May 21 was National Chardonnay Day. Chardonnay, America’s bestselling white wine
is beloved by wine lovers around the world.
While this grape originated in France’s Burgundy region, it has found a
home in most major winegrowing areas worldwide, including every primary wine
appellation in California. Chardonnay
flavor profiles range from rich, buttery, powerful wines to lean clean unoaked
styles. Winemakers love this grape
because it adapts well to a variety of climates and have high yields and
through the aromas and flavors can change greatly due to oak regimen,
malolactic fermentation, aging and more.
But, Chardonnay in America has to thank the first family of
Chardonnay, the Wente Family. You cannot
think of Chardonnay and not think of Wente Vineyards. Carl H. Wente founded Wente Vineyards in
Livermore Valley in 1883. Second generation
winemaker Ernest Wente was a student at UC Davis and imported Chardonnay
cuttings from Burgundy to California to explore the varietal’s potential in the
soil of his native state. It was this
this early dedication that helped product the first varietally-labeled
Chardonnay in America in 1936. And it
set the stage for the creation of the world-renowned “Wente Clone” which has
been used in most vineyards in the U.S. and is the foundation of some the most
famous white wines in the New World.
By 1960 the French wine and food magazine Guide Michelin
reprinted a Los Angeles Times review that called the Wente Chardonnay the
finest white wine in America, equal to the great white wines of France. This put Wente Vineyards on the worldwide
wine map and has given them the notable distinction of being California’s First
Family of Chardonnay. Today California
grows almost 100,000 acres of Chardonnay, more than 20% of the varietal’s total
worldwide acreage, and the Wente clone has become the most widely planted in
the state.
Today, after more than 130 years, Wente Vineyards continues
the family’s commitment to producing 100% estate grown sustainably farmed wines
in the Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay area and Arroyo Seco in Monterey.
Wente Vineyards 2013
Morning Fog Livermore Valley Chardonnay offers crisp flavors of green apple
and tropical fruit with a touch of vanilla and toasty oak. It has a nice full body and balanced acidity
leading to a medium-ling refreshing finish.
Wente Vineyards 2013
Riva Ranch Chardonnay from Arroyo Seco in Monterey County is a particular
favorite reflecting the terroir of this perfect Chardonnay region. You will love the tropical fruit aromas and
flavors tied with great acidity and creamy notes of butter, vanilla and soft
oak. As Karl D. Wente, Fifth Generation
Winemaker, says, “Our Riva Ranch Chardonnay is beautifully rich, yet balanced
style of Chardonnay that represents what the Arroyo Seco appellation has to
give. This is distinctly a California
style of Chardonnay, but is consistently well balanced with ample acidity.”
The Wente 2014 Small
Lot Eric’s Chardonnay is from Livermore Valley, where the grapes are
handpicked and sorted at harvest time in order to ensure premium quality. This unoaked Chardonnay is a favored style of
Fourth Generation Winemaker Eric Wente.
It is clear and bright with a nice balance of fruit and acidity making
it refreshing by itself or with food.
You will enjoy the Chardonnay fruit qualities shining through with lemon
zest, green apple, citrus, pear, pineapple, and nectarine.
In honor of National Chardonnay Day on May 21 pick up a
bottle of Wente Chardonnay and toast this fine grape. You are encouraged to share your photos,
videos and comments through your social channels tagging #WenteChard and
#ChardonnayDay.
For more information:
Wente Vineyards