Chardonnay

Chardonnay (shar-doh-nay) is America’s most popular white wine and California’s most widely planted wine grape at more than 95,000 acres.  Chardonnay loves cool, coastal climates, yet also flourishes in warmer growing conditions.  It’s a dry wine, with an appealing balance of fruit, acidity and texture.  Winemakers play an important role in the style of Chardonnay: without aging in oak barrels, the wine remains clean and crisp, with typical aromas and flavors of apple, pear and citrus; richer, oak-aged versions carry hints of toast, vanilla and butter.  Chardonnay is best enjoyed chilled, and tastes delicious with chicken, Dungeness crab salad and dishes with light cream sauces.  It’s also perfect with traditional Thanksgiving side dishes like turkey stuffing.