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Wine of the Week, September 29, 2013


 CREME DE LYS CHARDONNAY 2011 CALIFORNIA $10.99

A word first about the meaning and importance of the wine term: vintage, the year in which a wine was produced. A particular wine can vary greatly from year to year, depending on the weather, the amount of rainfall, at what time of the growing season the grapes were picked (too early would mean increased acidity as opposed to late-harvest: a much sweeter grape), and many other factors. I'm thinking about a vineyard that was purposely flooded a week before harvesting in order to plump up the grapes. It increased the amount of  wine, but, of course, the flavor of the wine was diluted. So, the vintage is very important. Most wines are consistently good vintage after vintage, owing to the skill of the vintner. Creme De Lys Chardonnay exhibits lush flavors of tropical fruit, apple, vanilla, and a hint of butterscotch. Because of sur lie aging (cf Wine of the Week 9/8) in wooden casks, it has a creamy and buttery style. It is a mouthful. I would pair it with cream sauce recipes such as lobster thermidor and the many Alfredo sauce recipes. Other comparable wines here at Harney's are Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay and Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay.