August 2006
Best Chardonnays, for $20 or less
How much do you have to pay for an excellent chardonnay? Our expert wine tasters found three for $20 or less, from California
winemakers Edna Valley, Kendall-Jackson, and Beringer. All stood out for their complexity and balance, making them fabulous
companions for summer fare ranging from light seafood dishes to rich cream sauces and even veal.
We also found three CR Best Buys, ranging in price from $8 to $11, from the Beringer family of wines from California; Columbia Crest of Washington State; and Alamos, an Argentinian label. While less complex than the three excellent wines, this grouping would make very good choices for a wide range of dishes from Asian cuisine, grilled seafood, and even Texas barbecue. All three were among the least expensive of the 22 wines we tasted.
Choose your chardonnay style based on the food you'll be eating. Fruity-style (apple, pear, citrus, and tropical fruits) chards work with lighter fare and make good aperitifs. Those with buttery or woody notes tend to call for richer dishes. Chardonnay should be served cool but not chilled. So if you've been chilling yours before dinner, let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Subscribers can read our full Ratings of 22 chardonnays, from Argentina, Australia, California, Oregon, and Washington, including details of the specific bottles that earned our CR Best Buy and Quick Pick designations.
We also found three CR Best Buys, ranging in price from $8 to $11, from the Beringer family of wines from California; Columbia Crest of Washington State; and Alamos, an Argentinian label. While less complex than the three excellent wines, this grouping would make very good choices for a wide range of dishes from Asian cuisine, grilled seafood, and even Texas barbecue. All three were among the least expensive of the 22 wines we tasted.
Choose your chardonnay style based on the food you'll be eating. Fruity-style (apple, pear, citrus, and tropical fruits) chards work with lighter fare and make good aperitifs. Those with buttery or woody notes tend to call for richer dishes. Chardonnay should be served cool but not chilled. So if you've been chilling yours before dinner, let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Subscribers can read our full Ratings of 22 chardonnays, from Argentina, Australia, California, Oregon, and Washington, including details of the specific bottles that earned our CR Best Buy and Quick Pick designations.
