Foods to Pair with Sweet Oaks 2018 Chardonnay (Grandma’s Chardonnay)

If you’re looking for a white wine with a dry finish that contains hints of apples and baking spices, you need a bottle of Sweet Oaks 2018 Grandma’s Chardonnay. Like the other wines produced by Sweet Oaks, the grapes for this Chardonnay have been grown at our picturesque estates in the Temecula Valley.

That means they’ve enjoyed a perfect mix of sunshine and a cool ocean breeze that creates just the right acidity for this wine. Whether you’ve had it before and are already a big fan of Grandma’s Chardonnay, or you’re excited to try it out for the first time, make sure your kitchen is stocked with the best snacks and dinner ingredients that will complement this beverage. Here are some ideas if you’re not sure where to start.

Tasting Notes for Grandma’s Chardonnay

As you open a bottle of this wine, it’s good to know what you can expect when it comes to aroma and taste. First, you’ll observe that the color of this Chardonnay is a rich golden hue. That makes sense because golden apples and toasty new French oak fill out the nose of this wine.

The addition of baking spices and white flowers adds some complexity to Grandma’s Chardonnay. As you taste the wine, you’ll note that the palate is a light to medium body, with both creaminess and bright acidity vying for your attention. It finishes decidedly dry, with that delicious ripe apple fruit quality lingering for a bit after every sip you take.

The Best Foods To Pair with Grandma’s Chardonnay

Before you sit down with that first glass of wine, be sure you know the foods to grab from the kitchen that will complement the flavor of this Chardonnay. Keep in mind that Chardonnay is considered rather versatile, as it’s essentially a blank canvas whose flavor will change a bit depending on what foods you pair with it. The foods that best complement this lightly oaked wine tend to be mild, buttery, and creamy—not too bold or spicy. Here are some examples of what to eat with your glass of Grandma’s Chardonnay.

Cheese

When you think of snacks that pair well with wine, cheese probably comes to mind pretty fast. But there are so many choices—from white to yellow and from hard to soft—that you might struggle to figure out which cheese is right with which wine.

With this particular Chardonnay, your best bet is a creamy, buttery cheese, like brie. A nutty cheddar can also work with lightly oaked Chardonnay, as the taste of this cheese can complement the toasty, spicy flavors of the wine.

Fruits and Vegetables

If you’re thinking of making a charcuterie board to enjoy with Grandma’s Chardonnay, you already know the cheese to include on it. But what else should you add to go with the brie and cheddar? You can make it a healthy, tasty board by including some fruits and vegetables that go well with Chardonnay, too!

If you’re looking for fresh produce to pair with your wine, some good options are mango, apples, peaches, pears and avocado. But, note that oaked Chardonnay goes well with roasted or grilled vegetables. Some examples are sweet potatoes, butternut squash, asparagus, zucchini and corn. So, whether you’re looking for a good side for your dinner or want some healthy appetizers to go with your Chardonnay, these are some tasty options to consider.

Meat

White wines usually pair best with white meat—such as chicken, fish and pork—and Grandma’s Chardonnay is no exception. But, you shouldn’t use just any recipe to make the meat that you’ll pair with wine. After all, some types of sauces—such as tomato-based or overly spicy options—can clash with Chardonnay.  

The types of sauce you should use instead tend to be buttery, creamy, and somewhat mild—with most of the flavor coming from herbs or mushrooms. No matter what type of sauce you put on your chicken, fish or pork, you should consider pairing the food with pasta or salad.

For example, chicken fettuccine alfredo would go great with Grandma’s Chardonnay. A pork and apple salad would compliment this wine, too. And, if you feel like enjoying some seafood as you sip your white wine, you can’t go wrong with pan-fried lemon butter fish to perfectly set off the flavors of your Chardonnay.

Dessert

Don’t forget to end the night with some dessert to complement that last glass of wine before bed. One treat to try is a lemon bar with a buttery crust, as the tang of this dessert pairs well with the subtly fruity taste of the wine. Apple pie is also a winner when it comes to a great dessert to pair with Chardonnay.

If you want less fruit in your dessert, consider nutty treats instead. These pair well with Chardonnay since they bring out the nutty, creamy flavor of the wine. So try some marzipan or pecan pie for dessert with your glass of Grandma’s Chardonnay.

If you’re looking for even more wine pairing ideas and recipes, check out our blog for posts like Sweet Oaks 2018 Chardonnay Tasting Notes and Pairings. Then, feel free to browse our wines to find more options to try!