Cameron Hughes & La Crema - Chardonnay f rom Monterey

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

Four Vines Naked Chardonnay

I'm experimenting with some Turkey Day wine possibilities. Tonight we're sampling an unoaked chardonnay. The stainless steel aging lets the fruit stand on its own and keeps the wine lighter than most chardonnays. I find a light floral aroma, with good acid, balanced by some sweetness on the end. The wine complements our dinner: grilled cod, fried snow peas and butternut squash with a bit of maple syrup. In a weird sort of way we've managed to parallel the wide range of flavors and textures on a Thanksgiving table. I seek out some tasting notes from Mrs Vino. "Pear - red pear", she says. "Just a bit sweet for me, but I like it." I can't imagine anyone saying they dislike this sub $12 wine and if you forced me to pick just one wine to satisfy the palates of all your friends and family on the Holiday it would be this one. I see this wine everywhere, so look for it! Even Robert Parker Junior, who secretly wanted to be a math teacher, would give this a 90+ score on Thanksgiving.

Alma Rosa Chardonnay

"Buttery" chardonnay. What does that mean? I never smelled or tasted "butter" in my chardonnay. Until now! My wine smelled like the buttered popcorn at the movies. In my quest to find a chadonnay for Mrs. Vino I've become a fan myself. When I did the broad tasting in the store this one would have been second to Oatley (below), but now I'm not sure. The distributor informed me that the vineyard formally produced Sanford. Huh! My Dad and my wifes maid of honor must have drank 8 bottles of Sanford at our rehersal dinner. To this day, they both shudder whenever the rehersal dinner topic arises. I read that many chardonnays these days are junk and while I'm no expert this one seemed just fine to me and I would look for this one!

Robert Oatley Chardonnay 2007

Mrs. Vino requests some white wine - pinot grigio or chardonnay. A few day later a local wine store announces a special tasting with 6 distributors. I'm on my way. I'm not used to tasting whites - but am willing to learn! The second wine I taste stands out. The distributor overloads me with info as I taste. The slightest hint of alcohol entering my brain distracts from a long story about someone I don't know. Robert Parker Jr scored this one a 90, but who is he? The label suggests a melon flavor and I'm thinking honey dew or do list -which I think I'm working on. I digress. A slight hint of oak. I really liked this wine. A bit pricey at $14, but it generally retails higher (like $20 I think) so I feel good about the extra dough. I don't rate wines like some school test. My rating comes as a suggestion - Look for it!!