Edna Valley 'Paragon' Chardonnay - $13.49

Wine Details

Price:	$13.49
Producer:	Edna Valley Vineyard
Region:	Edna Valley
Varietal:	Chardonnay
Container Size:	750 ML
Flavors:

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Product Description

Our 2006 Chardonnay offers smoky aromas of vanillin oak and sweet spice balanced by white peach, pineapple and citrus notes. On the palate, full, round flavors of white peach and citrus are accompanied by a subtle minerality on the long finish. Enjoy this lovely Chardonnay paired with creamy pastas, baked sea bass, seared scallops and roast chicken with lemon and herbs.
Our home vineyard – Edna Valley Vineyard – lies about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, along California’s pristine coastline. We may like to take things SLO here, but we’re serious about our wine. Amid the stunning scenery and the casual, laidback lifestyle of San Luis Obispo, a significant wine culture has quietly emerged over the past few decades. The region now home to Edna Valley Vineyard saw its first grapes planted in the days of the California missions. In the 1800s, it was believed that the grapes in this region were of the highest quality. By the 1970s, however, grape vines in the area had all but disappeared, until pioneering vineyard developer Jack Niven got word of the coveted fruit that once thrived here and began to plant his own grapes on what is now known as Edna Valley Vineyard. Today, our winemakers bring a passion for the Central Coast and the extraordinary expressions of flavor that come from this unsung region to offer balanced, elegant wines.

Expert Ratings

Vintage	Source	Flavors
2005	WineSpectator	citrus, pineapple, tangerine
2004	WineEnthusiast
2003	WineEnthusiast	oak, peach, pear, smoky
2003	WineSpectator	citrus, green apple, melon
2002	WineSpectator	spicy
2002	Tanzer	mango, pineapple
2002	WineEnthusiast	buttery, oak, smoky, vanilla
2001	WineSpectator	apricot, oak, pear, smoky
2001	WineEnthusiast	lemon, oak, spice
2000	WineSpectator	lemon, lime, nectarine, pear, tangerine

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Food Pairings

Category	Pairing
Cheese	Swiss, Brie, Gouda, Soft Pungent Cheese
Poultry & Eggs	Chicken or Turkey, Roast Turkey
Fruits & Nuts	Citrus Fruits
Vegetables	Caesar Salad
Fish or Shellfish	Garlic Shrimp, Lobster Salad, Sea Bass
Sauces	White Wine Sauce
Herbs & Spices	Anise, Fennel Seed, Tarragon, Basil, Curry, Ginger, Nutmeg, Mace, Allspice, Rosemary, Saffron, Thyme

Awards and Accolades

	Name	Vintage
	Silver - 2008 San Diego Int'l Wine Competition	2006

Wine Terms

Name	Value
Chardonnay	(shar dohn nay)—This noble grape’s reputation was established in France, particularly in the Burgundy region, and the highly prized Chardonnay wines from Chablis, Mâcon, Mersault, and Pouilly-Fuissé are imitated by winemakers around the world. Generally an oaked wine (whether from expensive oak barrels or a quick soak in oak chips), its fruity aromas and flavors range from apple in the cooler regions to tropical fruits such a pineapple in the warmer regions. It can also display subtle earthy aromas, such as mushroom or minerals. It has a medium to high acidity and is generally full-bodied. Classical Chardonnay wines are dry. Chardonnay is also an important grape in the Champagne district where it's picked before fully ripe and while it still has high acid and understated fruit flavors—the perfect combination for champagne. California has adopted this grape with a fervor and there are some 200 wineries producing Chardonnay wines in other parts of the United States. Chardonnay has also seen a tremendous planting surge in Australia, and new vineyards are being planted in Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, Spain, and South Africa.
United States	Wineries exist in all fifty states, but the most predominant (and best) wine comes from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington State, with New York gaining a foothold in the industry. American wines make up about 75% of all wine sales in the US. The appellation system uses the term AVA (American Viticultural Area) to determine where wines were produced, but grape varieties can be planted anywhere in the country. American wineries generally use varietal labeling, and government regulations require that the variety on the label must make up at least 75% of the blend (in Oregon it’s 90%). The words reserve, special selection, private reserve, classic, and so on have no legal definition in the US. Some wineries use these terms to indicate their better wines; others use the words as a marketing tool to move lower quality wines off the shelf.
California	California produces the majority of wine made in the United States. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Pinot Noir dominate the wine production in California, but many other varietials thrive in the California climate. Many fine wines are produced in California using Mediterranean grapes.
California Chardonnay	Chardonnay has emerged as the premier white wine in California. Originating from Burgundy, France, the Chardonnay grape has enabled vintners from the Golden State to produce opulent white wines with crisp, bold flavors. A well made Chardonnay can be enjoyed in a wide array of situations. California Chardonnays typically are dominated by buttery, creamy flavors.
Edna Valley	Edna Valley is directly south of the coastal town of San Louis Obispo. The region was gained recognition in the 1970's for its chardonnay. Gewürztraminer and pinot noir have been planted as well but the results have not been as rewarding as the chardonnay. Low hills on three sides give the valley an open cup shape that collects moisture laden air from the Pacific Ocean. The cool, steady temperatures and fog cover result in a very long growing season producing very unique wine.