Wine of the Week: GOLD Chardonnay 2005 (Aus/CA) $20

GOLD Chardonnay, a sparkly, festive white wine just in time for the oncoming Christmas season! This is a Chardonnay that captures your senses from beginning to end. First, the bottle is custom made in France of clear glass that has been fired with a vivid 24K gold label. Offering a gripping description and personal philosophy of the wine within. Next, you'll notice flecks of pure 24K gold in the Chardonnay itself- twinkling and sparkling like a snowglobe gone wild! If it wasn't for my innate curiosity, I would have been tempted to keep the bottle intact and display as part of the ongoing Christmas decor, shaking the bottle upside down and watching the gold flecks flitter to the bottom again and again! However, upon opening the bottle and pouring the GOLD you will smell the inviting aromas of pineapple and pear. Finally, the taste and mouthfeel are pure luxury - there is a hint of minerality surrounded by pure citrus fruit, unmasked and uncomplicated by oak. In fact neither oak nor malolactic fermentation were used in creating GOLD, resulting in a refreshing vibrancy and uncommon flashes of pure fruit flavors. GOLD would be a perfect complement to a cream-based pasta sauce, or a spinach artichoke dip for holiday get togethers.

Photo Courtesy of: © Vintage Point