Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier 2009, Oakville, CA

So I know I promised this review via my facebook at 8pm yesterday, but that obviously didn't occur... I got a bit tipsy on wine I was trying to review.  And that was that. But I do have a treat for you today!  This wine is a stunner.

So my lovely Grammy knows how much I love wine, and she likes to encourage cultured practices and interests, so she has encouraged me to delve into my interest.  And by encourage, I mean she makes sure there is wine and wine baubles at her house every time I go over to visit.  Much appreciated, Grammy :)  The entire clan got together recently to celebrate (early) my birthday.  There were jokes about getting a bottle of Cakebread Chardonnay instead of getting me a cake, and I did actually get a Cupcake wine.  Haha guys.  

But Grammy just made sure she had a few good bottles on hand, one for before dinner and one for during.  This Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier was the before dinner bottle.  Let me tell you, Grammy makes some mean appetizer trays, but most of us didn't even bother eating any, this wine was that enchanting.  The nose on it is otherworldly- it's a cool breath of flowers and fruit that just subtly enchants you.  Gorgeous light peach and apple aromas sort of made me want to make this my new perfume, I'm not going to lie.  The mouth is a little less juicy than I initially expected, but in the best way.  It's a light bodied beauty with a well-balanced acidity that reminds me of a really mellowed out Sauvignon Blanc.  Pine Ridge has struck this perfect, airy balance between fruit, sweetness, and crispness.  I can't really think of enough good things to say about it.  So I'll stop here.

Varietal: 80%  Chenin Blanc, 20% Viognier

Alcohol: 11.8% 

Origin: Oakville, CA

Price: ~$9 at Central Market and other speciality grocery stores

Rachel's Grade: A  This could be the best value white I've ever come across.  For under $10 THERE IS NO BETTER WHITE WINE.  (All caps mean I'm being very serious)  You can buy Yellowtail for this price at gas stations.  This is like fifty zillion steps above Yellowtail.  This is the kind of wine that you need to literally run and get right after you finish reading this review.  Seriously, get up.  What are you still doing here?

Foxmoor Vineyards Chardonnay Chardonnay NV, Livermore, CA

Sometimes you're broke.  (Unless you're a trust fund baby, and that doesn't apply to most of us.)  When you're broke, you have to do without some things.  One of those things is expensive wine.  Notice I didn't say "good wine" right there.  Only "expensive," which is much easier to deal with.  Especially when you can nab three bottles under $10.  Nice!  (Almost as wonderful as the recent death of the world's foremost terrorist.)

So Sunflower Market is my usual go-to for 3/$10 bottles.  They buy up old inventory and sell it at a very reasonable price.  By reasonable I mean crazy cheap.  And that is what this Chard is, crazy cheap.  Forget two buck Chuck.  Charles Shaw eat your heart out.  I'd have this guy instead every day of the week, (and twice on Sundays.)  This guy has a very light, pleasant nose.  Not complex in the least, but not offensive at all- zesty and sweet.  It goes down easy with a small, nice lingering note of cream.  Again, not really memorable atttt all, but super satisfying as far as a wine-craving goes.

Varietal: 100%  Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13% 

Origin: Livermore, CA

Price: ~$3 at Sunflower Market and other grocery stores

Rachel's Grade: B  Even though it's not the greatest, it's not bad!  And it's $3.  If you're looking for a wine for a party maybe, or for an easy table wine, I'd go for this.  And it has a Fox on it, super cool.  Forget buying lottery tickets- for a couple bucks,with this guy you always win.