Med Bag of Chips

Ham, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and arugula.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard in a whole wheat wrap.

Fit Turkey Wrap

Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay / Napa Valley, CA, Kendall-Jackson / Vinter's Reserve Chardonnay, CA, La Crema Chardonnay / Montery, CA, Ferrari Carano / Sonoma, CA, Kim Crawford / New Zealand 2019, Starborough / New Zealand, Riesling, Lescombes / Deming, NM, Pinot Grigio, Ruffino Lumina / Delle Venezie, Italy, Moscato, Mirassou / Modesto, CA

Place all white wine bottles in an ice bucket with ice and cold water 20–30 minutes before service for fuller-bodied Chardonnays and 10–15 minutes for lighter wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Moscato). Aim for serving temperatures: Chardonnays 50–54°F (10–12°C), Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling/Pinot Grigio/Moscato 45–50°F (7–10°C).

Chill and set up

Arrange nine tasting glasses per guest (one per bottle) or plan a rotating flight. Place glasses in the order you plan to taste: typically from lightest to fullest body and driest to sweetest. A recommended order: Starborough Sauvignon Blanc, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio (Ruffino Lumina), Riesling (Lescombes), Moscato (Mirassou), La Crema Chardonnay, Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay, Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay, Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay.

Set out water, plain crackers or bread, tasting note cards, and a spittoon. Ensure wine opener and napkins are ready.

Use a wine opener to remove foil and cork from each bottle right before pouring. Wipe the bottle neck with a napkin after opening to remove any cork particles or dust.

Open bottles

Pour approximately 2 oz (60 ml) per glass for a tasting pour. If offering a full 4–6 oz pour for guests, adjust supply accordingly. Pour in the arranged order, pouring each glass to the same level so guests can compare appearance and aroma easily.

Portioning

Ask tasters to observe color and clarity. Note pale straw and greenish hues for lighter styles (Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio), deeper straw and golden hues for oak-aged Chardonnays and richer styles (Butter Chardonnay, Ferrari-Carano).

Visual

Instruct tasters to gently swirl the glass once and inhale. Identify fruit (citrus, orchard fruit, tropical fruit), floral, mineral, herbaceous (gooseberry, grass), and oak/vanilla/butter notes in Chardonnays.

Aroma

Have tasters take a small sip, let wine coat the tongue, and note acidity, sweetness, body, and finish. Compare drier wines (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc) to medium-sweet Riesling and Moscato, and evaluate the creaminess and oak influence of the Chardonnays.

Taste

Encourage palate cleansing between wines with water and plain crackers to reset taste receptors.

Cleansing

Recommend pairings for each wine: Starborough/Kim Crawford (Sauvignon Blancs) with fresh shellfish, goat cheese, or salads; Pinot Grigio (Ruffino Lumina) with light seafood, light pasta, or antipasti; Riesling (Lescombes) with spicy dishes or Asian cuisine; Moscato (Mirassou) as a dessert or with fruit-based desserts; La Crema, Kendall-Jackson, Jam Cellars Butter, Ferrari-Carano (Chardonnays) with roasted poultry, creamy sauces, grilled salmon, and richer cheeses.

For guests who prefer not to taste every bottle, offer to open a preferred bottle for a full glass (4–6 oz / 120–180 ml) and provide a brief description of that wine's profile.

Collect and rinse tasting glasses promptly with warm water (no detergent if reusing immediately). Empty spittoons and dispose of wine waste appropriately. Return unopened bottles to storage and refrigerate any partially used bottles with a wine stopper; consume within 2–4 days for best freshness.

Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay (Napa Valley, CA)

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay (CA)

La Crema Chardonnay (Monterey, CA)

Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay (Sonoma, CA)

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand, 2019)

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Riesling (Lescombes, Deming, NM)

Pinot Grigio (Ruffino Lumina, Delle Venezie, Italy)

Moscato (Mirassou, Modesto, CA)

White wine tasting glasses (small pour, 4–6 oz / 120–180 ml)

Spittoon or small pour bowls

Water (for palate cleansing)

Unsalted crackers or plain bread

Ice bucket(s) and ice

Wine opener (waiter's friend)

Wine tags or cards for tasting notes

Featured White Wines

Make Featured White Wines Recipe in just 45m. Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay / Napa Valley, CA, Kendall-Jackson / Vinter's Reserve Chardonnay, CA, La Crema Chardonnay / Montery, CA, Ferrari Carano / Sonoma, CA, Kim Crawford / New Zealand 2019, Starborough / New Zealand, Riesling, Lescombes / Deming, NM, Pinot Grigio, Ruffino Lumina / Delle Venezie, Italy, Moscato, Mirassou / Modesto, CA

Featured White Wines

Descriptors

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings

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