Welcome to the ELR Wine 101 class!
Glad you all could make it 🙂 First up, white wine!
Most wine newbies love white wine, especially Chardonnay, which I affectionately refer to as “Chardonnay-nay” as my wine instructor at school called it. If you aren’t used to drinking wine, whites are a great way to go because they are light, often fruity and can be paired with just about anything. There’s a few different types of white wine that y’all should be made familiar with if you want to impress your cute Total Wine guy (or your dinner guests).
Here’s a list of the biggies to be memorized:
- Chardonnay-nay
- Sauvignon Blanc (or Fume Blanc)
- Pinot Grigio (referred to as Pinot Gris in France)
- Riesling
- Gewurztraminer (which is hard to say after a few glasses)
(other whites include Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Semillion, Sauternes and blends but for times sake we shall just discuss the “big 5” as I like to call them)
If you are just getting into the whole wine thing and really have NO idea what to even look for at the store, I recommend a light Sauvignon Blanc. Why is this? Because Sauvignon Blancs are often zesty, refreshing and fruity. You don’t have to worry about what to pair it with (it goes with everything as far as I’m concerned), its easy to drink and most are very affordable. Unlike some Chardonnays, which can be quite oaky, Sauvignon Blancs tend to be more fruity, making it a great choice for a newbie with a very sensitive palate. Most Sauvignon Blancs have flavors of melon, citrus, passion fruit and pear. Can you say holy yum? 😉
New Zealand makes some great Sauvignon Blancs but so does California. Sauvignon Blanc is actually California’s second most popular wine….Chardonnay-nay is first of course!
Yum:
Even better: most places sell Murphy-Goode Sauvignon Blanc for less than $12!! Now that’s a deal.
Now, onto Chardonnay-nay
To be honest, I’ve had many a Chardonnay that I like but I’ve also had some just plain awful ones. But that’s the really cool thing about wine! I think it is just so fascinating that no two wines are the same. Chardonnay grapes could grow literally right next to each other and the whole wine making process could be the same but the end product taste differently. It all depends on so many things…the soil, the sunshine, the climate……A LOT goes into that delicious little bottle! One time I was at a restaurant with some friends. One of my friends is a HUGE wine-O and wanted to impress us all by ordering two bottles of his favorite Chardonnay for the table. He said he had a bottle of this same kind of Chardonnay at home and just loves it. Well, the server opened the bottle and poured us all glasses and we ALL (even HIM) agreed it was awful! It tasted nothing like the “same wine” he had at home. How strange is that?!
You’ve gotta be careful with the Chardonnay-nay, especially if you are a newbie. Some Chards can be so oaky that they are almost un-palatable, while others are so floral and high in alcohol that it makes you want to gag. The trick is to know the vineyard and also know what you like. Oaky Chards may just rock your world. I know many people that adore them. However, personally, I tend to swing more towards the side tropical fruit flavors, like lemon and grapefruit (but not cat pee, which is seriously a term that is used to characterize the smell of some Chardonnay LOL) or vanilla and butterscotch. Word in the grapevine (haha) is that the new trend in California is to slowly make the move away from high oak and go more towards low oak, which many people are rejoicing about (myself included).
You can find some great Chardonnay for under $15 for sure. I’m all for saving money but when it comes to Chardonnay you really have to be careful and not get a super cheap brand. Super cheap = wine made with fake oak powder or sickly sweet. Some of the worst hangovers I’ve experienced have been a result of cheap Chard in college. Learn from my mistakes, friends.
Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris, is another great choice for newbies
I LOVE a good Pinot Grigio because it goes with just about anything and is just so light and refreshing. If Chardonnay ain’t your thing, you may adore Pinot Grigio because to me, its just the opposite. Rarely is there any trace of smoke or oak in Pinot Grigio; rather, most are crisp and fruity.
Not sure what I am talking about when I say “dry” or “crisp”? Have you ever had a glass of wine and the second it hits your tongue you feel like your tongue dries up dramatically? Sort of like sucking on a really sour jolly rancher? That, my friends, is dry. Dry wine can be a good thing and a not-so-good thing but it just depends on what your tastes are. Personally, I like a dry white wine, but not overly so.
