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2012 Badger Mountain NSA Organic Chardonnay - Review

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What's in the pretty blue bottle?

You don't have to take a class to understand what's in this pretty blue bottle. It's a lovely, fresh, unoaked, NSA, Certified USDA Organic Washington Chardonnay. However, let's clear up a couple of terms before delving into the tasting notes.

What is NSA?

This wine is labeled NSA (No Sulfites Added) only naturally occurring sulfites are present in this wine. Yeast naturally produces sulfites during fermentation. "...even if no sulfur dioxide is added to wine, fermenting yeasts will produce SO2 from the naturally occurring inorganic sulfates in all grape juices." If you have family who are sulfite sensitive, or suspect they are, then you will want to share this wine with them.

What is Organic Wine?

Organic wines are produced using organically grown grapes. No pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, or synthetic chemicals of any kind are allowed on the vines or in the soil. Strict rules govern the winemaking process and storage conditions of all imported and domestic wines that acquire certification. Moreover, organic winemakers often avoid many of the chemical substances used to stabilize conventional wines. This is a premium Organic Washington wine you will enjoy sharing with friends.


Tasting Notes

Color: Straw
Nose: Toasty, fruity, apricot, Asian pear, hit of mineral.
Palate: Fruity, bright and creamy, apricot, pear juice and modest spice. Tastes sweeter than expected with good acid on the medium finish. This bottle held up for 5 days in the refrigerator too. Just as fresh and tasty as on day one.

Thoughts: A friendly, fruit forward, NSA, Organic Certified white wine. Ready to drink now. Soft cheese, salty crackers and sliced apple were a perfect match. This Chardonnay will cut through salty, fatty foods and keep your appetite going. Definitely a food wine - think appetizers. Truly a nice change of pace for me. Drink now through 2015. Recommended.

Blend: 100% Certified Organic Chardonnay
Vineyards: 82% Arete, 18% Badger Mountain Estate
Closure: Screw cap
ABV: 13%
Purchased at the winery
SRP: $12
Production: 4,000 cases

The solar powered tasting room has a fantastic selection of Badger Mountain and Powers white and red wines and some of the best hospitality. The winery tasting room is nestled on top of Badger Mountain in a residential area. Those homes were not there when the vineyard was planted. About the time you think you missed them, you'll see the sign to the winery on the right side of the road - bring your GPS just in case. Their facility has a park like area perfect for spring/summer picnic.


Badger Mountain, Inc.
(Powers Winery/Badger Mountain Vineyard,)
1106 North Jurupa Street,
Kennewick, WA 99338,
Phone: 800.643.WINE (9463)
www.badgermtnvineyard.com

I have enjoyed visiting Badger Mountain and Powers Winery over the last 20 years. Badger Mountain Winery is the arm of Powers Winery which grows organic grapes and bottles Organic wines. Bill Powers and his family have been crafting delicious Washington wines for many years. Badger Mountain vineyard was planted in 1982. In 1990 Badger Mountain Vineyard became the first Certified Organic wine grape vineyard in Washington State. In 2010, Bill Powers was inducted into the Legend of Washington Wine at the Walter Clore Center.

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