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Smith-Berry SBS American Oak Chardonel

Smith-Berry SBS American Oak Chardonel Wine Details
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Description: This Chardonel, which is a hybrid of Chardonnay and Seyval, is a deep bright yellow color. On the nose, it gives off aromas of creamy oak with citrus and honeysuckle. On the palate, a fine balance of fruit and oak is struck with creamy vanilla, citrus, apple and pear apparent. A pleasant subtle spice is noticeable on the lingering finish. Lively acidity make it an attractive food wine which would pair well with white fish, scallops or chicken with lemon and parsley.

Varietal Definition
Chardonel:
Chardonel was developed in New York State, to be a late-ripening, highly-productive, cold-climate varietal. A cross of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc, Chardonel is proving its value in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states. Given much of the same treatment as Chardonnay, it adapts well to barrel fermention, and controlled lees contact. The result is often a full-bodied dry wine, high in alcohol and acidity, with a similar, if less pronounced character than Chardonnay.
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.


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