GIFFT by Kathie Lee Gifford Chardonnay 2012
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Kathie Lee Gifford
Our 2012 vintage of Gifft Chardonnay exhibits richness, depth and complexity, balanced by a lively acidity and an essential freshness. Featuring the gorgeous tropical fruit flavors that are the hallmark of Monterey Chardonnays, Gifft Chardonnay strikes the ideal balance between rich and refreshing.
Our 2012 Chardonnay is 100% estate grown and hails from the Scheid family's vineyards in Monterey County. The Monterey growing region is a slice of Chardonnay heaven, with evening coastal fogs that often linger until mid-morning the following day. This natural cooling effect causes a unique lengthening of the growing season, something that winemakers call "hang time". Increased hang time leads to more intense flavor development and an enhanced richness of the fruit.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.