EP 337 California Chardonnay on Display

Gary Vaynerchuk tastes three Chardonnays that he’s excited to try.

Wines tasted in this episode:

2005 Acacia Carneros ChardonnayNapa Chardonnay
2005 Sonoma Cutrer Sonoma Coast ChardonnaySonoma Chardonnay
2004 Petaluma Chardonnay PiccadillyAustralian Chardonnay

Latest Comment:

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corkscrew

Have tried the Acacia and Cutrer. I love Chards, but mix in Viognier and some blended whites when I am in the mood for a white wine. http://www.winelx.com

Tags: Australian, chardonnay, review, Video, white, wine, wines

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  • Derek

    We miss the couch and the cheese Gary!!

    QOTD: I like Chardonnay because I like oak and butter..the funny thing is I just cant drink it all night, it gets “cloying”.

  • CrowdedBrain

    I like “Butter Buddy”

    Picture a pat of butter with arms and legs, smiley face, giving a big thumbs up. Or with the bandit theme, a bandanna up around his face, cowboy hat, boots and a gun, maybe even a Lone Ranger mask. Tight.

    Good show.

  • Derek

    We miss the couch and the cheese Gary!!

    QOTD: I like Chardonnay because I like oak and butter..the funny thing is I just cant drink it all night, it gets “cloying”.

  • CrowdedBrain

    I like “Butter Buddy”

    Picture a pat of butter with arms and legs, smiley face, giving a big thumbs up. Or with the bandit theme, a bandanna up around his face, cowboy hat, boots and a gun, maybe even a Lone Ranger mask. Tight.

    Good show.

  • CaseTheLurker

    I agree with TommyBoBo… I mean think about it this way, some people like wine that tastes like smelly socks or crap, thats real wine? i think its totally subjective so… whats wrong with a little butter?

  • CaseTheLurker

    I agree with TommyBoBo… I mean think about it this way, some people like wine that tastes like smelly socks or crap, thats real wine? i think its totally subjective so… whats wrong with a little butter?

  • Martin

    Yes, I am what you described, for shame. Cute haircut.

  • Martin

    Yes, I am what you described, for shame. Cute haircut.

  • Dr T from N. Carolina

    QOTD — I really prefer unoaked whites,so if I’m drinking Chardonnay, someone else paid for it. I therefore tend to keep my opinions to my self unless asked.

    “T”

  • Dr T from N. Carolina

    QOTD — I really prefer unoaked whites,so if I’m drinking Chardonnay, someone else paid for it. I therefore tend to keep my opinions to my self unless asked.

    “T”

  • Joe S

    Good Episode I am not a Chardonnay fan because of the over oaked trend that has developed. I don’t think that they go well with food and there are many other white wines out there that I enjoy much more. I have recently been interested in the unoaked Chardonnays that have been popping up, so I think its time to look into them. I did find your comments helpful and thank you.

  • Joe S

    Good Episode I am not a Chardonnay fan because of the over oaked trend that has developed. I don’t think that they go well with food and there are many other white wines out there that I enjoy much more. I have recently been interested in the unoaked Chardonnays that have been popping up, so I think its time to look into them. I did find your comments helpful and thank you.

  • Jon

    QTOD : I’m down on Chardonnay. Partly because I think I should just be, but partly because I’m not liking the strong oak flavors

  • Jon

    QTOD : I’m down on Chardonnay. Partly because I think I should just be, but partly because I’m not liking the strong oak flavors

  • Kev and Ams

    I vote for the Butter Baron!

  • Kev and Ams

    I vote for the Butter Baron!

  • RRich

    Torre overrated??!? Could the same be said of a certain internet wine guy??? Just kidding, but you are coming off sounding like a Mets fan.

  • RRich

    Torre overrated??!? Could the same be said of a certain internet wine guy??? Just kidding, but you are coming off sounding like a Mets fan.

