In California, chardonnay vines tell a story

Every country that produces wine grows chardonnay — no other white wine grape can match its international popularity. It has been the green grape vine of choice for winemakers around the world for centuries thanks to its quality potential and ability to adapt to a wide range of vineyard soils and climates.

In California, four out every five chardonnay vines are what are known as “Wente clones,” whose forebearers were imported from France in 1912 by Ernest Wente. Grapes grown from seed are too unpredictable to use for viticulture. Instead, vintners “clone” existing vines as a means to get the exact grape variety and characteristics they need. A cutting is taken from a mature plant and grafted onto rootstock, which grows into a new, genetically identical vine.

When Wente ordered cuttings from France’s leading viticultural university, he received a number of different “clones” from chardonnay’s native Burgundy region. Not all adapted well to the California climate so Wente selected the best of the best vines to propagate on his vineyard in what is now the East Bay area near Oakland. Those vines have proven so successful that over 75% of California chardonnay vines are their direct descendants.

As a result, Wente Vineyards remain chardonnay specialists, producing exceptional wines from a number of subregions in California’s Central Coast. This cuvée from Monterey overdelivers for its price point, with succulent flavors of nectarines and apple cake, accented with toasty oak aromas reminiscent of amaretto liqueur.

$15.99, 13.5% alcohol

PLCB Item #9537

Sale price through Jan 2 (regularly $19.99).

Also available at:

Gloucester City Bottlestop in Gloucester City; $16.96, bottlestopnj.com

Canal’s Bottlestop in Marlton; $17.96, canalswine.com

Kreston Wine & Spirits in Wilmington; $17.99, krestonwines.com