Yummy Pinot Grigios have flavors of apple, peach, melon, orange and pear and are delicious when served with appetizers before dinner….or anytime! 😉
Like with Chardonnay, you can find some great deals on Pinot Grigio but again, I wouldn’t go so low you are in the low single digits. All that will do for you is give you a migraine. When I buy Pinot Grigio I tend to stay in the range of $10-$18. Never going over $20 unless its for some crazy special occasion.
Last up on our white wine lecture are the two sweetie-pies of the group, Riesling and Gewurztraminer
I used to be VERY anti these wines because I always thought sweet wines = bad headache (I had way too much Arbor Mist as a teenager…..bad, bad, BAD experience). Really though, while that can be true (and true of ANY wine if you drink enough of it!), sweet wines are great when paired with the right food. I really didn’t get into Rieslings at all until my wine class at school and I remember being absolutely SHOCKED when I tasted a few that were really wonderful! Sweet, but not too sweet and very drinkable.
Riesling is traditionally a German wine because the grapes rely on a very cool climate to thrive. However, some areas in the States make Rieslings as well, such as California and the Pacific Northwest (Mmmmmm those are good!). If you are looking for a good Riesling that isn’t too sweet, ask your wine dude how dry and sweet it is. A lot of Rieslings have slightly sweet floral notes and they all go very well with food.
I remember having a “mystery glass of wine” at this wine bar under my apartment while in college. I was still in my “I-hate-sweet-wines-because-arbor-mist-made-me-puke” stage and when the bartender told me I was actually drinking a Riesling, not a Pinot Grigio like I thought, I was astounded and actually wrote down the name of the wine to go find on my own…it was THAT good!
Gewurztraminers are also traditionally sweeter wines. I’m not a huge fan in general but I like them after dinner for more of a dessert wine. Its been said that when a Gewurztraminer is good, it is very good. But when a Gewuzrtraminer is BAD, it is very, very, very bad.
So that sums up Day 1 of ELR Wine 101! I hope you all learned something interesting and your homework is to have a glass of white wine tonight!
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)
July 13, 2009 at 1:13 pmVery interesting! Is it true that white wines also provide antioxidant benefits? Or is that mostly red wine? I love drinking red wine – it feels indulgent AND a little bit good for me 🙂
Cait (Cait's Plate)
July 13, 2009 at 1:27 pmSo cool Jenna – love it 🙂
Becca
July 13, 2009 at 1:30 pmThanks so much for posting this Jenna! I love my reds, but I’m a complete newbie when it comes to whites. Your descriptions will be very helpful as I try more and more whites. Can’t wait for the next part of the series!
Help Meghan Run
July 13, 2009 at 1:33 pmWhat great info! I’ll be sure to bookmark this so I can use it when I am of legal drinking age. 😉
HelpMeghanRun.com
Amber
July 13, 2009 at 1:37 pmgreat post!! Hope I get to wine taste with you!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs)
July 13, 2009 at 1:39 pmThanks Jenna – what a great primer! I tend to stick to reds and roses, but I do love gewurztraminers. The ones I’ve had have been less sweet than many of the rieslings I’ve tried but still delicious.
Christie @ Quit Your Diet
July 13, 2009 at 1:41 pmThanks for sharing. I have yet to taste a Chardonay that I like. I do not like the oaky flavor at all. Is there a particular one you would recommend?
Shelly
July 13, 2009 at 1:41 pmGreat post! I actually started out drinking Gewurtztraminers and Rieslings, but have since moved on to dry reds. 🙂 Do you have a favorite not-too oakey Chardonnay you can suggest?
jenna
July 13, 2009 at 1:44 pmShelly,
I promise I’m not saying this because of my upcoming job interview, but I honestly do recommend MG for chardonnay. My mom bought a bottle and I remember being shocked because it wasn’t too oaky and was nice, light and floral. A LOT of california chards are waaaay too oaky for me but I was pleasantly surprised by murphy goode. I don’t buy chardonnays a lot myself because they aren’t my favorite type of wine. Really, the only time I drink them is when I’m at a party or something so other recommendations are failing me. Cakebread makes a nice one but is really expensive!
Kelly
July 13, 2009 at 1:42 pmI’m generally more of a hearty red girl, but I love a good reisling. It’s one of the few wines my boyfriend and I can agree with. Kung Fu Girl is one of my faves and pretty well rated according to Wine Spectator. I also fell in love with Chardonnays while in the Russian River Valley in CA. The Ironhorse wines were absolutely amazing and I am dying to go back. Sadly I have drank my way through most of my bottles and wish I could go back for more. Luckily I think a trip to the Pacific Northwest is in my future so I’m sure I’ll be drinking lots of good wine there. 🙂
Mandy A
July 13, 2009 at 1:45 pmI am definitely more of a red girl myself… but this is awesome! I have been wanting to try out some white wines this summer… you are going to be a big help with that! thank you!
