Bottle Report

Reyneke Vinehugger Chardonnay 2014, South Africa Cost: $16-18 T his week’s wine is a delightful Chardonnay from South Africa at a great price, full of citrus aromas and flavors. It has a fresh acidity that makes it perfect with a meal. South African wines have been around for hundreds of years, but most American drinkers know little about them. We might have heard about their Chenin Blanc, which has not been a popular varietal in the United States. Or we might remember Pinotage, a red wine that gained some interest as a curiosity in this country, but then faded as poorly made wine hurt the market. The South African wine industry has been changing during the last 20 years with a rise in quality, a concern for sustainability and many new vine plantings. Their wines are poised to make a major splash on the world market, and the industry is…

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Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, California Cost: $23-26 What: Sonoma Cutrer has been making great chardonnay for 30 years, and this is another fine example of the classic California style. If you like rich, buttery chardonnay, this is the one for you. The aroma is flowers, citrus, ginger and maybe a little cedar. Apple, pineapple, lemon are the tastes that jump out when you drink the wine. It’s a well-balanced wine, with a solid acid base to hold up to the second, or maloactic, fermentation that gives the wine it’s buttery smoothness. It has a long, lingering, pleasant finish. The Winery: When Sonoma-Cutrer began in 1973 they planted several grape varieties in marginal land that later became known as the Sonoma Coast Appellation. The area is ideal for growing chardonnay because the cool breezes and fog from the ocean allow a long growing season with modest temperature fluctuations. The owners decided…

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