Jjv Famille Bourgogne

Jjv Famille Bourgogne is a Chardonnay from Massachusetts, bottled under the Esplanda label. The name borrows from Burgundy, the classic home of Chardonnay, but this bottle is a New England wine from a cool-climate state. The details supplied don't list vintage, ABV, oak regime or tasting notes, so the profile below describes what Chardonnay from a cooler Northeast region usually offers. It is not a measured analysis of this bottle. Expect a medium-bodied white with orchard-fruit character: green apple, pear and perhaps a little citrus or stone fruit. Cool growing seasons tend to preserve acidity, so the wine should taste fresh and lively, not broad or heavy. If it saw oak, you might find vanilla, toast or a soft buttery note. If it was made in stainless steel, the fruit and mineral edge will be clearer. Chardonnay has no real tannin, so the structure comes from acidity and texture. The finish in this style is usually clean and moderately long. Serve it lightly chilled, around 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Pull it from the fridge 10 to 15 minutes before pouring, because straight-from-the-fridge cold flattens the aroma. It doesn't need decanting. If it tastes tight at first, a few minutes in the glass will help. A white wine glass with a moderately wide bowl lets the fruit open up and tapers enough to hold the aromas. Most Chardonnays suit that shape. At the table, the acidity makes it a good match for roast chicken, pan-seared scallops, lobster or crab with drawn butter, and New England staples like baked haddock or clam chowder. It also works with creamy pasta, mild soft cheeses such as Brie, and roasted squash or corn dishes. Wines like this are generally made to be drunk young and fresh, so plan to open it within a couple of years of purchase. Don't expect it to gain from long cellaring.