Elouan Oregon Chardonnay ($20) is an interesting item because the grapes are grown in Oregon, but the wine is made in California. Transporting grapes that distance can be tricky and at the price, the winemakers must have gotten a hell of a deal at some vineyard!

Oregon Chardonnays have often been a tetch over acidic, though climate change seems to be bringing a bit more ripeness to the wine. The result here is a wine that offers most of the fruity aromas and tastes of California or Washington versions, but with an added punch of acidity that makes this wine a standout for food pairing.

The wine might be a little tart for just quaffing at a party, but it matches up nicely with foods. We had this wine with mussels in a white wine sauce as well as a grilled halibut, and the results were superb. I think it would be equally well suited with flounder or a shrimp and pasta – just make sure you use a mild sauce.

This article appears in September 27 • 2024.

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Wes Marshall is the author of What's a Wine Lover To Do? (Artisan) and The Wine Roads of Texas (Maverick), as well as the Executive Producer of the PBS television series of the same name. Wes has written for The Austin Chronicle since 1999, covering wine, cocktails, food, and travel.