Philly Wine Finder

X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010

X Winery was created from an MBA project of Reed Renaudin in 2001. The basic idea, described on their web site, is to take grapes from "some of California's top growers," blend them, and then use technology and low production costs to offer quality wine at a value price. 

While that may sound like a recipe for plonky bad wine to some, the wines from X Winery receive positive reviews in the Wine Advocate and other wine publications and are touted for their value for the money. 

We didn't find any reviews or even any information on the web site for the Chardonnay North Coast 2010, but we found it to be a solid effort, fresh and clean tasting, pleasant Chardonnay mouthfeel, and not overoaked at all. At $8.99 it's a great deal and a perfect wine for mid-week quesadillas.

Rating: 82, or 3 out of 5.
 

X Winery Chardonnay North Coast 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32426
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $32, Min $32, Max $32)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > North Coast
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.9%

PAWineTalk

 

Kenwood Chardonnay Sonoma County 2010

Kenwood can't be beat as a California chardonnay in the oaky-buttery style (but not too much!) in this price range. Pleasant vanilla (but not too much!), ripe tropical fruit and acidity still coming through. Similar to Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve (but not too much!). We stand by our 2009 review.

Thank you to the PLCB for offering this year after year at the same price. A solid every day chardonnay. 

Kenwood Chardonnay Sonoma County 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32385
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $11, Min $9, Max $14)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

 PAWineTalk

Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay Foggy Oaks Russian River Valley 2008

PAWineTalk had this to say about this wine:

 

"But if you are into oak-laden Chardonnays then this is a decent one for the price.
[ecola]: Tastes like lighter fluid with sawdust in it. Awful wine, over-oaked and way too much acidity. If you buy this please do not talk to me again, I will have nothing to say to you."

 

Ok so we like a big oaky buttery Cali Chard every now and then, so we wanted to try this one. The problem for us with this one was not so much that it was over-oaked, but more the "lighter fluid" quality mentioned by ecola that threw it out of balance for us. 

 

A better buy right now is the Kenwood Chardonnay.

 

Dry Creek Vineyard Chardonnay Foggy Oaks Russian River Valley 2008
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32325
Size: 750ML
Price: $12.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $19, Min $16, Max $22)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County > Russian River Valley
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.9%

 

 

Big Ranch Big Gross

Since this wine has the word "big" in the name, we were hoping for some classic big oaky buttery Cali style chardonnay that is not so much in fashion anymore but we like from time-to-time anyway.

But this is just all lemony and way out of balance and kind of gross. Big Ranch was a big disappointment. 

Laird Family Chardonnay Big Ranch Vineyards 2010
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32070
Size: 750ML
Price: $14.99

 PAWineTalk

Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Blanc and rotisseur

A decent inexepnsive French Chardonnay paired with chicken and sides from rotisseur at 21st and Chestnut. We'd rate it at 3 or 3+ or 85-87. Buy this and the Kenwood and you can have simple French and California Chardonnay on hand all summer.

Available at the Premium Collection stores in town and in the burbs.

Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Blanc Laforet 2009
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32160
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99

PAWineTalk

CellarTracker

Fish Tacos and...Gewurz or Chardonnay?

We set out to make San Diego-style fish tacos. We took the essential elements to be (1) white fish (mahi mahi, cod, and halibut were some suggestions, cooked fried, grilled, broiled, whatever) (2) soft corn tortillas  (3) shredded cabbage and (4) the white sauce.

We opted for broiled cod, marinated in olive oil, the juice of 2 limes, some oregano and some cumin; flaked it apart into chunks on the serving plate. The white sauce was made from equal parts mayo and sour cream, with the juice of a lime squeezed in. We added a tomato and avocado salsa because we had an avocado we wanted to put to good use. And of course, sprigs of fresh cilantro.

Just pair it with beer you say? We say nay-nay. Both of these Chairman's Selection white wines worked well: Firehose Gewurtztraminer and Kenwood Chardonnay. The Firehose is a nice inexpensive  summer white to keep around for spicy food (hence the name.) We also love the Kenwood, the oak and vanilla are there but not too obnoxious. 

The Kenwood is around, but you'll have to go to the somewhat skeezy South Street or Fairmount stores for the Firehose. The price is right though, if you like Gewurz.

