Tag Archive for 'Chardonnay'

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Chardonnay Article

Published on June 13, 2009 in Wine News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Here is a relevant article on where Chardonnay stands today in many consumers minds… I found it interesting mainly because even when Chardonnay is unpopular in the mind of a specific consumer, it is still talked about and never forgotten.  For example, it seems that consumers tend to compare other white varietals a lot of times to Chardonnay even if it’s not a wine that they drink anymore.  It forever stays in the mind of the consumer…

Chardonnay vines thrive in most wine producing regions around the world due to their ability to adapt to various soils, weather and cultivation practices. The grape itself is delicate and is easily influenced by winemaking techniques and growing conditions. Chardonnay can have a range of flavors, from the typical California style that boasts flavors of butter and oak, to the un-oaked, where crisp flavors of green apple and citrus dominate. Due to the many different styles of Chardonnay, it has enjoyed international fame as both a cocktail wine and a food wine.

In the 1990s, California Chardonnay became the most popular white wine in the United States, and wine consumers grew accustomed to the rich, buttery, oaky style of Chardonnay that California winemakers were known to produce.

Over the past few years, with the popularity of Sauvignon Blanc and other crisp white wines, a trend started with white wine aficionados to drink ABC — Anything But Chardonnay. What many failed to realize was it wasn’t the Chardonnay grape that they didn’t like, it was the heavy, buttery flavors that the oak barrels impart to the wine. Winemakers responded to this trend, and many California producers began to use less oak in their winemaking, and white wine drinkers began to rediscover the world of Chardonnay.

As a wine drinker, I have been enjoying rediscovering Chardonnay. I was never a fan of heavy, over-the-top, oaky Chardonnay. I understood the popularity, appreciated the style, and tasted as many as I could to keep informed, but I wasn’t one to drink that specific style of Chardonnay. I like Chardonnay that has a hint of oak, but not enough to make the wine heavy and rich… Full Article

So, whether or not Chardonnay is a favorite or not so favorite wine of yours, make sure that you at least try a few different styles before you give up.

Joanie Hudson, Director National and International Marketing
Santa Barbara Winery/Lafond Winery & Vineyards

Stylistically Speaking…

Published on May 27, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Sauvignon Blanc. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

Wine people are known to throw around such terms as ’stylistically,’ ‘nose,’ ‘palate,’ ‘oaked,’ ‘ML,’ and on and on down the sensory vocabulary list.  So why do these terms matter?  What makes one Sauvignon Blanc different than the next?  If you’ve had a wine of a particular varietal and liked it one time, doesn’t mean you’re going to like it the next.  This is where wine style comes into play.  For example, consumers typically form early opinions on the commonly bottled Chardonnay varietal.  If you had one too many glasses of a poorly made, over-oaked Chardonnay early in your wine drinking days, that stereotypical butter bomb descriptor may taint your impression of this type of wine for years to come (until you have tasted enough to see the enormous range of wine styles that this varietal can produce).  

Here is an excerpt from an interesting article from The Capital on this type of stylistic difference in Sauvignon Blanc, comparing the lush California style to a grassier New Zealand counterpart.  And herein lies the beauties of wine, and why it’s important to find your preference – it’s not that one is better than the other by any means, it just depends on the style that you prefer to sip on your patio.

But, oddly, the restaurant bottle we recently had didn’t seem to have a lot of the aggressive aromas we expect from the grape variety. And it had a lush texture – atypical of the mouth-puckering, grassy and crisply acidic character of sauvignon blanc.

Thinking the wine’s flavor had been scalped because of a flaw often associated with TCA, a chemical compound that is the primary cause of cork taint, Tom bought a second bottle the next day.

Although he expected to find a totally different wine, it was the same. So, what gives?

California is making its sauvignon blanc differently than New Zealand, Washington and other wine-growing regions.

The restaurant’s Sauvignon Blanc is blended with 25 percent semillon, a grape variety that tends to soften its assertive companion. The barrel fermentation and stirring of the lees also gives it a lush, sweet oak quality. The grassy, herbaceous notes associated with New Zealand versions are simply gone.

Whether this is good depends on what you want from sauvignon blanc. The grassy, grapefruit flavors are too strong for many folks, so the California version embodies the best assets of the grape without making your mouth pucker.

The grape known best in France’s Loire Valley, sauvignon blanc is a versatile wine for spring and summer weather. It can handle a serious chill and still taste good as an aperitif or alongside everything from a cold pasta to grilled chicken with a citrus preparation.

2007 Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc, 16.00

Full Article

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Ojai Wine Festival

Published on May 26, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Special Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

The 23rd Annual Ojai Wine Festival is coming up on Sunday, June 14, and we will be pouring a selection of six Santa Barbara Winery wines from noon to 5pm at the Lake Casitas Recreational Area.  Tickets are only $30 advance purchase, and $40 at the gate.  A ticket buys you entrance to the music filled event, ten tastes of beer of wine (35-40 wineries attending), and a souvenir wine glass.  This year they are trying out a Wine by the Glass area for $6 a glass in a lounge atmosphere with free hors d’oeuvres and music. 

