news-record.com

More than a third of Misty Creek’s vineyard, in the Yadkin Valley, is planted to Chardonnay, the most popular white wine varietal in the U.S.

Owner Barry Nichols points to three distinct soil types in which his Chardonnay grows and how they impart different nuances to the wine. The 2008 vintage – a silver medal winner at the N.C. State Fair Wine Competition – is quintessential Chardonnay: pure citrus and tropical fruit with delicate floral aromas.

Nichols was intentionally going for that style, choosing to let the wine run its course in stainless steel tanks without any exposure to oak barrel: “My personal preference is not to use oak in this. It overpowers those delicate flavors.”

This fruit forward wine works well with simple seafood.

Ingredients

1 pound crabmeat

2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce

1 Teaspoon of Tabasco sauce

1 ounce chili sauce

3 ounces of cheddar cheese

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon of prepared horseradish

½ cup of mayonnaise

Directions

Mix all ingredients. Let sit for one hour to absorb flavor.

Serve cold with toast points or crackers.