Chardonnay is one of the first white wines most people encounter and the experience is almost always memorable, for various reasons. In my case, the first time I tasted Chardonnay was back in the ‘80s when it reached its peak of popularity… and at the time, winemakers were particularly enamored of oaky Chardonnays. VERY oaky Chardonnays. And a little oak goes a long, long way!

My next experience was with Noisy Water Winery’s Zia Chardonnay. To my surprise, it had no oak at all. Because the Chardonnay grape is fairly neutral by itself, this particular varietal lends itself to be molded and shaped into a unique wine according to the winemaker’s skills and whims. In this case, Zia Chardonnay was aged in stainless steel—Old World meets the New World in a marriage of a traditional grape with a contemporary aging process. As a result, it was smoother, easier to drink, a wine that would be as perfectly at home at a picnic table or the patio as it would be on the formal dinner table.

Medium bodied and semi-dry, with a slight minerality, this Chardonnay is perfect to pair with seafood and fruit. Along with crisp citrus notes with a buttery finish, there is a perfect balance of vanilla and fruit on the nose, making this a perfect wine to drink on its own on a warm sunny day. If you think all Chardonnays are the same, try Zia Chardonnay and prepare to experience Chardonnay again for the first time!

Named Zia after the symbol on the New Mexico state flag and robed in a label the color of turquoise, the state gem of New Mexico, this wine epitomizes the spirit of the state—unique, daring, and of undeniable beauty. It’s no wonder it was awarded a silver medal at the New Mexico State Fair in 2018 and it is sure to enchant dry and sweet drinkers alike.
 

“You can’t beat a nice glass of Chardonnay after a long, hard day.”
— Suzanne Shaw