Hess Select Chardonnay Monterey 2008

Served With: Fava Bean Fettuccine

Five Things: pale gold, grapefruit, granny smith apple, low acidity, rounded

COO: Monterey, California

Notes: This started with a classic chard nose, moved onto a nice rounded mouthfeel, but the low acidity left the fruit a little short on the landing. Paired well with the fava beans and pasta however, so it wasn't a total loss.

Website: Hess Collection

Rating: Good

Tags: Hess, Chardonnay, Monterey, California, 2008

Coturri Chardonnay 2007

Served With: Picatta

Five Things: deep golden color, meyer lemon, balanced acidity, sandalwood incense, unfiltered

COO: Sonoma Mountain, California

Notes: This unfiltered wine is not your typical California Chard, and I mean that in the best possible way. So pairing it with a dish full of lemons and capers -- which can be treacherous to lesser wines -- could have been a problem. But, it was one of the most synergistic pairings I've ever had, each bite and sip in harmony. That doesn't happen very often...

Website: Coturri Winery

Rating: Delicious

Tags: coturri, chardonnay, 2007, california, sonoma

Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2006

Served With: Manhattan Chowder

Five Things: straw, summer, lemon verbena, thyme, honey

COO: Napa Valley, California

Notes: There are few wines that really "transport" me to a place, but the Grgich Hills always manages to make me feel like it's summer again (despite the mountain of snow outside the window to the contrary). This elegant chardonnay paired quite well with the tomato based chowder, playing up to the wines notes of herbs and citrus.

Website: Grgich Hills

Rating: Delicious

Tags: grgich hills, napa valley, chardonnay