Recipes for Creativity
July 13, 2009 at 1:46 pmJenna, is Murphy-Goode sold all over? I live in NC and looked for a bottle of their anything last night at the grocery store, but couldn’t find one. Do I need to go to a wine-only specialty shop to find them?
Great post, I loved learning about whites! The first time I ever had Reisling was when I was visiting a winery in New Zealand and I LOVED it! I’ve never had one quite as good as the bottle I ended up buying there, but I do like it. I’m not a chardonnay (nay) fan, but I think I’ll try a bottle of Pinot Grigio after reading this post.
Samantha
July 13, 2009 at 1:46 pmI’m stoked for this wine series! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try some nice, light whites. (-:
Julie
July 13, 2009 at 1:47 pmI have been toying with wine pairings and tastings for a few years, but I am always up for learning more – I am not very familiar with chardonnays..this post made me want to pick up a few bottles this weekend and do an informal tasting!
Alison
July 13, 2009 at 1:49 pmThank you, that was really informative. I don’t drink, but I’ve always been fascinated by wine, especially the beautiful bottles and labels. Even though I’ll never drink the wines you talked about, I’m still always happy to learn somthing new. Even the designated driver can impress the socks off her friends with her wine knowledge, right?
Brie
July 13, 2009 at 1:57 pmThanks! Really interesting. Stupid question probably–should you chill these white wines at all?
jenna
July 13, 2009 at 7:39 pmBrie,
Yes! White wine should definitely be served chilled to the max!
Recipes for Creativity,
Yep…you might just have to search for it. I’ve found it at Total Wine and at my local ABC shop so if you don’t have a total wine, look there. One of my friends said she also found it at our local grocery store!
Ashley
July 13, 2009 at 1:57 pmGreat Lesson! I think you would be perfect for the Murphy-Goode job just from this one post!!!! I’m going to check my local wine store tonight to see if they carry it. I’m excited to read your post about Reds. =)
Emily (A Nutritionist Eats)
July 13, 2009 at 2:00 pmI’m more of a red wine gal but I think I’m going to give the Sauvingnon Blanc a try – it sounds delicious and perfect for warm days!
Leah
July 13, 2009 at 2:00 pmI’m not huge on whites but this was a good post! It also makes me want to try more! I’m like you, not really a fan of the super sweet Rieslings and Gewurtz but with the right dish, they are delightful. Looking forward to the reds! Are you going to talk about how to pick up the different flavors at all?
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini)
July 13, 2009 at 2:04 pmThanks for all the info Jenna!
Although despite being a newbie I am partial to red =) Can’t resist a good pinot noir…Mmmm, I can taste it now!
I love Cartlidge and Browne for Chardonnay…really delicious!
Sheri
July 13, 2009 at 2:08 pmThis was a great post! I have always been a red girl myself…but lately have been branching out and trying whites. It is because of you that I tried a Pino Grigio and really like it! Wish I could get my hands on some MG but alas I live in Alberta, Canada and cannot! Pooh!
leslie
July 13, 2009 at 2:12 pmi love this post. i am a huge wine fan and am always trying to learn more about it, especially wine and food pairings. and i love dry rieslings in the summer!
Nekeisha
July 13, 2009 at 2:13 pmI don’t drink alchohol but I cook with wine and I really liked the Sauvignon Blanc. I prefer to cook with wines that I like the taste of (usually it’s just a tongue-taste). I am definitely up to reds because I have not liked any that I have tried but the whites are perfect for my novice palette.
Laura
July 13, 2009 at 2:14 pmJenna- Great post! I would love to hear what everyone’s favorite whites are… I would ask you the same question but they may not all be from California, which is the focus right now! 🙂 My favorites are Kim Crawford and Whitehaven for sauvignon blancs, Dr L for riesling and Crios for torrontes!
Mary
July 13, 2009 at 2:19 pmJenna,
Great info! I just started drinking white wines this summer and love the Pinot Grigio..next up is the Sauvignon blanc. For some reason I thought the Sauvignon Blanc was suppose to be a very dry wine. I’ll be getting a bottle today to try it out.
thanks!
