# Racines Wenzlau Chardonnay (2018)

- **Producer:** Racines Wine
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Chardonnay
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 12.5%
- **Average price:** €97
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 10–13 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** apple, peach, lemon, vanilla, biscuit, cloves, honey, almond

## About this wine

The Racines Wenzlau Chardonnay 2018 is a white wine from the Sta. Rita Hills appellation in California's Central Coast. It is produced by Racines Wine, a project founded by esteemed French winemakers Étienne de Montille and Rodolphe Péters, in collaboration with American winemaker Brian Sieve. The wine is sourced primarily from the Wenzlau Vineyard, situated on a dramatic hillside with ancient marine soil. This collaboration aims to craft Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that exhibit purity and transparency, leveraging the unique terroir of the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills.

## Interesting facts

- French Burgundy and Champagne royalty partnered to make this wine.
- The Wenzlau Vineyard sits on ancient marine sea beds.
- Indigenous yeasts were used for fermentation.
- It's a rare Californian wine from esteemed French vintners.

## Food pairing

The wine's balanced acidity cuts through the richness of creamy sauces and fatty proteins, while its nuanced character complements delicate seafood and poultry. Herbal notes in the wine can echo those found in accompanying dishes.

## Wine making process

The Racines Wenzlau Chardonnay 2018 is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Fermentation is carried out using indigenous yeasts in a combination of French oak barrels, including puncheons and barriques of varying sizes, with around 20% new oak. The wine undergoes aging for 12 months on its lees in these barrels, followed by a further 6 months in tank. The Wenzlau Vineyard is farmed using organic practices.