Chardonnay was first discovered in the Burgundy region of France and derived its name from a little town in the Maconnais. It is a southern Burgundy area known for making inexpensive but high-value chardonnays.
Everyone feels comfortable with chardonnay because of its near resemblance to white wine. The Clos du Bois Chardonnay is an excellent wine option for family parties or those who want to celebrate their small wins.
In this review, we are going to look at why Clos du Bois Chardonnay is loved by not only the French but by every other person.
Let’s start!
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⇒ Fun Facts ⇐
| Name: | Clos du Bois Chardonnay |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Clos du Bois |
| Country: | California |
| Wine Style: | Crisp |
| Wine Type: | White Wine |
| ABV: | 14% |
Brand History
Located in Healdsburg in the Alexander Valley in California’s Sonoma County, Clos du Bois Winery is famous for its high-quality wines. It is owned by Frank Woods and his partner Thomas Reed, who established it in 1974. Initially, they named it ‘Woods Vineyard,’ but his French-studying children decided on ‘Clos du Bois,’ meaning Vineyard of the Woods (forest).
In 2007, Constellation Brands bought over the company after changing ownership several times. But between 2003 and 2007, winemaker Erik Olsen, who initially worked with Mondavi and Simi Winery, was in charge. The vineyard stretches over 370 hectares in the Alexander Valley. But the owners also purchase grapes from the AVA areas of Knight Valley, Russian Valley, Creek Valley, Los Carneros, and Sonoma Coast (all in Sonoma County of North Coast) and Monterey in Central Coast. The company supports these grapes growers to ensure only high-quality grapes are produced.
Again, Clos du Bois Winery has a collection of red wines and white wines, including cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, zinfandel, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, etc. They are marketed in ‘Classic,’ Appellation Reserve’ and Proprietary Series.’ The company combines French winemaking techniques with top Californian grapes to create full-bodied and approachable wines.
Clos du Bois Chardonnay Review
If you walk into any United States liquor store, you will likely run into Clos du Bois Chardonnay. It is popular, delivering top-shelf taste and excellent quality at a little cost. The flavor profile below will help you understand the product better:
Category: Chardonnay is among the most widespread grape varietals that exist. There are over 100,000 acres of production in California alone. It can be clean with a full body and high acidity, releasing tropical notes and different levels of oak. Wines made from chardonnay can exhibit diverse notes, depending on their origin, which is affected by the soil and climate. Fermenting the wine in casks adds tannin and structure with extra notes.
Color: It appears in shades of silver straw yellow color. It also has well-spaced and slowly falling legs.
Nose: Strong aromas of ripe pear, apple blossom, and sweet lemon notes appear once opened. This is accompanied by spice, cream, and toasty oaks.
Taste: On the tongue, the smoothness of the wine is superimposed by bold, succulent flavors of pear and ripe apple.
Finish: The palate carries on for a long and refreshing finish. The mouthfeel is pleasant and luxurious, too.
Alcohol content: the alcohol by volume of this drink is 13.7%, which is relatively lower than the standard wine content.
Price: It costs around $10 to keep a bottle of Clos du Bois Chardonnay in your home. It is one of the most affordable wines in the market, even though the quality remains above average. This also makes it a pick for many bars catering to many customers.
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Pros and Cons
Clos du Bois Chardonnay is a popular US wine, making it easier to market. Consider the following before purchasing it:
Pros
Price: This product is sold at a reasonable price, meaning anyone can afford it. If you are looking for an inexpensive wine with good quality for your party, you can go for it.
Tasting profile: It offers an intense aroma and flavor that satisfy even the most discerning drinker. The character is balanced with a full body complemented by toasty oak. The finishing is silkily rich.
Health benefits: Chardonnays are known for their incredible benefits to health due to their natural endowments. Its rich and buttery flavor helps to boost good cholesterol, increase blood flow, prevent blood clotting, etc. It contains enough antioxidants and helps to prevent stroke and hypertension. However, it would be best if you drink responsibly.
Cons
Quality: Its rampant and readily availability makes it difficult to trust the quality. Besides, it can never compete with top-shelf wines, no matter how we try to publicize it. It is neither top nor bottom, and this helps you to understand the quality you are buying.
Oaky taste: you may give it a second look to be sure this is not an oaky chardonnay. Although friendly and sippable, the oak may want to spoil things for those who don’t appreciate oaky flavors.