Colette
July 13, 2009 at 2:23 pmThanks for the great info! I’ve been wanting to experiment more with wines and this info will really help. Thanks! Can’t wait for the next installment.
Shannon (The Daily Balance)
July 13, 2009 at 2:33 pmThanks for this! I’m definitely a newbie, so I love all the info 😉
J
July 13, 2009 at 2:48 pmHi Jenna! There was a great feature on “The Splendid Table” a few weeks ago regarding unoaked Chardonnays. Very interesting! The link is here: http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/listings/090613/
I recently went to a restaurant that specializes in pan-Asian cuisine and our waiter recommended a gewurztraminer that paired wonderfully with our food. It’s so fascinating how a certain type of wine can really enhance a particular cuisine!
Andee
July 13, 2009 at 2:54 pmHi Jenna! Thanks for posting this, I have always wanted to learn more about wine and has prohibited me from becoming a real “wine drinker”. Your post simplifies all the different types of wine and what I should look for. I’m going to Napa Valley next week, hopefully I’ll find a couple wines I like. I recently started a blog, please check it out when you can thanks!
Kim
July 13, 2009 at 3:18 pmExcellent post! 🙂
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
July 13, 2009 at 3:24 pmSuch interesting info Jenna! You certainly know your stuff! 🙂
Sarah
July 13, 2009 at 3:27 pmThanks for explaining the differences so concisely. Makes it a bit easier to navigate the liquor store 🙂
Sarah
July 13, 2009 at 3:36 pmGreat post!! I’m a red wine drinker slowly learning to like white wine – I may come back to review this post again! Thanks 🙂
Hallie
July 13, 2009 at 3:44 pmThanks for posting this! Now I’m def going to branch out next time I order white wine at a restaurant. BTW, an AWESOME Chard (but a little pricey if it’s not on sale) is La Crema. It’s so smooth and almost buttery. Love it!
Skye
July 13, 2009 at 4:04 pmHey Jenna!
Got a little clarification for you… what is the difference between Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio?? You mentioned that Sauvignon Blanc is “zesty and fruity” while Pinot Grigio is “crisp and fruity”. Great post by the way:)
postcollegecook
July 13, 2009 at 4:10 pmI am definitely having a glass of white wine tonight! Going to a dinner party where the host promised some Reisling (she also mentioned a rosé wine — I’d like to hear your take on those!)
bibixs
July 13, 2009 at 4:12 pmGreat post Jenna! I love white wine, but i can’t stand red wine, except it is lambrusco.. mm i don’t know if i spelled that right!
are you including champagne in your posts? that would be very interesting!
have a nice day 🙂
katie s
July 13, 2009 at 4:28 pmVery interesting, Jenna!! Thanks for putting in all this research! What is a Riesling that you would recommend? Because I for one have found most that I’ve tried much too sweet!
Michelle @ Find Your Balance
July 13, 2009 at 4:35 pmGreat info! I usually go for red wine, but Reisling is my favorite white. Delicious!
runjen
July 13, 2009 at 4:39 pmLoves it!!
Natalie
July 13, 2009 at 4:48 pmAwesome post! I love all types of wines, but one of my favorite whites is Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay. It’s the best 🙂
Kath
July 13, 2009 at 4:56 pmYour post made me want a glass ASAP!
There are a’plenty of single-digit wines I love 😉
And bring me an oaky Chard any day! The butterier the better.
Erin
July 13, 2009 at 5:00 pmBeing a lover of all things wine, this was such a fun post for me to read! And you betchurbutt New Zealand makes fantastic Sauvignon Blancs. They’re my fav! And I much prefer screw top bottles…the wine tastes cleaner to me.
