The Chardonnays We’re Drinking This Chardonnay Day
Out of all the national food and drink days in a given year – Margarita Day, PB&J Day, Eggnog Day…you get the picture – May 23 is ranking in our Top 10 of days to toast.
It’s International Chardonnay Day.
Being touted as the kick start to Summer of Chardonnay, the wineries of i4c – Niagara’s International Cool Climate Celebration – are spending the day participating in all kinds of events that tout the love of the world’s most planted wine grape.
Among the easiest to attend is the day-long virtual tasting, where wineries will take to Twitter (@coolchardonnay), Facebook (facebook.com/CoolChardonnayCelebration) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/i4c) to highlight the virtues of Chardonnay. Hashtags are #chardday & #i4c2013 if you care to weigh in.
Speaking of which, we’ll do just that. Here are some of the Ontario Chardonnays we’re celebrating right now.
Vineland Estates Unoaked Chardonnay, Ontario 2012
$12.95 LCBO 669374
There’s a great depth to this wine with flavours of lemon-lime, ripe pear and white cherries. Medium bodied with perky acids and nice length. Try with goat cheese or fritto misto.
Flat Rock Cellars “Unplugged” Chardonnay, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 2012
$17.15 www.flatrockcellars.com
Fresh and energetic, this unoaked Chardonnay is meant for warm weather sipping. With a zesty nose of lemon lime, Delmonte fruit cup, and white flowers, the palate is crisp and light with cleansing acidity and flavours of juicy orchard fruits. Perfect for enjoying with ceviche, grilled lake fish or turkey burgers with guacamole.
Chateau des Charmes “Barrel Fermented” Chardonnay, VQA Niagara on the Lake 2010
$13.95 LCBO 81653
A wine that continually stuns us with its incredible value, we’d buy this by the case, if it weren’t readily available in the LCBO. Despite the barrel ferment, the oak is kept under control by balancing acid and firm structure. Flavours of smoke, baked apple pie, and vanilla bean, this is buttery soft and plush on the palate. Drink with piri piri chicken or pasta carbonera.
Malivoire Chardonnay, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2010
$19.95 Vintages 573147
Another wine of exceptional value, this Vintages Essential is one of our go-to’s. Medium bodied and elegant with flavours of nectarine and orange blossom, baking spice and roast nuts with a lemon-lime finish. Pair with mushroom stuffed pork tenderloin, salmon and creamed leeks.
Tawse “Sketches of Niagara” Chardonnay, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2010
$19.95 Vintages 89037
This is an crowd pleasing Chardonnay that carries considerable complexity for terrific value. The nose is a mix of sweet spice, creamed corn, apple, mango and vanilla bean. The mid weight palate takes a bit of time to open up, but eventually reveals creamy butterscotch, pineapple and lemon and mineral flavours. Enjoy with aged Cheddar or Beemster cheese, or grilled lemon pepper chicken.
Le Clos Jordanne “Le Grand Clos” Chardonnay, VQA Twenty Mile Bench 2009
$65 Vintages 34561
A top notch performer of weight and class with lemon curd, vanilla pudding, roasted nuts and mineral, limey finish. Focused with zippy acidity, this would pair well with briney oysters or seafood stew.
Huff Estates “South Bay Vineyard” Chardonnay, VQA Prince Edward County 2010
$29.95 Vintages 88955
Restrained and elegant, with mineral, ripe red apple and white peach and orange blossom flavours and aromas. 25% new oak was used in aging, offering a creamy and soft mouth feel, balanced by fresh acidity and lingering mineral finish.
Closson Chase “The Loyalist” Chardonnay, VQA Prince Edward County 2010
$23.95 www.clossonchase.com
A terrific wine of tremendous value – The Loyalist is only sold to restaurants, or at the winery. Barrel fermented in 90% old French oak and only 10% new, this has a rich nose of lemon meringue, baking spice, creamed corn and toasty notes, while the creamy palate takes on citrus, spice and a slight honeyed note with underlying flint. Powerful, but elegant and with finesse.
Stanners Chardonnay, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore 2010
$25 www.stannersvineyard.ca
Colin Stanners was a chemist working in California when he and his wife decided to cash it all in, return to Canada, and follow their dream of opening a winery in Prince Edward County. Now heading into their third vintage, they still sometimes rely on fruit purchased from Niagara – as is the case with this Chardonnay – when they feel their young vines aren’t giving them the quality they want. Aged for one year in a mix of new and old French oak and stainless steel, this has an intriguing nose of orchard fruit, roasted spice and smoke. The palate is creamy and medium bodied with fine acidity and nice mineral backbone.