4 | Wine | Chardonnay, Less than $10

Bright and luminous to the eye, with orchard fruit and spice on the nose. Apples and vanilla on the palate, with citrus suggestions and minerals emerging in the finish. This is textbook Chardonnay that displays a surprisingly broad range of flavors, and is a diamond in the rough at this price point.

"Fresh flavours of peach, rockmelon and a hint of vanilla, this soft, juicy white is a perfect medium weighted wine for anytime drinking."

This statewide blend stands up well against far more expensive Chardonnays. It's rich and crisp in acidity, with tropical fruit, pear and peach flavors, as well as a generous coating of oak and buttercream. Easy to find, with nearly 11,000 cases produced. Best Buy."

"This brilliant, golden-straw-colored Chardonnay opens with bright and delicate aromas of pears, citrus and what can only be described as apple blossoms, followed by flavors of pear, lemon, toasty coconut and hints of peach, pineapple and cinnamon. Barrel fermentation and aging on the lees contribute a creamy mouthfeel and our hallmark toasty finish. This wine tastes great with poultry, seafood in a lemon-butter sauce, creamy pasta or an onion cream tart." Notes from 2010 vintage.

"This lighter style Chardonnay is fresh and vibrant with bright apple and pear aromas coupled with a hint of coconut. Flavors of orchard fruits are accented by nuances of citrus and toasty oak, ending with a juicy, crisp finish. Intended for immediate enjoyment, this Chardonnay captures the varietal intensity indicative of wines from Washington State."

"This is a fresh, soft style of Chardonnay with bright apple and sweet citrus fruit character and subtle spice and oak nuances. We blend Chardonnay grapes from vineyards all over Washington’s Columbia Valley to make this a complex, interesting wine. The sur lie aging gives it an appealing softness."

"Bright and tangy with lemon and nectarine fruit flavors that expand on the finish. Crisp, clean and beautifully styled to pair with food."