I need to buy our kids a bottle of wine as a house warming gift. I know NOTHING about wines, period. I know they like Chardonnay - can someone recommend a good California or NY brand that doesn't cost zillions of dollars?
I would say just look for something in the $20-30 range....for a Chardonnay a good one should not cost more than that.
Personally I'm not a big Chardonnay fan (at least not US-based) because I don't like the over-oaky tendencies these days (and I'm more a red wine drinker), but I have really enjoyed the Conundrum White blends from California for something that's a bit Chardonnay+. I'd also say of the California whites you could easily go with a Byron or Sterling Reserve and likely get a very nice wine; for me I'd go Italian with a Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
This is incredibly helpful. I was going to go into the state store and flounder around because once you get me away from the Cold Duck for $6.99 I have no clue :). Thank you so much!
State stores in PA (at least better ones) should definitely carry Conundrum ... last time I bought it, it was maybe about $25 and I even brought it to a pretty snobby wine dinner and it went over well. In fact it was at a wine dinner in PA with a state store rep that I first tried it ;)
Beyond that I would say most (better) PA state stores, in my experience, usually have someone on staff who can give good recs based on your price range, taste, and regional preference.
The one near us seems pretty well stocked, so I'm going in this afternoon and see what they have. I didn't even realize that the PLCB has a web site until I was looking online this morning.
If you have a BevMo around (or want to order online), I'd suggest Chateau Montelena Chard. Fantastic Napa vinyard. My boyfriend's dad is a wine club member, and this is the only Chard their red-swilling family drinks. It's $50, and quite tasty. If that's out of your price range, my second suggestion would be Carneros Creek Reserve Chard, it's $30, and conveniently is a buy one get one for .05 at BevMo right now!
Thank you, our kids are the wine drinkers and knowledgeable, but I thought if I come up with something nice, they'll be shocked because they know us and - I have only ever had Chardonnay a few times in my life, and that was years ago and out of a box. Needless to say, I wasn't a fan, but then you get me away from Cold Duck by Andre at $6.99/bottle and I'm thinking "Bring me diet Cola!"
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Personally I'm not a big Chardonnay fan (at least not US-based) because I don't like the over-oaky tendencies these days (and I'm more a red wine drinker), but I have really enjoyed the Conundrum White blends from California for something that's a bit Chardonnay+. I'd also say of the California whites you could easily go with a Byron or Sterling Reserve and likely get a very nice wine; for me I'd go Italian with a Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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State stores in PA (at least better ones) should definitely carry Conundrum ... last time I bought it, it was maybe about $25 and I even brought it to a pretty snobby wine dinner and it went over well. In fact it was at a wine dinner in PA with a state store rep that I first tried it ;)
Beyond that I would say most (better) PA state stores, in my experience, usually have someone on staff who can give good recs based on your price range, taste, and regional preference.
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