Arroyo Seco Chardonnay: A Buttery Companion for Creamy Soups

I just opened this beauty: Chardonnay from Arroyo Seco, Monterey. It's from California, and honestly, if you'd told me a year ago that I'd be a buttery Chardonnay girl, I would have laughed at you.

Because Who? Me? I never was the type who liked an oaked Chardonnay because I just didn't like the taste. But as I continue to listen to my body, navigate the occasional acid reflux, and learn more about food pairing, I've realized: Yeah. I actually am that girl who likes an oaked Chardonnay.

Now, would I drink this by itself? No. I don't like it solo. But if I'm having something with a little bit of fat? Amazing.

The Pairing: Broccoli Cheddar Soup

I paired this with a broccoli and cheddar soup that I made, and it was perfect. The creaminess of the soup plus the creaminess of the Chardonnay? It complements the textures beautifully. You add in the sharp cheddar cheese plus the butteriness of the wine, and fat plus fat always equals balance. And of course, that white wine cuts through the richness.

So for my girlies who love a good soup, especially a broccoli cheddar soup, I would highly recommend this wine, especially ones from California.

Tasting Notes

Color: Upon opening, the wine in the glass was a beautiful pale yellow. To me, it gave California sunset energy—you know, late in the evening, but it's not dark yet, and you can feel yourself kind of winding down for the day. That's what that color gave to me. I don't know, I'm learning how to describe the color of a wine in the way that connects to how my life is currently going.

Nose: Immediately, I smell that butteriness from the Chardonnay and the oak. I got that hint of vanilla that you can never miss when you have a barrel-aged Chardonnay. The bottle says it's barrel fermented and aged in French and American oak, with flavors of Bosc pear, Meyer lemon, and toasty vanilla.

Palate: First sip? Definitely buttery. I definitely taste vanilla, but I did not get the pear. And I don't get the lemon. I get like a hint of pineapple. But on that second sip, I taste a little bit of the lemon.

The Verdict

This is an excellent wine to give a shot, with a good creamy soup. Would I buy it again? Probably not. But for what it was? Great. It did exactly what I needed it to do: pair beautifully with my soup without triggering my reflux.

Total Wine, as always, for the win. 🍷 Cheers!

Wine: Arroyo Seco Chardonnay, Monterey, California

Pairing: Broccoli cheddar soup

Price: ~$17.99

Low-acid friendly!

Buy again: Not likely, but solid for the pairing