Wine Pick: Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2012

Move over red, white wine can be paired with autumnal comfort foods too.

This weekend fall for a rich chardonnay, like this familiar classic from beautiful Sonoma Valley.  Autumnal wines can be white too, especially when ripe fruit meets creamy oak boosting body and adding spice layers. Roast chicken, pasta with velvety cream sauce or succulent pork chops will all be in flavourful step with one of California’s most-loved chardonnays.For more than 40 years, Chateau St. Jean (say Jean as in blue jeans, not the French pronunciation) has focused on European-styled wines, and the combination of lush fruit and restraint sets this chardonnay apart.  Warm gold in the glass, aromas of baked apples, grilled lemon and buttery pastry greet the nose. Flavours of lemon curd, tropical fruit, clove spice and roasted nuts spread across a broad and supple palate.  Full bodied but with a zesty spine of refreshing acidity, this well priced chardonnay defines rich white to a T.  If the vintage has rolled over to the 2013 on your wine store shelf, it’s every bit as good. California enjoyed stellar back-to-back vintages, and quality was outstanding in both 2012 and 2013.Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2012$ 19.79USA +421644