We Should All Have Chardonnay This Good

Grgich Hills Estate began in 1977, founded by Miljenko Grgich and Austin Hills. Miljenko may be tough to pronounce, so you can call him Mike. He crafted the famous 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that beat France in the 1976 Paris Tasting, so he knows a bit about what he's doing.

The 2022 Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley Chardonnay carries alcohol at 14.1% abv and retails for $53. 2022 is the first vintage of this wine to be Regenerative Organic Certified. That's an organic system that seeks not only to minimize damage to the earth, but to regenerate the soil from which much of our food comes.

This wine has a yellow-gold tint to it. The nose brings some of that buttery popcorn aroma, which is joined by Meyer lemon, tangerine, lime, vanilla, and apricot. The flavors are delicious. Citrus, vanilla, pear, and a wealth of minerality make for a delightful drinking experience. The palate also features a tangy, food-friendly acidity. This is an elegant wine. Don't waste it on a ham sandwich. Make something nice for yourself.

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Austrian Bubbles, Dry As A Bone

This bubbly wine comes from Weingut Peter Schandl in Rust, in the Austrian state of Burgenland, where bubbles are called sekt. The city was made official in 1681 in exchange for a passel of money and 500 buckets of wine. Nice deal! 

The 2021 Mint Furmint Extra Brut was made in the traditional method, just like Champagne, except there is no dosage. That's the addition of a sugary liquid which is part of the production of most sparkling wines. Mint is a single variety (Furmint) and a single vintage (2021). The grapes were harvested from vines which were planted in 2002. This bubbly was aged on the lees for more than 40 months. Alcohol sits at 13% abv and the retail price is $23. 

This wine shows a nice, white froth which dissipates quickly, leaving a pale yellow-green color under the frizzante. The nose has lemon, lime, and stone fruit aromas. On the palate, intense carbonation and acidity put the mouth a-tingle. Flavors of apple and pear are draped in a bitter nuttiness, and the absence of sweetness is noticeable. This Furmint sparkler will pair with anything. 

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