Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/735024
A lthough winemaker Rob Davis has worked at Jordan Vineyard & Winery for 40 years, he still calls himself "a humble student of Chardonnay." Here's what he has learned–both in the vineyard and in the winery–about how best to spotlight fruit, freshness and minerality in Jordan's singular Chardonnay. This seamless wine has sommeliers and wine lovers alike questioning its origin. KEEPING COOL Chardonnay–the famed white grape of France's Burgundy region–loves the Russian River Valley, where misty coastal influences create cooler temperatures, allowing grapes to slowly develop flavors. "Fruit intensity is better," Davis says. Grown on gravelly, well-draining soils along the river, grapes retain the crisp acidity that adds length and complexity. BALANCING ACT Less can be more in the vineyard–meaning that fewer clusters of grapes can yield better wine. Davis and his crews bring vines into symmetry–matching the number of grape clusters with the leaf canopy and weather conditions so fruit can ripen perfectly and uniformly. A balanced vine makes for a balanced wine. COLD NIGHTS Pre-dawn harvesting creates cooling magic for Chardonnay, with temperatures that can drop to the 40s. "Harvesting in the coldest hours preserves acidity and elevates aroma and flavor. Purity of the fruit comes through," Davis says. HANDS-OFF IN THE CELLAR "Our focus is to intensify the fruit and also give beautiful balance on the palate," Davis says. Jordan Chardonnay receives just the lightest kiss of French oak, and malolactic fermentation and bâttonage are employed judiciously to impart nuanced flavor, mouthfeel and structure. Jordan's current Chardonnay release–the 2014–reveals flavors of Fuji and green apple that play off fresh Meyer lemon and lime zest, sustained by vibrant acidity. All this attention to detail helps achieve the goal of John Jordan, whose parents founded their namesake winery in 1972; making wines that can stand with the best in France. White BALANCE W i n e m a k e r R o b D a v i s s h a re s t h e s e c re t s o f w h y J o rd a n C h a rd o n n a y i s o f t e n m i s t a k e n f o r a n e l e g a n t W h i t e B u rg u n d y jordanwinery.com · info@jordanwinery.com Please enjoy responsibly. ©2016 Jordan Vineyard & Winery, Healdsburg, CA Clockwise, from top: Winemaker Rob Davis inspecting freshly picked Chardonnay grapes, a foggy morning over the Russian River Valley, the 2014 Russian River Valley Jordan Chardonnay, a balanced Chardonnay vine, newly arrived French oak barrels to the winery.