Matt Attacks Toasty Oak

[Innkeeper]

Matt apparently doesn't have much influence of the rest of rag he writes for. The current editon features California Chardonnay (what was the last time they featured American Riesling?). In the "Best Buys" box they featured twelve wines. Nine of the twelve had the explitive "toasty oak" in their descriptions. One of higher rated ones that didn't was B.V. Coastal (W.S. 87). They just talked about apples, melons, and other lovely things.

So, I picked up a bottle the other day for $9.99. When I got home, I examined the back label (yeah, should have done that in the store!). In B.V.'s own description they use the explitive "toasty oak."

Went to B.V. website to check out the details. They state that the wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, and that 60% of is is "oak aged" before bottling. They use this description of the process in two different places on the site. They do not mention barrels in either place. Of course, what else could you expect in a $10 chardonnay?

For the uninitiated, let me explain. They like just about everyone else that sells "toasty oak" chardonnay for less than $15, use oak "tea bags." They take oak sawdust, and roast it. They they either put in giant tea bags and toss it into the tank, or they just toss it into the tank, and wait for it to settle to the bottom.

This is how most of the most popular wine in America is made. Isn't that simply wonderful?