Toasted Head Chardonnay from Wal-Mart with JustJess

Wine with an interesting story to be told is always a great conversation just waiting to happen.

While walking through Wal-Mart, I spotted Toasted Head Chardonnay for $11.97 and I had a feeling there was a good story behind this name !

This Chardonnay comes from the Dunnigan Hill AVA in Yolo County, a little west of Napa in California. It’s warm climate provides for a nice even ripening, and resulted in aromas of toasted vanilla, peach and pineapple. The palate is very acidic and a bit creamy with hints of butterscotch, lemon and vanilla. This would be a perfect compliment to creamy pasta dishes, roasted chicken and white fish.

The name also comes with a great little story. As they state on their site, “Toasted Head is named for the age-old practice of toasting barrel heads …that imparts a mellow, toasted flavor to barrel-aged wines.”

And that fire breathing bear on the label? Its inspiration derives from artist Robert Shetterly which he drew for a poem called “Speaking Fire at Stones.”

Good wine and an interesting story is what I am all about 🙂

I have to admit, I’ve had better wines at even under ten bucks than this Chardonnay, but try this out for yourself and let me know what you think!

Cheers,

JustJess

Jessica Altieri

Jessica Altieri, Sommelier, “America’s Social Wine Ambassador”, is changing the way consumers experience wine with her mantra that, ‘Wine is just a conversation waiting to happen.’