ABC - Anything but Chardonnay
Hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear the anti-Chardonnay declaration. It is often coined ABC or Anything but Chardonnay. It is likely linked to the over abundance of commercial Chardonnay wines, particularly 10-15 years ago, where likely 75% of the dry white wines available were Chardonnays. People have grown tired of Chardonnay. Surprisingly, Chardonnay on a wine label didn’t hardly exist 30 years ago, but it increased in popularity, until recently.
Others have grown tired of the buttery, heavy oaked Chardonnay wines, particularly manifested by the big Australian or Chateau plywood Chardonnays. The Californians have “oomphed” up the alcohol in its Chardonnays, giving perhaps too much body in a white wine.
We still believe that Chardonnay offers outstanding wines, and when allowed to show in the absence of oak, gives us fine fruity notes. However, if you want to explore ABC, but still like a dry white wine, we would like to offer a few alternatives.
Sauvignon blanc – Probably prior to the Chardonnay boom, this was “the” white wine of choice. While not as full bodied as Chardonnay it has wonderful grassy notes.
Torrontes – From Argentina, it’s most planted white wine grape Full-bodied and aggressively floral on the nose. Available this month, blended with Chardonnay in our World Vineyard Collection. Live life on the edge try something new!
Viognier – Here is our favourite, yet relatively unknown grape, but very trendy today. Creamy and rich with surprising tangerine flavours. It is very food friendly. If you haven’t tried this wine, you must, put it on your bucket list.
Pinot Grigio – Perhaps should not be mentioned in the same breath as Chardonnay. If you look for Chardonnay opposites, this is it. Light, crisp, never oaked, it is the perfect sipper, great on its own for afternoon get togethers.