M
July 13, 2009 at 5:06 pmJenna, I loved this post! I’ve always been kind of intimidated by learning about wines–I thought it’d be super hard and that there’d be tons of facts that I wouldn’t be able to remember. But your post made it seem like a lot of fun! The information, coupled with your personality coming through in the description, made for an entertaining post. I’m looking forward to my homework!
meagan
July 13, 2009 at 5:15 pmif you like rieslings that aren’t sweet try alsatian (from alsace, france)—they’re more minerally and clean tasting. mmm…tasty. great short & sweet post about beginning in wine, jenna! 🙂
ShutupandRun
July 13, 2009 at 5:26 pmJenna, I’m a huge lover of Chardonnay-nay. Wondering what some of your faves are other than the obvious Murphy Goode??
jenna
July 13, 2009 at 7:37 pmshutupandrun,
Honestly, i don’t drink much chardonnay-nay so I rarely buy it or order it out. I loved the MG but I’m hesitant to give you another recommendation just because I haven’t tried too many of them and don’t want to lead you astray. My parents love Mondavi and Woodbridge, if that says anything. I don’t really care for either though to be honest with you. If I order a chardonnay out, it would most likely be from France since when in doubt, I stick to French wines! 😉
Still Life in South America
July 13, 2009 at 5:38 pmGreat info, Jenna. I like citrusey Chardonnays as well, especially with a flavor of grapefruit.
Adding oak powder?!? That sounds absolutely horrifying. 🙁
courtney
July 13, 2009 at 5:40 pmThis was a great post! I am a Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Grigio lover when it comes to whites–not a fan of the sweet wines and I can’t stand Chardonnay… I am with Laura on the White Haven and Kim Crawford Sauvs, but I would love to try the Murphy Goode! It is on my list next time I hit up the LQ, which will most likely be tonight after this! 😉
Amanda
July 13, 2009 at 5:44 pmAwesome post! I’ve learned so much already! I’m curious though, where does white zinfandel fall? I LOVE white zinfandel. I could drink it all day just because it’s so sweet and yummy! Unfortunately, I cannot find another type of wine, besides white Merlot, that I like. I want to branch out and like other types but I’m kinda stuck in my white zin rut! haha Any recommendations?
MMiller
July 13, 2009 at 6:01 pmThanks so much Jenna! What a great help! And for the person in NC, try Total Wine and more! They have such a variety and are very knowledgeable! And wine tastings every day! I can’t wait to hit the wine store now! I want to try some different wines!
Brynne
July 13, 2009 at 6:03 pmThis is great, Jenna, thank you so much! I think the only white I’ve ever had is Chardonnay and I want to start expanding. I’ve never even heard of Gewurztraminer and now I really want to try a Riesling!
K
July 13, 2009 at 6:08 pmThank you so much! I’ve been loving white wines lately so this helped a lot!! I saw your reply to Shelly but I was wondering if maybe in the next series (reds) you could give your favorite tried and true brands of wine as well?
jenna
July 13, 2009 at 7:33 pmK,
I definitely will! I have more for reds than whites because that’s really what I drink the most of. I rarely buy whites…I usually just drink white wine out and keep red at home!
Amanda,
Errr no comment on the white zin. hahahahaha i got SO SICK off Arbor Mist when I was 18 that I can’t even look at that stuff. Lots of people like white zin but it really is known as a “party wine” and, unfortunately, not taken very seriously. The only kind of white zin I know of is Beringer (sp?). Just be careful with it……too many glasses will DEF. give you a headache! If you want to branch out (and you should) i recommend sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, both are very light white wines that tend to be on the fruity side!
Melissa
July 13, 2009 at 6:09 pmJenna, Thanks for this post. It was very informative. I LOVE that you call Chardonnay “chardonnay-nay”. I’m going to have to start doing that. My favorite memory in college involved drinking a bottle of Reisling and when my boyfriend asked me what I was drinking I yelled “Reisling bitches!” and then fell down a flight of stairs. I’m classy like that 😉 Love that stuff.
Kate
July 13, 2009 at 6:25 pmDon’t forget about the ultimate alternative to the Chardonnay-the Viogn-YEAH (Viognier). Seriously. Try one from California!
Nicole
July 13, 2009 at 6:27 pmNicely done! I really hope you get the job. I am craving some wine now…. especially for Bastille day. I miss Paris = (
Meghan@traveleatlove
July 13, 2009 at 6:29 pmWe visited a few vineyards yesterday and bought a bunch of vidal blanc. I was going to save opening it, but per your instructions will have a glass 🙂
If you ever need anyone to write a wine guest post, sign me up!
stephanie
July 13, 2009 at 6:41 pmI’ve tried a lot of wine, but it seems the only kind I like is Moscato D’asti – but it’s hard to find (especially at restaurants)! Why is that?
jenna
July 13, 2009 at 7:36 pmStephanie,
Mmmmm I love me some Moscato D’asti!!!! We tried it at a tasting at school and I fell in love. You’re right though–its not offered a lot at restaurants and honestly, I’m not really sure why. If I remember correctly, its quite pricey right? I know you can find it at Total Wine though for less than at a regular wine shop…Total Wine has the best prices around! My wine instructor at school affectionately referred to Moscato D’asti as “liquid crack”. enough said.
