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SKU 1013600
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Riesling will always be the heart of Forge, but with the freedom to work as we please, introducing another noble white variety to our repertoire has been exciting. The opportunity to work with some of Charles Fournier’s original Chardonnay plantings was certainly fortuitous. Since the early days, we’ve maintained an openness to the possibility of producing a Chardonnay with the stipulation that all conditions must be perfect: site, clones, age of vines, etc. In our eleventh vintage, the stars aligned.
There is no question that our Caywood Vineyard has a sparkle to it, a standout in our lineup with Grand Cru distinction. With exceptional freshness vis-à-vis herbs such as thyme, basil, wild carrot, this Chardonnay has a skilled ability to translate a sense of depth from mature vines alongside impeccable lift and vibrancy.
Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.
Country
United States
Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.
Region
New York
New York state has a wine history which stretches back to the mid-17th century, when Dutch settlers first began cultivating grape vines in the Hudson Valley. Since then, the wine industry of New York has grown from strength to strength, mixing the old with the new as wineries continue to experiment with modern techniques alongside their traditional heritage. Indeed, certain wineries in New York state hold a claim to being amongst the oldest and most well established in the New World, with at least one dating back over three hundred and fifty years. New York state is responsible for a relatively small range of grape varietals, due to its cooler, damper climate, but many varietals such as Riesling and Seyval Blanc thrive in such conditions and produce wines a of singular quality.
Appellation
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes, nestled in upstate New York, is a captivating wine appellation known for its cool climate and exquisite cool-climate wines. What makes the Finger Lakes unique is its focus on aromatic white varieties, primarily Riesling. The deep, glacially formed lakes provide natural temperature moderation, allowing grapes to ripen slowly, preserving acidity and intensifying flavors.
The region’s commitment to sustainable and organic practices adds to its distinctiveness, emphasizing the connection between vineyards and the pristine surroundings. Beyond Riesling, winemakers experiment with cool-climate reds like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, showcasing the Finger Lakes' versatility. The welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere of the wineries, set against the backdrop of stunning lakes and rolling hills, completes the Finger Lakes experience. Exploring this American appellation offers wine enthusiasts a delightful journey into the intricacies of cool-climate winemaking and the unique charm of New York's burgeoning wine scene.
