Averaen Chardonnay

AVERAEN's Chardonnay is a Massachusetts bottling, which puts it in the cool-climate, New England style of the grape. The details supplied don't include a vintage, an ABV, or the winemaking approach, so what follows is what to expect from cool-climate Chardonnay in general. It isn't a measured profile of this bottle. Chardonnay from cooler regions usually shows orchard and citrus fruit, such as green apple, pear and lemon, rather than the tropical pineapple and mango of warmer places. Acidity tends to run bright and the body medium, with a fresh, fairly clean finish. Chardonnay is a white grape, so tannin is not a factor. Any oak influence, if present, would show up as vanilla, toast or a creamy texture. The label and the producer's notes are the place to confirm whether this bottle saw oak. Serve it lightly chilled, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Straight from a cold refrigerator it can taste muted and tight. Give it 15 to 20 minutes in the glass to open up. Decanting isn't needed for a wine in this style. A standard white wine glass with a moderate bowl works well, and a slightly wider Chardonnay glass will help if you want the aromas to open up more. A narrower glass keeps the acidity crisp and focused. At the table, this style suits roast chicken with pan juices, pan-seared scallops, cod or haddock with brown butter, and New England staples like steamed clams or a lobster roll. Cream-based dishes such as chowder, mushroom pasta, or a mild Alfredo suit the grape's texture. Soft cheeses like Brie or young Gruyère are good matches too. If the wine turns out to be brisk and unoaked, lemon, herbs and light seafood bring out its freshness. Heavily spiced or very sweet dishes will tend to overwhelm it. With no vintage or aging information supplied, the sensible approach is to drink it now rather than cellar it. Once opened, recork it and keep it in the refrigerator. It should hold its character for about three days.