WineCanine

Gloria Ferrer consistently makes one of the most satisfying and reasonably-priced California sparklers around, so it comes as no surprise to me that their non-sparkling Carneros Chardonnay is a knockout. It's wonderfully well-balanced, fresh, clean and mouthfilling, with pear and tropical fruit flavors and just enough French oak to satisfy my craving for vanilla. This is right up there with the Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre, and at about $16 a bottle, a few dollars cheaper. The crux of the biscuit: An outstanding wine, and an excellent value.