Firehose Gewurztraminer California 2008
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32051
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99
Region:    USA > California
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

Kenwood Chardonnay Sonoma County 2009
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 30899
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

 

Two Chairman's Chards: Ministry of Vinterior vs. Domaine Alfred Chamisal

These two Chardonnays are both Chairman's Selections at the moment. What's the diff? The Ministry of the Vinterior is more restrained, more mineral, better with food; the Domaine Alfred Chamisal is fuller bodied, more oaky, and can stand alone.  They are both good. The Vinterior is possibly the better value and would be a good picnic wine. The Ministry also has a fun schtick going with "the ministry is watching" and their mock edicts.

Click on the maps on PAWineTalk to find that both of these selections are available circa del Philly, with the Ministry in plentiful supply.

Ministry of the Vinterior Chardonnay 2009
Chairman's Selection
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32057
Size: 750ML
Price: $8.99
Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County > Russian River Valley
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13%

 PAWineTalk

Domaine Alfred Chardonnay Chamisal Vineyards 2007
Chairman's Selection
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 13956
Size: 750ML
Price: $14.99
Region:    USA > California > Central Coast > Edna Valley
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    14.1%

"A rich, full-bodied wine, with a complex mix of ripe fig, smoky, toasty oak, cedar and herb. Ends with a slightly coarse edge. Drink now through 2012."
*87 points Wine Spectator, November 30, 2009

 

"Domaine Alfred. Ongoing themes of well-ripened apples accented with deft touches of coconut, cream, and hints of sweet smoke feature in both the well-defined nose and nicely filled flavors of this attractive effort, and, while a comparatively big wine, it is both energetic and well-balanced."
*89 points Connoisseurs' Guide, October 2009

PAWineTalk

 

Acre Chardonnay

This inexpensive Chardonnay begins with vanilla that is quickly overwhelmed by lemon. On its own it's out of balance, but pair it with food and it's fine. Contrary to the opinion on PAWineTalk, we did not find it to be oaky.

A recent survey of American wine drinkers found that only 41 percent consumed wine while sitting down to a meal. What a shame! Wine should be paired with food, not American Idol.

Super abundant in Philly and the provinces.

Acre Chardonnay Central Coast 2008
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32013
Size: 750ML
Price: $6.99

Region:    USA > California > Central Coast
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

PAWineTalk

Marquis Philips Holly's Blend White 2008

A pleasant blend of Verdelho and Chardonnay that will pair well with many spring and summer foods. A good white table wine, nothing spectacular, but well-priced at $5.99. People who prefer modest Chardonnay will especially like it. For those for whom wine is mainly an alcohol delivery system, at 15% alcohol you'll be getting your money's worth.  

Widely available in state stores now. Try a bottle and let us know what you think.

Marquis Philips Holly's Blend White 2008
Chairman's Selection
PLCB Code: 32001
Size: 750ML
Price: $5.99

Region:    Australia > South Australia
Grape Varieties:     Verdelho 55%
Chardonnay 29%
Riesling 9%
Sémillon 7%
Alcohol Content:    15%

PAWineTalk

Roast Chicken and...Wine or Beer?

Classic pairing: a cold Philly night and a roast chicken.  But with wine or beer?  We turned to He Said Beer, She Said Wine: Impassioned Food Pairings to Debate and Enjoy: from Burgers to Brie and Beyond, written by and Marnie Old (wine) and Sam Calagione (beer) for advice.

Marnie Old's wine pairing is Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Chardonnay.  We were a little skeptical at first, but the buttery flavor and tropical fruit were a great match.  Even better was that were we able to find another bottle of this wine at $9.99, an absolute steal.

But, perhaps owing to the fact that we drink so much wine, the beer pairing stole the show. Sam Calagione recommended something called Escura Eisenbahn, which we couldn't find.  But he said we could substitute "Trappist Ale."  So we found Westmalle Dubbel, a dark, reddish brown Belgian trappist ale that we loved.  Very nice malty flavor.  Next time you have roast chicken we suggest you try this.   A reviewer on Beer Advocate noted the "thick and big tan head" that is   "slow to dissipate," so be extra careful when pouring. 

 Since we don't usually buy beer we had to buy this in a deli-type place, so we must have been overcharged at $6.99 (for one bottle!)  Hopefully this can be found elsewhere at lower prices.  Beer people please send suggestions on where to buy!

• Code: 6146
• Description: ROSEMOUNT EST CHARD SHOW RES
• Size: 750 ML
• Price: $9.99

Wesmalle Dubbel

        Available at the Foodery and Beer Heaven $6.99/bottle and up.