Lustrous

TJ TuesdayTrader JoesWhite WinesChardonnay
Written By Catherine Courtney

Lustrous Chardonnay

GRAPES: Chardonnay

VINTAGE: 2023

REGION: Sonoma County, California // Russian River Valley

ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE: 14.5%

PRICE: $8.99

I always find it comical when people think “affordable” and “luxurious” can’t exist in the same sentence. Clearly, you haven’t strolled the wine aisle at Trader Joe’s. During my last excursion to Trader Joe’s, I was excited to find several new bottles of wine gracing the shelves, one of which was a Diamond Reserve, but more on that later. One bottle caught my eye, and I thought it would pair perfectly with the warm weather we are experiencing in Nashville. Meet Lustrous Chardonnay—a bottle that looks expensive, tastes indulgent, and costs less than your last takeout order.

Lustrous Chardonnay hails from the Russian River Valley. Never heard of the Russian River Valley? No worries, you’re about to impress your wine-loving friends. Tucked away in Sonoma County, California, this region is basically Chardonnay’s version of a five-star resort. Cool coastal breezes and morning fog keep the grapes happy, slowing down their ripening so they can soak up all the juicy, complex flavors we love. It’s where world-class wine practically grows itself (with a bit of help from some very talented winemakers, of course).

But let’s be clear—this isn’t your grandma’s over-oaked, butter-bomb Chardonnay. No, no. Russian River winemakers have mastered the art of balance. The best bottles offer that perfect dance between opulence and brightness, with a lively acidity that keeps every sip fresh and exciting. Whether aged in oak or left crisp and pure in stainless steel, there’s a style to suit every Chardonnay lover (or convert the skeptics).

Let’s jump into the tasting details.

Tasting Notes:

  • Pale straw to deep gold hue, often with a sun-kissed glow

  • Notes of tropical fruit, lemon, ripe pear throughout

  • Subtle notes of vanilla and spice

  • Call me crazy- picking up notes of toasted nuts

  • Well-balanced acidity

  • Silky texture -borderline creamy

Verdict:

After enjoying a couple of glasses of Lustrous, this little gem proves that good wine doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. So, whether you're pairing it with roasted chicken or creamy pasta or simply sipping while you binge reality TV, one thing is sure: your wine game just got a serious upgrade. If you grab a bottle, drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Until Next Time!

Catherine Courtney

Welcome to Blonde Voyage Nashville!

I am so excited to finally see this dream become a reality.  Between the destination restaurants, the copious amount of food photos and insanely crazy travel stories, I have decided to share my journey. 

My name is Catherine Courtney and I am a Nashville native with a penchant for culinary creativity and epic travel adventures. I'll admit... I also have a slight obsession with handbags.

Two years ago, my life changed completely.  Everything that I knew to be was completely turned upside down.  I quickly realized that time is our greatest commodity and it's not to be taken for granted. I couldn't wait for the perfect time, who knew when that would be.  I needed to take the leap and explore the world on my own.  There were so many places I wanted to go, but where would I start. 

France was always one of those places that I had romanticized.  Wandering the streets of Paris and seeing the Eiffel tower were at the top of my list. Without hesitation, I booked a two week trip to the French Rivera and Paris.  It was a journey of a lifetime.  Not only were amazing friendships cultivated, but it was on that trip that i discovered that food and travel are the embers that that keep my soul on fire. 

It wasn't until I arrived back in Nashville with my passport that I realized I had been bit. Wanderlust had completely taken over.  I already started thinking about where I wanted to go next.  It was then that I decided that it was more important to have camera full of photos and a tattered journal full of stories than anything else. My heart was overflowing.

One of my favorite quotes that resonates is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland:

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures...."

Join me as I explore near and far away places, filling my passport full of stamps and satiating my appetite with some of the most amazing cuisine the world has to offer. 

Thanks for reading! 

       

 

 

http://blondevoyagenashville.com
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