"napa wines" news and stories

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.

As is the case with these things the battle over Two Buck Chuck having Napa on the label has finally been settled. The wines, officially called Charles Shaw made the headlines as being of (generally) reasonable to good quality at just $1.99.

A lawsuit was brought against the producers, Bronco Wine Co., by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control after a request from the Napa Valley Vintners trade group. The wines label ran counter to a 6 year old state law that at least 75% of the grapes used to make wine must be grown in the county named on the label.

Bronco Wine Co. agreed to drop "Napa" from the label of a wine made with grapes grown outside Napa Valley wine region. Two of Bronco's Napa-named wines will contain Napa grapes, the company said.

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