LCBO Sale Wine of the Week: September 29

STERLING 2014 VITNER'S CHARDONNAY (Central Coast, California)

Sale $14.00, Regular $16.00
Discount (until Oct. 9): $2.00
LCBO #669242 | 750 mL bottle

Tastes like: Pure and creamy fresh apple, citrus, stone fruit and vanilla.
Pairs with: Light Cali cuisine, white pizzas, pasta in cream sauce, white meats, —maybe with a little mushroom influence. Bright and zesty salads.
Good for: Like they say on the website: every day! (That’s not a doctor’s order though.)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Drink: Now to 2018.

Why we're drinking this
We’re loving the direction that affordable California Chardonnays are taking these days. Gone are the over-ripe blowsy wines of the previous decade (or so) and here are the leaner, fruit-fresh examples that reign in the alcohol and emphasize freshness and purity. This entry-level — they call it “everyday” — wine from Sterling Vineyards is value-priced (even at the full $16), easy to sip, and is crisp enough to go with a wide variety of foods. It’s a nice one to have on hand for Thanksgiving. Every auntie should love it!

Tasting note
A fresh and fragrant, youthful and exuberant nose of green apple, citrus and grapefruit are joined by some tones of pineapple and mango. Those tropical fruit tones are pure Cali — you need that warmth and sunshine to reach that level. This fruitiness is tempered by nice wet stone character, delicate sweet spice and just a touch of oak. Very deftly balanced — light to medium weight, medium alcohol at 13.5%, grippy acidity — and a joy to drink.

Find it at your LCBO
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