Looking for a new wine this month? We just received two new whites and both deserve your attention!
As some of you may have heard, we at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits are lucky enough to not only have a solid quality connection in Lake County with Clay Shannon, but we also have the inside track to a source of Chardonnay fruit which we are happy to offer now! The vineyard produces mostly Chardonnay and some Zinfandel, and in the 2012 vintage, we took the Chardonnay in 3 different directions. Two of these three offerings are in stores now, the third coming soon. The most interesting aspect of these new wines, as a consumer, is that you could compare side by side, in three different glasses, the fruit from this vineyard made in three distinct styles!

The first, the 2012 Dalliance Unoaked Chardonnay shows off this vineyard’s pure and focused style. Clean and with a crisp edge, citrus fruits mingle with a slight tropical note of pineapple and pear. Without the influence of oak, you can taste Lake County’s style. The wine retails at $13.99 and is a fine match with fish, crustaceans and salads.

Next, you might open the 2012 ‘B’ Chardonnay, also from Lake County. This gem offers the same ripe pineapple and tropical flare, balanced by a bright citrus feel and a moderate touch of barrel. Slightly richer feel, and a bit more round and supple, the ‘B’ Chardonnay pairs well with richer seafood and roast chicken, especially chicken in cream sauces.

Coming soon, look for the 2012 Cross Springs Reserve Chardonnay, where the third parcel of this Chardonnay spent a little extra time in barrel. Toasty, with vanilla bean undertones surrounded by a ripe tropical fruit salad. This is certainly the bigger of the three, with more weight and power, and thus deserves the richest dishes. I think grilled scallops, a drop of EVOO and a dash of coarse sea salt!

Wouldn’t it be fun to have all three side by side? Basically the same wine early in its evolution, sent off in three different projects, only to be reunited at your table!

Shayne Hebert, Central Florida Wine Supervisor. Follow Shayne on Twitter: @ABCwineshayne