Cupcake Chardonnay

Another one of the “goodbye wines”, I couldn’t resist opening this one because of the adorable decoration glued to the front of it by one of my former, creative co-workers.  They know the Chardy Girl likes to ride her bicycle, as well as sip her favorite wine.

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This chardonnay combines bright citrus with vanilla overtones and is not heavy in oak or butter. It has a clean nose with no off odors. It has an almost incisive, but not tart finish. Wine experts would describe that as “sharp in the finish” or even zippy or zesty. I say that it finishes with a sensation of tanginess on my tongue. It’s not offensive or tart, but the wine just lets you know that it’s there. The majority of the grapes come from Monterey County and the flavor is pretty representative of Central Coast chardonnays. The alcohol content is 13.5%.

Cupcake Chardonnay is not a premier chardonnay to save for a special dinner with friends. But it is a good utility wine, imminently drinkable. It is budget priced and can often be found on sale at your local grocery story for as low as $7 or $8.

 

Rendez-vous Chardonnay

I love the Sacramento River Delta and its wine tasting region so it’s fitting that my first review should be from a winery in Clarksburg. Today, I’m tasting a 2012 chardonnay from Rendez-vouz Winery, one of the many “goodbye wines” from my former co-workers (see the picture and story behind the “goodbye wines”).

A good chardonnay can be served un-chilled and this one came straight from my wine cellar. The color is a faint yellow, lighter in color than some chardonnays. The nose is very clean with vanilla overtones, I taste butterscotch in the mouth, and this wine shows some body with a creamy, lingering finish. The alcohol content is 14.4%.

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The label on the bottle is perfect. It reads “Share your passion”. I’m passionate about chardonnay and I give this particular wine two thumbs up.

Where to Buy Rendez-vous Chardonnay:

Rendez-vous chardonnay can be purchased directly from the winery, either online Sugar Mill Wineries or in their tasting room, located in the Old Sugar Mill. The Old Sugar Mill is a collection of wineries at 35265 Willow Avenue, just down the road from Clarksburg, California, in the Sacramento River Delta (read more about this wine tasting region here).

The wine retails for $24.00 a bottle, but wine club members save an additional 20%. To learn more about Rendez-vous Winery, visit their website.