# Buttery Barrel Chardonnay (2023)

- **Producer:** Scheid Family Wines
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–12 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, pear, citrus, pineapple, butter, vanilla, toasted nuts, butterscotch, caramel

## About this wine

Buttery Barrel Chardonnay is a white wine produced by Scheid Family Wines in California, with grapes often originating from Monterey County. This family-owned winery, established in 1972, cultivates over 4,000 acres across the Salinas Valley, emphasizing sustainable viticulture. The wine's name reflects its characteristic rich and buttery profile, achieved through a combination of winemaking techniques. Scheid Family Wines is recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship, with vineyards certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and a winery designed with sustainability at its core.

## Interesting facts

- Scheid Family Wines' vineyards are certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
- The winery recycles all its wastewater.
- Grapes are sourced from estate vineyards stretching across a 70-mile stretch of the Salinas Valley.
- The 'Buttery Barrel' name hints at the wine's rich, oak-influenced style.

## Food pairing

The wine's rich, buttery texture and balanced acidity make it a versatile partner for a range of dishes. Its body complements richer proteins and creamy sauces, while its subtle fruit notes can cut through richness or echo flavors in the food. Oak influences can harmonize with roasted or grilled elements.

## Wine making process

The Buttery Barrel Chardonnay is crafted using a blend of fermentation vessels to achieve its distinctive profile. A portion of the 100% Chardonnay grapes undergoes fermentation in French oak barrels, while the remainder is fermented in stainless steel. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for about eight months, with a significant portion maturing in oak. A key technique involves aging the barrel-fermented portion *sur lie* (on its yeast sediment), with regular stirring (*bâtonnage*) to enhance texture and integrate oak-derived flavors like butter and caramel. This method results in a full-bodied white wine with a rich, creamy character balanced by fresh fruit notes.