WTN: beer and Chardonnay

Over the years I've tasted many un-oaked Chardonnay that remind me of malt, which I have been told by others is somewhat of a signature of the grape under certain growing and winemaking techniques.

Yesterday, I had occasion to taste an inexpensive Washington State Chardonnay, Pine and Post, 2004. When I say inexpensive I am not kidding: $6 a bottle.

Anyway, the wine was worth the price, I suppose. No oak that I could detect, and I usually like that. As to that malty quality I often pick up, this one was on the wild side.

Had the wine a slight CO2 to it, which it did not have, I am sure I would have sworn it was a fine, clean lager. This wine tasted like beer to me. Smelled like beer too. But beer with a 13% alcohol kick!

under certain growing and winemaking techniques.

Interesting. What would those growing conditions and winemaking techniques be?

under certain growing and winemaking techniques.

Interesting. What would those growing conditions and winemaking techniques be?

Not too ripe, cool stainless fermentation and stainless storage, no oak; I think that's the scenario. Probably a certain yeast selection too.

I knew there was something I liked about wine made that way!

Cheers, Carl

Not too ripe, cool stainless fermentation and stainless storage, no oak; I think that's the scenario. Probably a certain yeast selection too.

Minimize the taste of the fruit. Makes sense. But also sounds a bit "neutral" in a way.

I assume the yeast selection would not be made with this Beer Element in mind, but rather that it becomes and unintended side-consequence.

Not too ripe, cool stainless fermentation and stainless storage, no oak; I think that's the scenario. Probably a certain yeast selection too.

Minimize the taste of the fruit. Makes sense. But also sounds a bit "neutral" in a way.

I assume the yeast selection would not be made with this Beer Element in mind, but rather that it becomes and unintended side-consequence.

I don't know if it's minimizing the taste of fruit rather than offering different fruit sensations, i.e., tart apple as opposed to sweet melon, etc.