Sara
July 13, 2009 at 6:55 pmLove it! What a great post! I’ve been trying to “get into” wine, but the ones I get just don’t do anything for me. I can’t wait to try some of the sweeter/beginner ones that you suggest. Thanks for the great post!
Niki
July 13, 2009 at 7:01 pmThis was a great overview of white wines! Makes me a little thirsty reading about them. 😉
emily c
July 13, 2009 at 7:57 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, and I think it’s fantastic! You have so many good foodie tips (and great pictures). I am really excited you are doing these wine posts. I don’t know a single thing about wine, and I thank you for putting it all in simple, straightforward terms.
I can’t wait to read the next blog! And good luck with your upcoming interview! 🙂
Lizzie
July 13, 2009 at 8:26 pmThanks Jenna!! I know absolutely nothing about wine (more of a cocktail gal myself), but have always at least wanted to know the basics so I don’t feel like a doofus when order! Just skimmed it now, but am going to read through in more detail later.
Shelly
July 13, 2009 at 8:52 pmJenna, have you tried Vino Verde? I really love Famega- it’s a really light, dry Portuguese white and that’s what it’s called.
I also love Sancerre, which is a type of French Savignon Blanc, I think.
I’ll have to see if I can find some MG to try! I’m not sure if I can find them here in New Orleans but it’s definitely worth checking out!
I’ve tried Cakebread Chardonnay- it is really good but you are right, it is pricey! I’m actually partial to Elderton unoaked Chardonnay (It’s Australian, I think.) Have you tried that?
I can’t wait till your post on red wines! They’re my favorites- although now that it’s hot I do drink more whites b/c they are so cool and refreshing. 🙂
Amanda
July 13, 2009 at 9:13 pmThanks for the suggestions! I will definitely try those two! I do want to branch out. I love variety! :o)
Karla
July 13, 2009 at 9:15 pmJenna, thanks for the interesting lecture on white wine! All I know about wine is that I like most kinds, so I really got alot out of your post today. Great idea!
Tina
July 13, 2009 at 9:44 pmLove it!! Thanks!!! 🙂
Jenna (reader)
July 13, 2009 at 11:17 pmI am SO excited to learn more about wine. I didn’t realize that a wine could vary so much within the same category! I can’t wait for the next post!! Thanks for the FREE education 🙂
Marianna
July 14, 2009 at 3:23 amThank you Jenna for the good information! I have started drinking white wines recently and I am enjoying the taste and flavour…I will remember your suggestions next time I have a glass of white!
Marika
July 14, 2009 at 6:43 amHi! This may be my first comment on your blog, so I think I’m de-lurking :-). I loved this first wine post… I’ve learned a bit about wine over the years through a semester in Italy and a few tastings in various parts of the world, but I feel like I don’t follow up on my “education” enough and tend to forget what I’ve learned. I should change that! Also, I find Gewurztraminers to have the oddest smell… they smell more like food than wine to me.
ann
July 14, 2009 at 10:02 amFor German Reislings, the word “Trocken” on the label means it is dry rather than sweet. just a tip!
Marcia
July 14, 2009 at 10:48 amThanks for the tips! I am a member of a local winery, and their Gewurstraminer is so lovely…then I bought a different one, and it was so sweet it was undrinkable. They have a great Chenin Blanc too.
Cat pee, eh? I’ve never heard that description of chard. I’m a chemical engineer, and I always described it often as “tastes/smells like acetone”.
JavaChick
July 14, 2009 at 11:41 amReislings are my favorite and I’ve had some really good Guwertztraminers too. I don’t think I’ve ever had a Chardonnay that I liked, will have to give Pinot Grigio a try.
Laura Brandon
July 15, 2009 at 11:40 pmI loved this! I can’t wait to learn more about wine! Man, I hope you get that job, because if not, Murphy Goode is just blind to great talent!
I’m off to have a great glass of wine now! I, however, will be having a wine you haven’t mentioned yet, rosé! It’s what I have open and don’t feel like opening any of my whites. It’s going to be yum though!