Wines we will be pouring:

2007 Chardonnay

2007 Reserve Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills

2007 Riesling 7.3

2005 Sangiovese

2007 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

2006 Primitivo

Click Here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

A Trip to Santa Barbara

Published on May 17, 2009 in Joanie Hudson, Lafond Winery, Pierre Lafond Bistro and Santa Barbara Winery. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

Santa Barbara wine and fashion pioneers Pierre Lafond and Wendy Foster have spent the past few decades establishing and building an empire with businesses spread out between Montecito’s glitzy upper and lower villages, bustling State Street, and the serene vineyard packed Sta. Rita Hills.  An ocean side drive that spans about an hour in length can get you from one end of their trail to the other – shopping, wine and dining along the way.  

Trip length 2 days

Day 1

Pierre Lafond Market and Deli where a cluster of Pierre Lafond and Wendy Foster businesses are located on San Ysidro Road.  Enjoy wraps, sandwiches, deli entrees, and salads outside on the foliage-filled patio.  

Just next door from the Market, Wendy Foster has laid claim to three of the most talked about boutiques in Santa Barbara – Wendy Foster Dress Shop, Wendy Foster Sportswear, and home décor shop Upstairs.  The stores have been fixtures in Montecito since 1964.  Pick up an outfit for dinner at Wendy Foster and some colorful table accents for your home Upstairs.  

Make your way down to the lower village and walk up Coast Village Rd. to stop at Angel, a more contemporary and trend flaired boutique with labels like Vince, Juicy Couture, and whimsical Rebecca Taylor designs.   

From Coast Village Rd., head north into downtown Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone for a wine tasting at Santa Barbara Winery, the oldest post-Prohibition winery in Santa Barbara County.  Tasting hours are from 10am-5pm, and wine tasting includes six wines and your crystal logo glass ($5).  Sample award winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and lesser-known varietals such as Primitivo.   

Walk from wine tasting a few blocks up State Street to the Pierre Lafond Wine Bistro for dinner – bring a bottle from the winery and receive free corkage with your entrees.  Seasonal and fresh menu items from Flatbreads to Grilled Duck Breast are wine friendly and masterfully constructed.  Huge windows allow the space to be full of light until the sun goes down, and an outdoor patio is perfect for State Street people watching over your meal.  

Day 2

Return to the Pierre Lafond Bistro for breakfast and pick up a picnic lunch to bring up to the Lafond Vineyard for more wine tasting at the estate vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Thick Cut French Toast from the Griddle, Omelets, Scrambles, and Santa Maria Grilled Tri Tip with Eggs are among the AM menu.  

Hit the road with your box lunches and drive 45 minutes along the coast to Lafond Vineyard to sample the wines from Santa Barbara Winery’s sister winery.  The vineyard was planted in 1972 and provides fruit for both labels under the guidance of winemaker Bruce McGuire.  Taste through a selection of vineyard and Sta. Rita Hills appellation designated (SRH series) Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah at the vineyard site and enjoy an outdoor picnic over looking the yellowed and vibrant hillsides of the valley. 

www.pierrelafond.com
www.wendyfoster.com
www.sbwinery.com
www.upstairsatpierrelafond.com
www.lafondwinery.com

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Jesusita Fire Update

Published on May 7, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Tasting Room. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

If you are looking for updates on the current state of the Jesusita Fire burning in the hills of Santa Barbara, visit KEYT.com (our local news station).  As of right now (around noon on Thursday) the smoke isn’t as smoldering and overpowering as yesterday afternoon, and we are just hoping that the winds stay calm. 

The tasting room will remain open for regular business and normal hours, and our Wine Club Pick Up Party will still be happening on Saturday. 

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our Chardonnay Passport Tasting (these tastings happen the first Wednesday of each month) night at the Wine Bistro (www.pierrelafond.com) last night due to the falling ash and state of emergency of town. 

Please call the winery tasting room if you have any questions about the state of the fire in our area.

Again, we plan on being open for regular business and tastings from 10am-5pm through the weekend.

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

2009 Vintners’ Festival Recap

Published on April 19, 2009 in Joanie Hudson and Vintners Festival. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , .

I think that my favorite part about being on the pouring side of the table at the Vintners’ Festival is hearing peoples’ “tasting strategies” for navigating through the tremendous amounts of wines available to sample.  An intimidating venue? Maybe. But those who stuck with a strategic plan seemed to be pleased with their journies. 

While Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah are grown most successfully in Santa Barbara County, the variety beyond these wines is impressive.  Winemakers are growing these grapes while also experimenting with lesser known varietals, and this was evident at the festival. 

