In Vino Veritas: National White Wine Day
August 4, 2022
In our humble opinion, the only cure to the summer heat is a cold glass of white wine. At Union Kitchen, we offer 7 whites by the glass and over 50 by the bottle. While our list includes adventurous varietals like Hondarrabi Zuri and legendary winemaker Alain Graillot’s Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, I’d like to focus on a wine that most of us have a strong opinion on: California Chardonnay.
Matthiasson 2020 Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay from West Oak Knoll in Napa Valley
STUMPING OUR GUESTS WITH CALIFORNIA CHARDONNAY
California Chardonnay is often associated with over-the-top buttery flavors and oaky aromas. What if I told you that we carry those wines but also progressive American producers who are making wines of finesse that represent the terroir and spirit of California?
I have been pouring a Chardonnay as our mystery wine for the last few days. We have gone through 34 attempts, and no one can fathom that a wine of such restraint, freshness and delicate fruit character could be from California.
The wine was revealed to be the Matthiasson 2020 Linda Vista Vineyard Chardonnay from West Oak Knoll in Napa Valley! The owners Steve and Jill Matthiasson are serious farmers passionate about organic farming. While they consult for some of the biggest winemakers like Spottswoode and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, this Chardonnay is from their small home vineyard. I hope this little exercise encourages our guests to give California wines more credit!
AVAILABLE BY THE GLASS
Calera, Chardonnay, Central Coast, California 2018 (organic)
Winemaker Josh Jensen had a sole mission when he came home from his time in Burgundy: to find a California site that could produce Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs to rival those he left behind in France. After spending two years with a monkish devotion (which included poring over geology charts and mining surveys), he found his site in Central California. He has been making wines there since 1974. Josh could not convince his kids to take over his legendary Calera winery, so he sold his life’s work to Duckhorn. Josh died earlier this year, but his legacy will live on through the wine sites he founded in Mount Harlan and the Central Coast.
The near perfect 2018 vintage was one of the last years that Josh was personally involved in. The warm spring and moderate summer provided some of the longest hangtimes resulting in beautifully ripe flavors. Aged in 100% French oak, the wine has finesse without being over the top. Even for this oaky Chardonnay skeptic, I would have a glass with our almond crusted halibut. The state of Connecticut had 7 cases and 7 bottles left of this vintage. Every single one of those bottles now live in our wine cellar. Come in and try a glass.
Cheers,
Vish Badami
General Manager/Sommelier, Union Kitchen