3 reasons to give chardonnay another taste

It’s fashionable to bash chardonnay --

It’s fashionable to bash chardonnay — you’ve probably heard of the ABC (anything but chardonnay) crowd. But chardonnay still is by far the top-selling varietal in the country. One of the beauties of chardonnay is that it can be made in a wide range of styles, so there’s a version to appeal to nearly everyone. The following chardonnays from local wineries exhibit some of those differences, but they’re all well-balanced and delicious to drink.

Wild Horse Winery 2006 Chardonnay, $17

Wild Horse gathers grapes from a variety of vineyards on the Central Coast to create a wine that’s bright and fresh, with crisp flavors of apple and pear and a subtle touch of oak. Dashes of vermentino and roussanne round out the blend.

Baileyana Winery 2006 Grand Firepeak Cuvee Chardonnay, $30

This is a richer, creamier style of chardonnay, with flavors of citrus and pear, a hint of pineapple and some toasty oak. There’s a firm core of acidity that persists throughout the long finish. This wine represents the best lots of chardonnay from the Niven family’s Firepeak Vineyard in the Edna Valley.

Robert Hall Winery 2007 Chardonnay, $18

I don’t generally associate Paso Robles with chardonnay — the climate really is too warm. But winemaker Don Brady has done an excellent job with this wine. It’s bright and creamy, with ripe pear flavors and good length.