How Best is Clos Du Bois Chardonnay Served?
Everyone needs a chilled glass to unwind after a long day with friends and family. Chardonnays should be served chilled. Warm wines have confusing flavors, while too-cold ones are muted. Letting them sit in the fridge before serving is best. The best temperature is between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 30 to 40 minutes in the refrigerator or ice water is enough to chill your Clos du Bois Chardonnay.
If you can’t finish the bottle immediately, replace the cork and return it to the fridge. Never let it stay beyond four days before consuming everything. Oxidation would set in if it exceeds that point, making it only suitable for cooking.
Perfect Pairings for Clos du Bois Chardonnay
Clos du Bois Chardonnay expresses itself with every palate and stretches forth to the food it is paired with. It hardly selects food and goes with virtually everything. Do you want to know what to serve with this Californian chardonnay? We have some exciting options; check them out below:
Cheese: wine and cheese are favorites and can be simultaneously at the same place. However, you may not pair all the wines with every cheese. You may have to choose bold cheeses for heavily oaked chardonnays, like Clos du Bois. Try it with English hard cheddar, bleu cheese, or camembert.
Chicken: This is another dish that is found where wine is resident. Both are classic pairings, especially nicely grilled chicken in a delish cream sauce. Always ensure your chicken is white when pairing it with chardonnays; leave the dark meats for your red wines. Additionally, avoid overly sweet sauces and stick to moderate ones to complement this wine.
Seafood: This performs the task of chicken. Seafood dishes like crab, clams, shrimp, lobster, salmon, or mussels pair well with chardonnay. So, prepare your palate for this extraordinary adventure with this wine and your favorite seafood.
Mac and cheese: if you are a fan of creamy pasta like macaroni, you will enjoy the combination with this California chardonnay. It hits as if it is a match made in heaven.
Popular Related Drinks
While Clos du Bois Chardonnay is a popular wine in the US, you can select other good chardonnay products in its place. If you are looking for alternatives, the following are excellent choices:
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay: this is one of Napa Valley’s products, made with the finest grapes. With tasting notes of lemon, pineapple, apple, and vanilla, the drink pours smoothly with a perfect aroma to set the mood in motion. The wine is perfectly balanced with richness and elegance. It has a fresh acidity and is creamy and full-bodied. It is a must-sip for those looking for wine on a budget. The least cost of Beringer Wine is around $25, while it can cost as high as $50.
Louis Jadot Petit Chablis: This bold and bright wine captures the originality of the Chablis region of Burgundy, France. It is refreshingly complex, making it a more sophisticated drink than others. The tasting notes are lemon, green apples, and minerals, resulting from the limestone-rich soils of the region it is made. It is crisp, fresh, and floral, producing a clean and lively finish. With around $25, you can get this drink.
Sebastiani Butterfield Station Chardonnay: This wine is a must-taste offering an exciting drinking experience. It possesses vibrant and delightful flavors, with a creamy texture and faint hints of vanilla. You will love this excellent drink valued below $15 if you love fruity apple and pear flavors. It is perfect for a white wine occasion. The body is strong, yet it is easy to drink. Sebastiani Butterfield Station Chardonnay is sure to please the palate, and pairing it with your favorite meal gives a delightsome feel.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Clos du Bois Chardonnay
Is Clos du Bois a cheap wine?
Their Chardonnay is a popular choice due to its low price. Everyone goes for it because even though it is inexpensive, it offers a quality taste.
What does Clos du Bois Chardonnay taste like?
It offers ripe fruity pear, crisp green apple, vanilla, and toasty oak flavors.
What is Clos du Bois Chardonnay?
Clos du Bois Chardonnay is a refreshingly aromatic wine produced by the Clos du Bois Winery in California. Its complex flavor and rich taste make it a good choice for every class of people.
How much sugar is in Clos du Bois Chardonnay?
This wine contains only three grams of sugar. So, don’t expect an overly sweet drink.
Cheers!
Everyone loves great wine, and Clos du Bois Chardonnay is one to trust. Whether you want to host a small or much gathering, it is a delight for your occasion. Besides, it is reasonably priced and can go with diverse food options. All you need is to chill it a bit before serving it. It is refreshingly tasty to the last drop.