2019 Unoaked Christine’s Selection Stuhlmuller – Block 2 Alexander Valley Sonoma County

I dedicate this to my daughter, Christine, who enjoys Chardonnay but not with . So, I made this unoaked, Chablis - style Chardonnay to satisfy her palate. The way we made this wine is also very special and fun. These delicious were hand-picked and foot-stomped in the old tradition by my wife, Rita, and myself. So, remember to take the time to enjoy family and wine with this delicious unoaked Chardonnay.

Other Facts:

Harvest Date: September 10th, 2019 100% Chardonnay Alcohol: 13.9% pH: 3.63 TA: 6.2

Cases produced: 248 Mengler Family – Chris Mengler, Founder/ Winemaker [email protected] $32/750mL www.menglerwine.com (707) 620 - 0175

2019 Unoaked Chardonnay Christine’s Selection Stuhlmuller Vineyards – Block 2 Alexander Valley Sonoma County

Key Viticultural and Enological Facts

Soil Sandy Loam Clone Wente Brix 22.7 Harvest Date 9/10/2019 Yeast type T-306 Fermentation timeline 9/14/2019 – 10/11/2019 Fermentation technique Open top stainless-steel tanks (100% Stainless) Press details Treaded by feet; three-day cold soak; whole cluster press to 1.0 bar Bottle date 12/12/2019 Release Date August 2021 pH 3.63 T/A 6.2 g/L R/S <0.1% V/A 0.26 g/L Alcohol 13.9% Production 246

2019 Unoaked Chardonnay Christine’s Selection Stuhlmuller Vineyards – Block 2 Alexander Valley Sonoma County

Pricing

Retail Retail case Frontline 3 - 11 cs 12 - 25 cs 26+ cs $25.00 $300.00 $200.00 $180.00 $165.00 $150.00

2019 Unoaked Chardonnay Christine’s Selection Stuhlmuller Vineyards – Block 2 Alexander Valley Sonoma County

Varietal information:

Common synonyms: Arboisier, Arnaison Blanc, Arnoison, Aubaine, Auvergnat Blanc, Auvernas Blanc, Auvernat Blanc, , Auxois Blanc, Bargeois Blanc, Beaunois, Blanc de , Breisgauer Sussling, Burgundi Feher, Chablis, Chardennet, Chatey Petit, Chaudenet, Claevner, Clevner Weiss, Epinette Blanche, Epinette de Champagne, Ericey Blanc, Feher Chardonnay, Feherburgundi, Feinburgunder, Blanc, Gelber Weissburgunder, Gentil Blanc, Grosse Bourgogne, Klawner, Klevanjka Biela, Lisant, Luisant, Luizannais, Luizant, Luzannois, Maconnais, Maurillon Blanc, Melon Blanc, Melon d'Arbois, Moreau Blanc, Morillon, Morillon Blanc, Moulon, Noirien Blanc, Petit Chatey, Petit Sainte-Marie, Pino Shardone, a Cramant, Pinot Blanc Chardonnay, Pinot Chardonnay, Plant de Tonnerre, Romere, Romeret, Rouci Bile, Rousseau, Roussot, Rulander Weiss, Sainte Marie Petite, Sardone, Shardone, Weiss Silber, Weissburgunder, Weissedler

Parentage of the : Chardonnay is the world’s most popular and important grape for producing , as well as Champagne, and . Today, there are 34 different clones of Chardonnay. But where did Chardonnay come from? Recent DNA research conducted at UC Davis, California concluded Chardonnay is the result of a cross between , Pinot Blanc and . Very little Gouais Blanc vines remain. Most of the remaining vines are found in Germany. Experts are not sure when or where the crossbreeding took place. It probably happened centuries ago. It is very likely that the Romans planted Gouais Blanc on French soils in areas where Pinot Noir was planted as well. From that point on, nature took its course.

Chardonnay is the world’s most popular grape for white wine. In fact, Chardonnay is also the 5th most widely planted grape variety in the world. One taste of a great Chardonnay and it’s easy to see why. In fact, Chardonnay is now so popular, the grape has its own holiday, International Chardonnay Day is celebrated every May 21!

History of the grape: For much of its history, a connection was assumed between Chardonnay and Pinot noir or Pinot blanc. In addition to being found in the same region of for centuries, ampelographers noted that the leaves of each plant have near-identical shape and structure. Pierre Galet disagreed with this assessment, believing that Chardonnay was not related to any other major grape variety. Viticulturalists Maynard Amerine and Harold Olmo proposed a descendency from a wild vinifera vine that was a step removed from white Muscat. Chardonnay's true origins were further obscured by owners in Lebanon and Syria, who claimed that the grape's ancestry could be traced to the Middle East, from where it was introduced to Europe by returning Crusaders, though little external evidence supports that theory. Another theory stated that it originated from an ancient indigenous vine found in Cyprus.

2019 Unoaked Chardonnay Christine’s Selection Stuhlmuller Vineyards – Block 2 Alexander Valley Sonoma County

Modern DNA fingerprinting research at University of California, Davis, now suggests that Chardonnay is the result of a cross between the Pinot noir and Gouais blanc (Heunisch) grape varieties. The Romans are thought to have brought Gouais blanc from Croatia, and it was widely cultivated by peasants in eastern France. The Pinot of the French aristocracy grew in close proximity to the Gouais blanc, giving both grapes ample opportunity to interbreed. Since the two parents were genetically distant, many of the crosses showed hybrid vigor and were selected for further propagation. These "successful" crosses included Chardonnay and siblings such as Aligoté, , Auxerrois, Bachet noir, , Franc Noir de la-Haute-Saône, Gamay Blanc Gloriod, Gamay noir, Melon, Knipperlé, , , , and .

Characteristics of the grape: The Chardonnay grape is made into both still wine and sparkling wine, of which the most famous example is Champagne. Chardonnay is vinified in many different styles and may be aged in or out of oak barrels. While Chardonnay can benefit from some bottle aging, most are typically meant to be drunk young and can be consumed immediately upon purchase.

Chardonnay that has gone through and/or aged in new oak barrels will have a less crisp, more toasty and buttery flavor, while those that do not will be more crisp. All should exhibit some citrus fruit flavors with hints of melon.

Regions where the grape is currently important: The Chardonnay grape is thought to have originated in the region of France but is now grown in nearly every wine growing region around the world making it one of the most popular and widely planted grape varieties in the world. Some of the most famous regions where Chardonnay is grown include: Burgundy, France; Chablis, France; Champagne, France; California (Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino); and Australia.