White Wine Reviews & Tasting Notes

This medium-bodied wine is dry with a nice, crisp acidity. I thought that there was also a bit of an alcohol burn at the standard drinking temperature, so I would recommend trying it chilled a bit cooler than other Chardonnays. The finish was a bit flat, which was disappointing in an otherwise decent Chardonnay. The flavors themselves were generally fruity and citrus, though no more specifically identifiable.

The Valckenberg Ortega Trockenbeerenauslese is a heavy dessert wine so we paired it with several popular dessert choices. Unfortunately we disagreed on just how well the Valckenberg Ortega paired with several of them.

It's generally recommended to pair the Ventana Gewurztraminer with smoky foods and that turns out to be a very good idea. You should also considering pairing the Ventana Gewurztraminer with Asian cuisine and poultry like roast turkey.

The 2007 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay is clear and pale yellow in color with just a slight greenish tinge around the edges. Citrus and tropical fruits are the strongest flavors in the Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay, but there is also vanilla, spices, butter, and of course oak. Overall, the flavor intensity in this full-bodied Chardonnay is moderate and the acidity is lively.

Like the aromas, the flavors of the Ravens Wood Vintners Blend Chardonnay are primarily citrus but there is also some apple combined with spice and butter. It's dry, but the acidity is lively. The oak characteristics of this full-bodied Chardonnay are unmistakable, but not too strong so this is one Chardonnay that might appeal to both fans of oaky Chardonnays and those who would prefer something unoaked. There is a noticeable alcohol burn when the Ravens Wood Vintners Blend Chardonnay gets a bit too warm, so pay attention to the temperature when you serve and drink this white wine.