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Ortega Chardonnay

Ortega Chardonnay Wine Details
Price: $14.90 per bottle

Description: A noble wine with complex bouquet and exceptional character developed through barrel fermentation. Hints of vanilla and spice integrated elegantly with grilled seafood or chicken.

Varietal Definition
Chardonnay:
Chardonnay is by far the most widely planted grape crop in California and dominates California’s cooler, coastal, quality wine regions. The natural varietal ‘taste and smell’ of Chardonnay is surprisingly unfamiliar to many wine drinkers, as its true character is often guised with dominating winemaking signatures. Chardonnay’s rather subdued primary fruit characteristics lean toward the crisp fruitiness of apples, pears and lemon, but the variety’s full body is capable of supporting a host of complementary characteristics, such as oak, butter and vanilla. Regardless of what is the appropriate style for Chardonnay, the varietal continues to dominate vineyard plantings in every corner of the world. Close attention to clonal selection has made this broad geographic and climactic range of Chardonnay viable in thoughtful viticultural hands.
Ortega:
Ortega’s winter-hardy character has allowed this grape to be successfully grown in British Columbia, and with limited success in Canada’s eastern province of Nova Scotia. This German cross of Muller Thurgau and Siegerrebe is primarily used to enhance Riesling in poor vintages in the Rheinhessen region of Germany. On its own, it can produce rich, flowery, peachy wines, with high natural sugar levels. However, its generally low acidity and its susceptibility to fungal diseases and coulure have limited its use.
Seyval Blanc:
A French hybrid that is often thought of as "East Coast Chardonnay," or at least an alternative to same. Produced in a crisp, dry style, this white wine is often fermented or aged in oak to enhance the rather neutral flavors of the grape itself. It lends itself to service at the dining table and is food friendly. Seyval Blanc is often used in proprietary blends; good examples can be found from Prejean, Clinton and Château Lafayette Reneau.


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