  • Nathan L

    QOTD: Chard is the varietal that challenges my usual tastes. I am ussually a big old world fan, meaning my cellar is 80% France, Italy, and Spain (where I do like the personality of the New World bombs). I only like a few American reds and only enjoy the Aussies at certain times. Oddly I LOVE oaky new world chards (especially Ramey and Aubert), as well as the classic Burgundian versions, and the unoaked American and Aussie versions. I don’t know why but chardonnay, in all forms, hits the right spot on my palate. I’ve never been down on them and think that people who believe that all chards taste the same have never explored all of the different expressions the variety can create. I would actually venture to say that chardonnay is the most versatile dry white varietal out there

  • Nathan L

    QOTD: Chard is the varietal that challenges my usual tastes. I am ussually a big old world fan, meaning my cellar is 80% France, Italy, and Spain (where I do like the personality of the New World bombs). I only like a few American reds and only enjoy the Aussies at certain times. Oddly I LOVE oaky new world chards (especially Ramey and Aubert), as well as the classic Burgundian versions, and the unoaked American and Aussie versions. I don’t know why but chardonnay, in all forms, hits the right spot on my palate. I’ve never been down on them and think that people who believe that all chards taste the same have never explored all of the different expressions the variety can create. I would actually venture to say that chardonnay is the most versatile dry white varietal out there

  • jonomck

    QOTD: I’m a little down on U.S. chard but since my trip to Burgundy last year!!! OMG!!!!!!! Bring it on!

  • jonomck

    QOTD: I’m a little down on U.S. chard but since my trip to Burgundy last year!!! OMG!!!!!!! Bring it on!

  • Neil

    Back in the 90’s I was really into Chardonnay. I was visiting a friend and his girlfreind declared, “I’m so sick of Chardonnay!” I thought she was just a wierd East Coast chick, but it turns out she was ahead of her time. I still stayed on the Carneros Bus, but began appreciating Sauvignon Blancs more. Recently I have been branching out even more: Pinot Gris, Gruner Veltliner, Gewurztraminer, Reisling (dry), and, yes, even Albarino.

    With regard to Chardonnay, I enjoy white Burgundies more. So yes, I like Chardonnay, good Chardonnay, but you would more than likely find me sipping something else. I really wish Vintners in California would use less new oak and seek a more balanced wine. One of the wine clubs that I’m in (will remain nameless)sent me a bottle of Carneros Chardonnay and a brochure with tasting notes of Apple, Kiwi, Tropical flavors, etc. I swear all I could taste was oak. It felt like someone rammed a went plank of oak in my mouth and poured the glass of overoaked wine into my mouth and then crammed in an oak-chip tea bag to boot. It was strange to have the winemaker extolling all of this bogus tasting notes when her wine was just terrible. Miles should have declared hew wasn’t going to drink over oaked chardonnay in Sideways and we would have been better off!

  • Neil

    Back in the 90’s I was really into Chardonnay. I was visiting a friend and his girlfreind declared, “I’m so sick of Chardonnay!” I thought she was just a wierd East Coast chick, but it turns out she was ahead of her time. I still stayed on the Carneros Bus, but began appreciating Sauvignon Blancs more. Recently I have been branching out even more: Pinot Gris, Gruner Veltliner, Gewurztraminer, Reisling (dry), and, yes, even Albarino.

    With regard to Chardonnay, I enjoy white Burgundies more. So yes, I like Chardonnay, good Chardonnay, but you would more than likely find me sipping something else. I really wish Vintners in California would use less new oak and seek a more balanced wine. One of the wine clubs that I’m in (will remain nameless)sent me a bottle of Carneros Chardonnay and a brochure with tasting notes of Apple, Kiwi, Tropical flavors, etc. I swear all I could taste was oak. It felt like someone rammed a went plank of oak in my mouth and poured the glass of overoaked wine into my mouth and then crammed in an oak-chip tea bag to boot. It was strange to have the winemaker extolling all of this bogus tasting notes when her wine was just terrible. Miles should have declared hew wasn’t going to drink over oaked chardonnay in Sideways and we would have been better off!

  • Dominus

    Before I watch this episode, I say #2 Cutrer is really, really good. At least to me it was good stuff.

    Now to see what the G-Man thinks.

  • Dominus

    Before I watch this episode, I say #2 Cutrer is really, really good. At least to me it was good stuff.

    Now to see what the G-Man thinks.

  • Kev and Ams

    QOTD: I’m only down on Chard when it sucks. I’ve had some great un-oaked Chard recently.

  • Kev and Ams

    QOTD: I’m only down on Chard when it sucks. I’ve had some great un-oaked Chard recently.

  • crank

    QOTD: I like chard…when it is good.

