It was back in June when I
reviewed the 2012 Yalumba “Y Series” Shiraz and vowed that I'd try their Viognier. Well, I haven’t gotten to that yet, but I will. Yalumba is Australia’s oldest
winery and because I so enjoyed the Shiraz it prompted me to pick up a bottle
of today’s Wine Wednesday feature, the 2013 Yalumba “Y Series” Unwooded
Chardonnay. Yes, Unwooded, another term
for unoaked or to say that the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks rather
than oak barrels.
For many years I was sort
of an “anything but Chardonnay” white wine drinker mostly because many
Chardonnay’s were too toasty or over oaked for my taste. The finish always
made me feel as though I’d licked the barrel sans the splinters. Discovering an unoaked Chardonnay was a big
deal for me. I felt I could finely taste
the true expression of the fruit itself. Over time I’ve expanded my taste for
Chardonnay and can now appreciate that the type of oak used and the amount of
time aged in oak (sometimes both oak and stainless) can make for some very
delicious and intriguing wines. However, I still prefer a bit of restraint when it
comes to oak and Chardonnay.
About the label, the bird
is a Cape Barren Goose - an endangered species. Over the years, many birds and
animals have sought refuge in Yalumba’s sanctuary – land dedicated to native
wildlife rehabilitation. Yalumba’s focus
on sustainability is something I respect. Yalubma is the first wine company in the world to recieve the Climate Protection Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency (2007). All Yalumba wines are vegetarian and vegan friendly.
Now, the wine. On the nose, herbal and tropical fruit notes as well as pear. In many ways, this doesn't "drink like a Chardonnay" even an unwooded one. Its bright acidity and assertive citrus notes on the palate are refreshing and enjoyable, but the wine is a bit lighter bodied and more "one note" than what I'm looking for in my Chardonnay these days.
The price point on the wine, at about $12, makes for an enjoyable weeknight wine. So, I have no regrets. If you tend to shy away from Chardonnay because you think they are over oaked, this wine is a great place to start if you're interested in changing your view of Chardonnay.
We had this with Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps and it was perfect with the Asian flavors. Also try it with Tempura Fish Tacos. To print or save the recipe pairing suggestions, click the links below.
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