Columbia Chardonnay 2016

For a European, it's easy to get distracted by New York and California and just forget the rest of America is there or only think of it as a bit... 'gun-toty'. In the wine trade it's almost worse, as although 49 states out of 50 make wine from grapes (Hawaii makes pineapple wine, we know that sounds like a bad joke, but it really isn't) most people can't look past the Napa Valley when it comes to US bottlings.

It's foolish because some of the finest wines in the world are being made outside California; most notably Oregon and Washington State. Columbia Chardonnay from Washington is offers bright aromas of pear, apple and hints of tropical fruits that extend to the palate. A balanced acidity and integrated sweet vanilla oak notes create an elegant Chardonnay that is distinctly Northwest. A fine wine to show you America external to California is far from just Trump land.

Columbia is Washington's original premium winery, making terroir driven Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a French style, driven by David Lake MW, who brought to life an appreciation from the 10 founders that the vines were on a similar latitude to some of Europe's finest regions. Columbia produced the first Pinot Gris, Syrah & Cab Franc wines in Washington. With 50 years of experience the winery is still making some of the best wine in Washington.

The Columbia Valley Chardonnay offers bright aromas of pear, apple and hints of tropical fruits that extend to the palate. A balanced acidity and integrated sweet vanilla oak notes create an elegant Chardonnay that is distinctly Northwest.