, I wrote about the most popular red wine grape in the world – cabernet sauvignon. This week, in honor of Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, I thought I would focus on the most popular white wine grape worldwide and across the country – chardonnay. And when you’re talking chardonnay in this country, you’re talking about chardonnay from California. Chardonnay is the most-planted white wine grape in California and the second-most-planted grape overall in the state. (Cabernet sauvignon is number one.) And while you can find wines from many states throughout the country, 84 percent of all wine in this country comes from California. So the numbers are clear – chardonnay is king in California. But I need to be honest right up front. In years past, I was not a big fan of California chardonnays. This was particularly the case when comparing Chardonnays from many other parts of the world, most notably France’s Burgundy region. The region’s chardonnays are renowned for vividly reflecting every minor variation in soil and climate. On the contrary, many California chardonnays were, in my humble opinion, slightly excessive. They were either slightly too sweet or had a tad too much butter. Fortunately, many California winemakers have started to alter their methods. Not all wine connoisseurs prefer a robust, bold wine. Now, you can finally find many wonderful examples of understated California chardonnays that whisper their flavors instead of screaming them at the top of their lungs. This week, you can learn more about three delightful California chardonnays, including one that costs less than $12 a bottle. Hope you enjoy! 2021 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay ($11.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield) Region: Monterey, California Tasting notes: Located near the Pacific Ocean in Central California, just over 100 miles south of San Francisco, Monterey clearly is a great place to grow grapes based on this outstanding, affordable wine. Everything about this wine is soft, subtle and understated, including its flavors and floral-like aromas, which include hints of peach, honeydew melon and apricot. An absolute gem at an amazing price. 2022 Justin Chardonnay Sonoma County ($38 Suggested Retail Price) Region: Sonoma County, California Tasting notes: One of my favorite California wineries, Justin Winery consistently produces delicate, elegant wines with character and personality. This refreshing white wine from California’s Sonoma County (which is closer to the ocean than Napa Valley) has a clear, bright, well-rounded taste with hints of toasted butter, sea salt and seaweed. It’s also slightly acidic in a good way. A true delight. 2021 Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay Napa Valley ($50 SRP) Region: Napa Valley, California Tasting notes: Another consistently great California winery, Beringer has set the standard for years for delicious, interesting wines that reward careful attention. Here, the flavors and aromas are bright and lively with expressive hints of lemon, citrus, sea salt and wildflowers. There are also subtle vanilla-like notes along with a dash of peach and toasted almonds. An outstanding wine perfect for any summer occasion. Cheers! Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section every Thursday. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. About the Author: Chris Lehoux Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored! Wine