TASTE BENCHMARKS | |||
Profile #1 Lean & Clean Style |
Profile #2 Fat & Generous Style |
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Appearance | Straw. | Straw gold. | |
Aroma | Fresh golden delicious apples, jasmine and pear; not citrus. Unoaked or lightly oaked. | Full ripeness produces aromas of tangerine and marigold. Buttery, oaky and sometimes nuanced with champagne-like yeastiness. | |
Flavor | The American equivalent of Macon, source for some of the best values in mid-priced Chardonnay. A rich natural sweetness which may or may not be supplemented by small amounts of residual sugar. | Rich, buttery with trace of lip-smacking sweetness. Lovers of this full-blown style are aware that such wines are usually quite expensive to produce, and can find a great friend here, as this region is capable of some very good values in the Big Fat Momma style. | |
Balance | Rich, quaffable. Good acidity balances natural sweetness. Not excessive in alcohol. | Full, fat, generous and low in acid, with ample alcohol. | |
PRODUCTION CORRELATIONS | |||
Oenological | Stainless steel fermentation. Malolactic often suppressed or kept in the background. Sparing use of barrels. | Barrel fermentation and/or ageing. Full malolactic. | |
Viticultural | Large, economical vineyards employing advanced precision viticulture capable of producing affordable, quaffable wines which are simple but delicious. | Large, economical vineyards employing advanced precision viticulture capable of producing affordable fruit full of flavor. Extended maturity to reduce acidity and add richness, transforming appley aromas to tangerine or mandarin orange. | |
Terroir | Flat, sandy desert. Natural air conditioning courtesy of daily gales from the Pacific. | Flat, sandy desert. Natural air conditioning courtesy of daily gales from the Pacific. |