    By the way, “let me sum up the AFC East for you. When the Patriots wanted to trade a draft pick for a WR, they gave a fourth-rounder for Randy Moss. When the Jets wanted to trade a draft pick for a WR, they gave a second-rounder for Justin McCareins.”

  • crank

    QOTD: I like chard…when it is good.

    By the way, “let me sum up the AFC East for you. When the Patriots wanted to trade a draft pick for a WR, they gave a fourth-rounder for Randy Moss. When the Jets wanted to trade a draft pick for a WR, they gave a second-rounder for Justin McCareins.”

  • I prefer other whites such as Sauv Blanc to Chard, but I am really looking forward to trying unoaked Chards. The unoaked Chard from Four Vines has received some very high and positive reviews. Not a big fan of all that oak!

  • I prefer other whites such as Sauv Blanc to Chard, but I am really looking forward to trying unoaked Chards. The unoaked Chard from Four Vines has received some very high and positive reviews. Not a big fan of all that oak!

  • JSC1

    QOTD- not crazy about chards for the most part, don’t think most of it pairs great with food. I am very pro chard from chablis. there are certainly some absurdly good bottles from burgundy but usually with equally absurd prices.

  • JSC1

    QOTD- not crazy about chards for the most part, don’t think most of it pairs great with food. I am very pro chard from chablis. there are certainly some absurdly good bottles from burgundy but usually with equally absurd prices.

  • keelegl

    QOTD: My Chard habits havenâ??t changed over the years. I like a balance, so I donâ??t like it to be over oaked, but I donâ??t want to much aluminum baseball bat either.

  • keelegl

    QOTD: My Chard habits havenâ??t changed over the years. I like a balance, so I donâ??t like it to be over oaked, but I donâ??t want to much aluminum baseball bat either.

  • Dave Canada

    Nice show Gary…
    QOTD – guilty as charged….don’t drink much chardonnay…partly because it is socially cool to put a hate on it but also because I have yet to have one (I have had many…) that has made me pause…know what I mean?

  • Dave Canada

    Nice show Gary…
    QOTD – guilty as charged….don’t drink much chardonnay…partly because it is socially cool to put a hate on it but also because I have yet to have one (I have had many…) that has made me pause…know what I mean?

  • Withnail

    QOTD: I love Chardonnay, esp. California & Burgundy.

    I vote for Butter Pirate.

  • JimKay

    Good show – nice to bring out the value wines. I see plenty of offers for $20 Napa Cabs from 2005 – how about a taste off?

  • Withnail

    QOTD: I love Chardonnay, esp. California & Burgundy.

    I vote for Butter Pirate.

  • JimKay

    Good show – nice to bring out the value wines. I see plenty of offers for $20 Napa Cabs from 2005 – how about a taste off?

  • Kelly

    I’m not even going to watch this effing show after you’re rude comment about Torre. You’ve gotta be kidding me. You’re a wine salesmen who cleverly gets wine out to people through his blog with the knowledge he has.

    STICK TO THE FREAKING WINE, DON’T PANDER YOUR IDEAS ABOUT BASEBALL TO US

  • Kelly

    I’m not even going to watch this effing show after you’re rude comment about Torre. You’ve gotta be kidding me. You’re a wine salesmen who cleverly gets wine out to people through his blog with the knowledge he has.

    STICK TO THE FREAKING WINE, DON’T PANDER YOUR IDEAS ABOUT BASEBALL TO US

  • JimKay

    Oh yeah, QOTD – I’m okay with Chardonnay, but prefer the unoaked stuff that’s becoming more avialable.

  • JimKay

    Oh yeah, QOTD – I’m okay with Chardonnay, but prefer the unoaked stuff that’s becoming more avialable.

  • Elliot

    I want a Butter Bandit shirt!

    – Elliot *The Original CKC Representative (Episode 225)

  • Elliot

    I want a Butter Bandit shirt!

    – Elliot *The Original CKC Representative (Episode 225)

  • Mike S.

    I’m down on chardonney. Even in the summer. I’m just attracted to the dark. Maybe thats why I never married a blonde. I’m sure one day I will be enlightened. . . . . . . . . .

    Mike

  • Mike S.

    I’m down on chardonney. Even in the summer. I’m just attracted to the dark. Maybe thats why I never married a blonde. I’m sure one day I will be enlightened. . . . . . . . . .

    Mike

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