Anything but chard?

[Ali]

I'm looking to expand my horizons. Can anyone recommend a good Chardonay for someone who has sworn off the stuff in the past few years? (Sadly, because it has been a few years, I also can't really articulate what it was that turned me off chard in the first place; I do remember that I really just didn't like the overly oaky flavour that masked all that nice white delicacy.)

Unfortunately, I would also need it to be relatively easy to find since I'm based in PA and can rarely make it to NJ/NY for the sole purpose of buying wine.

Help?

[nancyhudson]

Kim Crawford unoaked Chardonnay. Easily located.

[zin1953]

Another vote for Chablis, followed by (for affordability) wines from the Maconnais.

If you look to Oz, I agree you should seek out the unoaked versions.

[howund09]

Trevor Jones "virgin" Chard. Love this stuff.

[Scottydog]

Ditto on the Trevor Jones. It can be found at most Costco locations.

[SteveTimko]

I'm a big fan of Varner chardonnay. I took part in a tasting where several experienced tasters (I don't count myself as one of them) couldn't tell Varner from two white Burgundies.

http://dat.erobertparker.com/bboard/s...

[HeelsSoxHound]

outside of chablis, which i think is the truest expression of the chard grape, there are a good number of high quality unoaked chards out there from the new world. a couple of good ones: four vines 'naked' chardonnay from northern santa barbara, kim crawford's unoaked from new zealand, and longview's 'blue cow' chard from australia. enjoy!

[beef]

Peconic Bay Steel Fermented Chardonnay from Long Island- beautiful fruit and acidity - no oak - not likely commercially avaible near you, but sold by winery on their website.

[Wineman]

I have been enjoying the Bianchi Famiglia Chardonnay 04. from Argentina. A nice balance of acid and fruit. Typical chardonnay nose. Some oak but not overly so. A long, pleasant finish. Around $10.

[nja]

I would suggest trying to find some Chablis from France, or some of the unoaked Chardonnays now coming out of New Zealand and Australia.

[Wanda Fuca]

Good idea suggesting chablis. Perfect for people who balk at that big oak flavor.

As far as chard goes:

Since I am up here in the beautiful PNW I would like to suggest you try a few bottles from my area. I would think grapes from BC and Idaho would be best since they are more fruity with less acid and they tend to be less oaky.

Some I have tried and liked are from PNW:
Domaine Combret Estate (BC)
Andrew Will 2005 Cuvée Lucia Chardonnay "Celilo Vineyard" - I think they get their grapes from around the PNW, but the winery is in WA - under 20 bucks
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars 2002 Conner-Lee Vineyard Chardonnay. I think this is under 20 bucks.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 2004 Canoe Ridge

Unaoked wine I have tried and liked:
Forgeron Chardonnay - from the Colombia Valley
Pellegrini - I think it was a 2005

Also, I think you might find a lot of Australian unoaked wines if you try a few and want to pursue that. I am not really familiar with them, but I remember reading about it. Oh... and I see the guy above me mentions it. LOL