"white wine" 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.

In celebration of Labor Day we'd like to introduce you to a handful of white wines to help close out the summer in proper style. There's no need to put away the whites just yet. Savor a few white wines before autumn's cooler nights debut because then it will be a sultry, spicy red wine you crave, right?

With all-American spirit, these bottles contain grapes grown in the U.S. and made into fantastic wines by California wineries. And they all cost under $10, leaving you room to splurge on food for a Labor Day barbecue (summer's last hurrah?).

We had to taste a lot of bottles to come up with these six. It was not an easy task, for many at this price point just aren't -- quite honestly -- that great.

Find our best bets after the jump!

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.

When it's summertime I can't help but daydream about a trip to the French countryside. Think fields of lavender in bloom and birds chirping. I pedal my little bicycle to the farmers market in search of bread and cheese. Each afternoon I uncork chilled white wine from a nearby producer. This is my fantasy trip to France anyway...

In lieu of plane tickets, we recently tasted some white wines from the Loire Valley. We can assure you that these five are perfect warm-weather sippers, a cool relief from the hot weather that each July brings.

Find our favorites after the jump.

Until I became a wine writer, very few Pinot Grigios hit the spot.

That's because most – whether from Italy, where it's an extremely common varietal, or California – lack complexity and depth. Considered a wine to appease all palates, the problem is that it rarely rates high with any of those. Many of these Pinot Grigios are "watered-down," mass-produced wines designed to be sold at a very low price or put on a restaurant menu with little regard for whether or not it's a solid choice.

Yet because of their light body and high acidity, and elegant notes of peach and apricot, carefully picked Pinot Grigios are perfect for picnics or backyard dining. Various seafood dishes, so long as the accompanying sauces or spices are not robust, make excellent pairings. (One of our favorites is soft-shell crab, with salmon or oysters as close seconds.)

After the jump, find our five favorite Pinot Grigios from a recent tasting.