2010 Jordan Chardonnay

Jordan Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1976 by Tom Jordan and his wife Sally. Tom had been in the oil and gas business in Denver and the couple bought land in Alexander Valley and built a French-style chateau. The estate owns 391 acres in Alexander Valley and the Russian River Valley. The estate makes a total of about 100,000 cases annually of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that Jordan’s “Cabernets emphasize elegant, soft tannins as well as easygoing fruit.”

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.