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South African Chardonnay

We are still finding wonderful chardonnays from all over the world. Hugh did some digging in South Africa and came up with these.

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60

Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine ****= elite

VALUE = exceptional quality for the money

Thelema Chardonnay, Stellenbosch '19 **1/2 $$ WINE OF THE WEEK

(A lush chard with just a touch of oak, deep flavors, long finish, quality)

De Westhof Estate Chardonnay, Limestone Hill, Robertson Valley '22 **1/2 $$

(Restrained elegance, un-oaked, mild tropical flavors, very drinkable)

Klein Constantia Chardonnay, Constantia Valley '20 *** $$$

(Famous estate, this is a fine wine for a fine dinner, pricy but worth it.)

All of these wines can be purchased at Kenilworth Wine and Spirits.

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.
As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.