We had a range of wines to please different palates from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to Negrette, Primitivo, Riesling, and a wax sealed magnum of golden Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc.  A few tasters were only tasting Pinot Noirs, a few only Chardonnay, and a few were seeking out the small number of tables who were pouring a dessert wine or two.  And then there were the smirking faces of those who only wanted to taste the winemaker’s favorite, or flagship wine. 

The Lompoc event, held at River Park, was heavily attended, and the grass park venue was a perfect stomping ground for a beautiful (and unlike last year, warm) day.  The Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association hosts bi-annual gatherings like this for all of the member wineries to come together and proudly pour their wines for industry friends and guests.  The Vintners’ Festival (Spring) and the Harvest Festival (Fall) should not be missed by Central Coast wine lovers trying to keep up with what’s fresh, new, and delicious. 

I did get a chance to get out there and taste a couple of favorites (Palmina and Flying Goat Pinot Noirs).

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

Vintners’ Festival Wines

Published on April 15, 2009 in Joanie Hudson, Santa Barbara Winery and Special Events. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

Here are the wines that we will be pouring for the Santa Barbara Winery label at the Vintners’ Festival this Saturday, April 18.

2007 Chardonnay

Our Santa Barbara County Chardonnay is a lightly oaked, multi-vineyard blend.  45% barrel fermentation with the remainder done in stainless steel tanks produces a bright intensity of fruit and round mouthfeel.

2007 Pinot Noir

Velvety flavor and aromatic concentration jump out of the glass of our 2007 Pinot Noir.  Yields from our estate Lafond Vineyard and neighbor vineyard Arita Hills were low in this particular vintage due to a late frost.  These sites combine the juiciest berries from select vineyard rows, producing a classically soft textured Pinot Noir.

2006 Negrette Joughin Vineyard

Negrette traces its origins to the warm climate area north of Toulouse in southwestern France where it is known for its dark color and fragrant berry aroma and flavor.  Fans of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon usually are the most pleased when tasting this wine and are always intrigued by its obscure presence in the wine world.

2006 Primitivo Joughin Vineyard

Primitivo has recently been shown to be genetically identical to Zinfandel. Growing well in warmer climates, it has a more “sun kissed” quality than wines that come from cooler areas in Italy, such as Tuscany or Piedmont.  Primitivo is dark red with bold fruity flavors and an intense essence of sweetness while being bone dry.

2007 Riesling 7.3

The “7.3″ represents the amount of residual sugar in this Riesling.  On the sweeter side, its medium body is buoyed by sleek acidity and crisp ripe fruit and honeysuckle.  Very harmonious and leaves a lasting impression.

It’s not too late to purchase tickets for the Vintners’ Festival!

Joanie Hudson, Assistant Tasting Room Manager, Santa Barbara Winery

New Release Lafond Winery

Published on April 10, 2009 in Chardonnay, New Releases and SRH Wines. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Lafond Winery 2007 SRH Chardonnay

Located in the western Santa Ynez Valley, the Santa Rita Hills AVA is an ideal environment for growing intensely flavored full-bodied Chardonnay. This AVA is distinguished by a very cool and long growing season created by a convergence of unusual geography in this part of California.

During the summer, heat rising from the Mojave Desert 90 miles inland and the eastern boundary of our unique east-west system of mountains and valleys draws in cold air from the Pacific Ocean 15 miles to our West. This guarantees cool days and chilly nights during the long growing season of the nine-mile length of the Santa Rita Hills AVA.

A blend of three neighboring vineyards, the 2007 Chardonnay SRH is winemaker Bruce McGuire’s selection to showcase the ripe, concentrated Chardonnay for which the Santa Rita Hills is known.

2007 was one of those years that Winemaker Bruce McGuire had an embarassment of riches as a smaller than normal crop yielded excellent fruit quality (small clusters and berries) through most of the Chardonnay blocks from our Lafond Vineyard, our neighbor Hill Top Ranch, and the old Sanford and Benedict Vineyard just down Santa Rosa Road.

This wine is a good choice to pair with many cows’ milk cheeses such as Brie or Camembert, and as a nice surprise, the fantastic washed-rind triple-creme Cow Girl Creamery Red Hawk. Richer foods such as roast chicken or whole farm raised striped bass are also ideal pairings. This bottling will reward aging through 2013 and promises to be quite showy through 2016.

Suggested retail: 22.00/750ml
To order:

March in the Vineyard

Published on March 8, 2009 in Vineyard and Wine News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

These are photos taken last Saturday March 7. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are beginning to bud – just barely. The cover crop has grown, in spite of the very low rainfall, and needs to be cut. In some areas, where it is very sandy, it is cut and left to keep the soil in place, in others it will be cut and disked and turned into the soil so that it does not harbor harmful insects. The rows are narrow – 6 feet,  the tractor 4 feet and the ground is uneven. The driver in the photo is Enrique, our foreman. The last photo is a view form our upper vineyard looking south. The Lafond Winery is accross the river at the foot of the mountains.