Shades of Bacchus

For any of you who want to taste new wines and expand your universe, a wine tasting club is a great way to go. I was involved in establishing a club about six months ago. Our club, let's call them "The Group of Seven," meets monthly. The hosting duties are shared by the members. The host for the month, sets the theme. Themes have included; Piedmont Greats...Barolo and Barbaresco, blind tasting of California Cabs, Vintage Champagnes, Blind tasting older Bordeaux, and tomorrow evening....California Chardonnay. The host provides some light food, cheese, bread, etc. and the venue....normally his home. The group voted early on to be a "Men's Tasting Club." This was much to the chagrin of the wives, who for the most part, are as "into" wine as the men. California Chardonnay has really evolved in the past decade. The older flavor profile, was heavy oak, mouth coating viscosity with buttery, malactic mid palate. Peach and Pear notes combined with a carmel finish with moderate acidity. There are still examples of this profile available, but most of the better winemakers have adopted a more "Burgundian" style. These newer examples feature White peach, pear and green apple with a more crisp acidity that really sparks us food. The "flinty" presentation provide a more refreshing mouth feel with great balance of acidity and oak. I have three favorites, and in my opinion, the three best Cali Chards. Aubert, Kongsgaard, Kistler and Marcassin. All are mailing list wines, in excess of $75.00 per bottle. Expensive?....Yes, but in a leauge with French Batard Montrachets at 4 times the price. All of these Chards offer multiple single vineyards. Obviously there are virtually hundreds of great Chardonnays from which to choose, but for my money, these are the tops. For a special treat, and perhaps a view of new direction of California Chardonnay....try a "Naked" or "Unoaked" Chard. These wines utilize stainless steel as opposed to oak barrels and reveal the true "flavor" or Chardonnay. I will give you a review of the wines we taste at tomorrow evenings event of Wednesday.

PS: A special shout out to Frank Pagliaro, of Frank's Union Wine Mart, in Wilmington Delaware. Frank has worked with us on our tastings, and is a real resource. Highly recommended.
http://www.FranksWine.com


We will also be recording a 30 minute radio show on Wednesday. The WCOJ radio program will be broadcast this Friday, at 5:30 PM. I will also give you the link in case you miss it.....Cheers