In the period of a week, the weather in Colorado has gone from freezing to overheating. For me, this means a switch from the heavier, red wines to lighter, chilled wines. This includes rosé, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. I also like to do Aperol spritzes. They are a fun and very refreshing way to drink sparkling wine. But, my first wine for the summer, is the Four Vines Naked Chardonnay.
In general, I am not the biggest fan of Chardonnay. I don’t like too much oak on my Chardonnay, nor do I like big, malolactic fermentations. However, I do enjoy Chardonnay when it is crisp, a little more fruity and has a more refreshing acid profile. This wine fits my requirements for an enjoyable glass.
First, this wine is unoaked. I think that winemakers, especially California wine makers, lean towards the heavier use of oak on Chardonnay and will also use it to cover up mistakes with the wine. When making an unoaked Chardonnay, both the grapes and the winemaking has to be good. For the price, this is a Chardonnay worth drinking. It is fruity, with more of a tropical flair. It has the flavors of guava and peach, with hints of citrus in the background. It finishes with a flourish of banana, which balances out the acidity on the palate. There is some minerality, but this wine is all about the fruit.
The Four Vines Chardonnay goes great with lighter summer dishes. Fish, pork, salmon and pastas would all pair very well with this wine. It paired very well with a dish I made, consisting of spaghetti with pesto, chicken, asparagus and grape tomatoes. The wine was refreshing and brought out the flavors of the pesto and grape tomatoes. I find that asparagus can be hard to pair but this wine went nicely with it.
Whether you’re at the pool or on the patio, the Four Vines Naked Chardonnay should be on your list of summer beverages. You won’t be disappointed.