Chappellett chardonnay and +1 to Merry Edwards Sauv Blanc.
Tenshen White Blend, central coast is $20. Both the 2014 and 2015 were on the WS top 100 so could be know. They are very good and crowd-pleasing IMO. The 2016 is not as good.
You mentioned it’s being held at a sporting arena. Any players or owners at the event involved in wine? Could make for a nice tie in
Agree with Rombauer (over my original K-J suggestion) if it meets the cost criterion. I don’t keep up with it, but had the impression it was over $30 these days.
A Macon from Comte Lafon - estate has big name
How about if the Chablis is from Drouhin.
Just save money and get Kendall Jackson if you are going to get that.
Hmm, Lions, Panthers…no Cougars I can think of.
I agree w/ NZ Sauv Blanc. Oyster bay, cloudy bay. Kim Crawford…
I think the “Jackson Estate” Chardonnay bottlings are a step up, still in the right price range, offer a familiar variety, name recognition, and usually some RS to appeal to the non-geek crowd.
No doubt it has to be a domestic chardonnay, tons of oak, touch of sweetness.
Rombauer if you can find it at your price point, else Duckhorn would get my vote.
J. Lohr Chardonnay, which has been a best-kept secret among California chardonnay fans for a long time. Very oaky, buttery, at nearly half the cost of La Crema. But if you want to pay twice the price of J. Lohr, then go with La Crema chardonnay.
Strictly $30 is gonna be almost impossible.
Fess Parker “Ashley” [Eric Asimov’s choice, back in 2009] might just slide in under $30, but in some jurisdictions, it’s pushing $40:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/fess+parker+ashley/1/usa
https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/dining/reviews/04wine.html/1/usa
750ml bottles of Rombauer are now solidly mid-$30s [and even the 375ml bottles are getting into the $20s]:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/rombauer+chardonnay/1/usa
Long-Depaquit Vaillons is $35 to $45 [and the Moutonne Monopole is now well over $100]:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/long+depaquit+vaillons/1/usa
You might be able to get the To Kalon Reserve Fume Blanc for $39.99, but it could equally well cost you more than $50:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/to-kalon+reserve+fume+blanc/1/usa
The cheapest St Aubin is $41.99:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/st+aubin+chardonnay/1/usa
Droin Montee de Tonnerre is $45 to $60:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/droin+montee+de+tonnerre/1/usa
Francois Carillon Puligny-Montrachet Villages is more than $30 for 375ml:
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/francois+carillon+puligny/1/usa
At strictly $30:
Donnhoff Tonschiefer
$22.98 to $28.99
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/donnhoff+tonschiefer/1/usa
Chablisienne L’Homme Mort
$28.99
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/chablisienne+mort/1/usa
2015 Chateau Ste Michelle Cold Creek
$18.99 to $34.99
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/michelle+cold+creek+vineyard+chardonnay/1/usa
2015 Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge
$21.49 to $34.99
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/michelle+canoe+ridge+chardonnay/1/usa
2015 Fess Parker Ashley
$26.99 to $37.99
https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/fess+parker+ashley/1/usa
It ain’t the 1990s anymore.
These prices are insane.
Great choice, but not much name recognition with the sports crowd
I would agree it should be a US Chardonnay if you’re looking for name recognition. Any of the older Napa wineries would probably work. Or try Wente Riva Ranch. It’s actually not a bad wine and it’s around $15 or so. Standard issue Chardonnay, but at a much better price point than some of those Nathan linked to. I guess I’ve been out of that market for a long time - can’t believe some of those prices.
Sarah, Trimbach Pinot Gris Reserve Personnelle.
Geez, it has gotten expensive!
Ok, Trimbach PG Reserve. Very favorable notes and priced right. And flexible.
I can remember when Louis Carillon Puligny Villages & Long-Depaquit La Moutonne Monopole were $30 to $35 wines.
And it wasn’t all that long ago.
But unless I win the lottery, I’ll never again cross paths with either of those wines.
Sheesh.
I like Talley Edna valley for a domestic chard.