- Last updated on March 13, 2023
Welcome! This is our Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay review.
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay is one of the most iconic wines from California’s Napa Valley region.
The Beringer Vineyards, founded in 1876, has been producing award-winning wines for over a century and is one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Napa Valley.
The Private Reserve Chardonnay is their flagship white wine, made with grapes sourced from some of the best vineyards in the region.
Find below our Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay Review
- Brand: Beringer Winery
- Grape Varietal: Chardonnay
- Region: United Stated, Napa Valley
- Tasting Notes: Citrus & Pineapple fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Chardonnay / 45-50 °F (7-10 °C) / Don’t decant
- Store: Up to 3-5 Years
- Price Range: ~$50-$60
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay review: What's its color?
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay has a pale golden color with a hint of green.
When swirled, it displays a medium-high density and clarity, with thin and slow-running legs that indicate its alcohol content and viscosity.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay taste like?
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay is entirely made from Chardonnay grapes and aged 9 months in 75% new French oak barrels.
On the nose, it offers an intense bouquet of ripe tropical fruit, such as pineapple, mango, and papaya, along with hints of vanilla, caramel, and toasted almonds.
These aromas are the result of the aging process, during which the wine spends 9 months in French oak barrels, with 75% of them being new.
On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of ripe fruit and oak.
The wine has a creamy texture and a vibrant acidity that balances the flavors and gives the wine a long, lingering finish.
The oak aging adds complexity and depth, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted almonds that complement the fruit flavors.
Is Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay wine is a dry wine.
A dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay review: Which food pairs well with it?
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay pairs well with a wide range of dishes.
Its full-bodied and rich characteristics make it a great match for bold and flavorful dishes like grilled salmon, roasted chicken, or pork tenderloin with a creamy sauce.
It also pairs well with buttery and creamy dishes like risotto, lobster with butter sauce, or creamy mushroom pasta.
For vegetarian or vegan dishes, it is a great pairing for roasted vegetables with a creamy sauce, like cauliflower au gratin or butternut squash puree.
It also pairs well with creamy vegetable soups like potato leek or mushroom soup.
For cheese pairings, Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay goes well with aged and flavorful cheeses like aged cheddar, gouda, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
It also pairs well with creamy and rich cheeses like brie or camembert.
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay review: What's its alcohol content?
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay wine’s alcohol content is 14.9%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
Since this is an off-dry wine it will have a bit more than 4 calories per grams.
What is Beringer Winery?
Here is an extract from the Beringer Winery website:
“Never ask a wine to masquerade as something it’s not,” believes Ryan Rech, who as Chief Winemaker and General Manager at Beringer has access to some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards.
“It’s the vineyard where important work is done, and my job is to showcase the exceptional fruit I’m fortunate enough to receive.“”
Conclusion
Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay is a beautiful expression of the varietal and the terroir of Napa Valley.
Its intense aromas and flavors are a testament to the quality of the grapes and the winemaking expertise of Beringer Vineyards.
The oak aging adds complexity and depth to the wine, making it a perfect example of California Chardonnay.
This wine is a must-try for anyone who appreciates a well-made Chardonnay and is a perfect match for a variety of dishes and occasions.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
