The Big Churn Chardonnay 2024 is a Trader Joe’s exclusive, available for $6.99. It is produced for Trader Joe’s by Fior di Sole, a Napa-based wine company.
The Story
Fior di Sole has been producing the Big Churn Chardonnay since at least the 2015 vintage, and it has kept the $6.99 price tag the whole time.
Fior di Sole is a family-owned wine business with 35 years of wine-making experience.
There are no production notes for this Chardonnay, which states, “takes the classic oaky, buttery profile to new heights”.
This has typically been achieved with toasted oak barrels and malolactic fermentation, along with on-lees aging.
A $6.99 Chardonnay does not have the budget for extensive oak conditioning, so the production of this wine is interesting and a mystery.
The alcohol content is a ripe 14.5%.
Though the winery is based in Napa, the vineyards used are sourced from several California AVAs.
The Big Churn Chardonnay 2024 Tasting Notes
The color is sunshine yellow. The nose is melon, vanilla, and a hint of butter creme, apple, grapefruit, and lime. The Big Churn Chardonnay 2024 does show its buttery/vanilla side; it does not go overboard, but the flavor does dominate the profile.
This Chardonnay tastes like apple, faint butter creme frosting (not too sweet), melon, and pear, oak spice, and coconut milk.
The acidity is balanced and allows the flavors to fully unfold.
The Summary
- The Big Churn Chardonnay 2024 name tells the truth, this is a creamy, Buttery Chardonnay.
- That they achieved this for $6.99 is amazing.
- A good, tasty, fun Chardonnay at a value price.
