"Chardonnay" news and stories

Is Chardonnay the new Pinot Noir? Well, it is in Vertical, the literary sequel to Sideways, Rex Pickett's novel that became a feature-film hit of the same name (and which I'm reading now). In Vertical, it's seven years after Sideways ends, and main character Miles Raymond is showing his mom around California and Oregon wineries. (I won't reveal any more because I hate a spoiler, too.) Her vice is Chardonnay. After reading all of the wine descriptions in this novel, I was craving a flight of chilled, crisp Chardonnay and so I indulged by tasting some bottles from Sonoma, California.

Here are four favorites from this wine region that are among Sonoma's best Chardonnays. Their prices are shockingly affordable, too -- many of California's best Chardonnays run $50-$60, and these bottles run $13-$24.

Chateau St. Jean 2009 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ($14)
A very delicate-style Chardonnay, the wine expresses bright lemon-y notes and some mango. Its finish has length and excellent mouthfeel.

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma County, California ($14)
Rich and creamy, the Chardonnay also has a nice crispness with green-apple and lime notes that are light in acidity but full in flavor, paired with vanilla mid-palate. Its silky mouthfeel contributes to a long finish.

Schug Carneros Estate 2008 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California ($24)
Tropical-fruit notes on this buttery-style Chardonnay are balanced and mildy acidic, and mingle with pear and peach before sliding into an elegant finish.

DeLoach Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($13)
Vibrant mouthfeel and a floral undercurrent are preceded by a nose of crushed rose petals and apples. Its Asian-pear notes are not overly acidic, and there's a touch of effervesence throughout before a finish that's elegant and laced with tropical-fruit notes.

Click here for the best Napa Chardonnays.

Deep, dark and luscious Cabs get all the rap when it comes to Napa, California. For something a little lighter, turn to the region's Chardonnays, which don't explode with toasty-oak or tropical-fruit qualities. Instead, Chardonnays from this region settle somewhere in between, with ample minerals and complex notes of florals and stone fruits. This white-wine varietal has enough legs to be enjoyed during the cooler months, so don't hesitate to pair it with dishes containing pork, figs or creamy sauces, or any number of wintertime comfort foods (such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes or macaroni and cheese).

In a recent tasting of Napa Chardonnays these were our seven favorites.

Napa Cellars 2009 Mount Veeder Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($32)
Jasmine on the nose is a seductive surprise and it leads into a lively body with rose-petal notes and a touch of toasty oak. Its lengthy finish is indulgent, allowing time for the mildly citrus flavors to be savored.

Waterstone Winery 2008 Chardonnay, Carneros ($18)
Bright and fresh, this Chardonnay also exhibits jasmine aromas. Pineapple notes on the finish are a nice surprise after a palate that's balanced and clean and filled with lively pear, green apple and nectarine fruits.

Schug Carneros Estate 2008 Chardonnay, Carneros ($28)
Very bright and with an acidic backbone, the pineapple nose is a hint of the sweetness to come with plenty of grapefruit notes and a crisp, clean finish.

Because the majority of Chardonnay wines are produced in California, we thought it would be fun to taste Chards from other regions, from Argentina to Oregon. Even sourced outside of California, this wine is perfect for summer with a floral nose, fruity notes and a backbone of mild acidity.

Pairing Chardonnay with food is not as easy as you might think. That's because it depends on whether the wine in question was aged in oak or stainless steel, and in which region the grapes were grown. But, for the most part, you can sip Chardonnay with these seafood and summer-time favorites and you won't be disappointed: lobster (especially if it's an oaky, buttery Chardonnay), scallops (for Chardonnay that's aged in stainless steel), tuna, avocado, corn (with lots of butter!) or honeydew melon.

If you're looking to stray from the beaten path and sip a Chardonnay from somewhere other than California, after the jump, find our seven picks, all under $20.

• If you've bought an ice cream cone recently, you may have experienced a little sticker shock.
• As long as we're on the subject, have you had egg-free ice cream lately?
• L.A. has been taken over by guerillas -- in the form of LudoBites, and they like it.
• California Chardonnays aren't what they once were, and for some people that's a good thing.
• Tamarind Tribeca takes you from Punjab to Madras to Calcutta.

Chardonnay is a very versatile grape, growing well in regions ranging from warmer climates, like those of Australia, to the cooler Russian River Valley in Sonoma. Chardonnay is believed to trace back to the Burgundy region of France, where it remains the dominant white-wine grape, and the second most widely planted grape in the country.

Relatively easy to grow and a top pick for many palates, Chardonnay can be laced with tropical-fruit notes (as with New World Chardonnay) or minerals (more so with Chablis), depending on where it's grown. Even within the state of California are varied tastes, from Sonoma in the North to the Santa Rita Hills area along the Central Coast.

Here are five Chardonnays I've recently sipped and enjoyed. And at a price point of under $12, they keep in line with any New Year's resolutions to save money.