Terra Sávia Chardonnay is Wine of the Week

Hopland Wineries

We are still backlogged with Santa Barbara wines from our weeklong adventure in Los Olivos. We did however manage to sample some wines from our local wine shops last week. I reviewed the Tribunal Red Wine 2011 currently in the Trader Joe’s stores, and I think it’s worthy of a purchase at $9.99. I also found a Chardonnay from the Hopland area that I like very much.

Have you been to the Hopland wine area of Mendocino County? It’s about another 30 miles north of Healdsburg. In Hopland there are 16 wineries making wine from vineyards located in the Sanel Valley, Redwood Valley and the Potter Valley. We have visited all the wineries in this region and three that we like very much are Saracina, McFadden, and Terra Sávia. All are into organic and sustainable farming practices and their wines are excellent values. The problem is that not many of their wines make their way to the wine shops of the San Francisco Bay Area. I was surprised and delighted to find the Terra Sávia Chardonnay this past week at Whole Foods Market.

Terra Sávia Chardonnay 2010 unoaked – $12.99 Whole Foods

There is a movement at Whole Foods Stores to feature small local wineries. At my San Mateo Whole Foods there is a big stacked display of the Terra Sávia Chardonnay. I am assuming that other Whole Food Stores in Northern California are also featuring this same wine. This Chardonnay is clean, crisp, and refreshing. There is no oak, no butter, or creamy mouth feel, just pure unadulterated enjoyment. The wine is made from 100% organically-farmed grapes grown in the beautiful Sanel Valley. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks for about a year before being bottled. You can drink this wine as an aperitif or enjoy the wine with seafood, salads and cheese. It’s a wonderful outdoor wine because of its tropical flavors and refreshing taste. The wine received a Silver medal at the 2012 Chronicle Wine Competition. I think the judges must have been looking for something else; this wine is a clear winner and deserves a Gold in my book. I like this unoaked Chardonnay better than any one I have tried in recent months. If you shop at Whole Foods, look for this wine and give it a try. Even if you are a diehard oaky Chardonnay fan, give it a go, because you will discover the real taste and fruitiness of the Chardonnay Grape. 89 Points

Terra Sávia Chardonnay 2010

Survey Results

For the April Wine Poll on GoodCheapVino we asked what country offers the best wine values and bargains.

Top Three Countries with percentage of votes:

Spain 35%
Chile 22%
Argentina – 11%