The Grange County Chardonnay is the Right Kind of White 

This post is going to be one part a review of The Grange County Chardonnay and one part a love letter to The Grange as a wine producer, among my favourites in Prince Edward County. Christine and I make a habit of visiting PEC wineries, and ensure The Grange is among them every single time.

Normally, if I’m grabbing a bottle there, it’s almost invariably their excellent Cabernet Franc which single-handedly changed my opinion on this grape (I previously considered it exclusively tolerable when blended). But on our last trip through the county (for the lovely engagement party of our dear friends) we were on the hunt for a white wine — and lucky we were.

In a flight of several excellent wines, The Grange County Chardonnay (2022 vintage) absolutely shone, even against other fantastic offerings. Here’s what I thought:

The Grange County Chardonnay Review

I used to avoid North American Chards like my life depended on it. But then I discovered Chablis, where instead of flabby, over-oaked monstrosities, there are bracing, delicate mineral notes. I eventually built up the courage to give California Chardonnays another go, and have found many pleasingly balanced wines in the process. But few as balanced as The Grange County Chardonnay.

It pours a lovely straw colour, with big long legs clinging to the glass after a swirl. No surprise there — at 14.2% ABV The County aint no weakling white. The nose is delightful. There’s that classic ozone minerality that reminds me a bit of pavement after a rain. There’s a nice touch of yeasty breadiness and an undercurrent of lemon zest, all propped up by a floral backbone.

The taste is also fantastic. The County Chardonnay has a wonderful, rich mouthfeel and body which — if very sweet or oaked half to death — may have diminished it as summer sipper. But instead that lovely minerality shines through, with the perfect amount of acid to keep things fresh. There’s also a bit of fresh pastry, and a kick of citrus. Not overly complex, but everything well-balanced. The finish is long, with a kiss of sweetness in addition to the stone.

I loved this wine. I love The Grange! I’ll…be back? Because you can’t get many (any?) of The Grange’s wines outside of Prince Edward County. Which means I’ll have to go back to try this again, and you’ll have to plan a trip there. It’s worth it to go try The County Chardonnay, a wine well worth sipping slow.