I'm surveying white wines for the upcoming neighborhood X-mas party. I hope to find and serve the best to our guests. At the risk of sounding sexist, I know the ladies like their Chardonnay - and on occasion, so do I. I picked up 5 different bottles and on Thanksgiving Eve, Mrs. Vino, her folks and I sampled the $11 Cameron Hughes (of Costco fame) and $15 La Crema - both wines from Monterey. On a
blind testing we discussed our findings. Each of us found La Crema to be more subtle. The Cameron Hughes was stonger and the flavor lingered longer. None of us could make an immediate fruit association and we all agreed the wines were similar. Nonnie and I liked La Crema the best while Oppie and Mrs. Vino were less sure. For me La Crema was smoother and cleaner. After the tasting I read the wine maker notes and see we're supposed to be picking up warm apples and pear on the CH and pineapple, lemon zest and apricot on La Crema. I know that I like white wines that have good minerality and acidity, so it makes sense that I liked La Crema better. We all would gladly drink either wine again - but personally, I'll keep an eye out for La Crema. I'm hoping the same tasting committee will be up for another couple of Chardonnay's with the Turkey dinner! We'll see
I'm surveying white wines for the upcoming neighborhood X-mas party. I hope to find and serve the best to our guests. At the risk of sounding sexist, I know the ladies like their Chardonnay - and on occasion, so do I. I picked up 5 different bottles and on Thanksgiving Eve, Mrs. Vino, her folks and I sampled the $11 Cameron Hughes (of Costco fame) and $15 La Crema - both wines from Monterey. On a blind testing we discussed our findings. Each of us found La Crema to be more subtle. The Cameron Hughes was stonger and the flavor lingered longer. None of us could make an immediate fruit association and we all agreed the wines were similar. Nonnie and I liked La Crema the best while Oppie and Mrs. Vino were less sure. For me La Crema was smoother and cleaner. After the tasting I read the wine maker notes and see we're supposed to be picking up warm apples and pear on the CH and pineapple, lemon zest and apricot on La Crema. I know that I like white wines that have good minerality and acidity, so it makes sense that I liked La Crema better. We all would gladly drink either wine again - but personally, I'll keep an eye out for La Crema. I'm hoping the same tasting committee will be up for another couple of Chardonnay's with the Turkey dinner! We'll see