Lush and rich, with ripe pineapple and apricot flavors.

K-J is a California icon and deserves much of the credit for weaning American consumers away from overly sweet whites and introducing them to the pleasures of good, dry chardonnay. Winemaster Randy Ullom calls this creamy, sensitively oaked chard “the winemaker’s cut.” It comes from the top three per cent of specially designated fruit from along the coastal ridges of Santa Barbara and Monterey counties. Pair its fresh tropical fruit flavours with roast chicken or pork, scallops and prawns or chanterelle, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms.

Kendall-Jackson’s history of producing exceptional varietal wines from California’s cool coastal regions takes another step forward with the release of this refreshing, food-friendly Chardonnay. Avant is a blend of Chardonnay wines fermented 50% in stainless steel and 50% in neutral oak barrels. Bright varietal character shines through in both the nose and on the palate showing aromas/flavors of pineapple, citrus, green apple, pear and orchard flowers. Hints of barrel fermentation linger on the finish, framing the attenuated Chardonnay fruit and adding complexity for food pairings.

This new K-J Chard was created in a crisp, fruit-driven style. Half of the wine if fermented in steel tanks, while the other half goes into neutral barrels. That's just enough oak contact to give the wine roundness without obscuring the fruit. The wine has aromas of green apples and pears, along with tropical fruit and lemon flavors.

K-J released the Avant 2009 Chardonnay just this year, a crisp, clean and light chardonnay for only $14, sourced from a multitude of vineyards along the California coast, the majority of them in Monterey. It's an amazing value, ideal for summer parties, tropical through and through, with tangible acidity and plenty of fruit to please a wide array of chardonnay palates.

Jess Jackson, the self-made billionaire, the lawyer-turned-vintner, made a fortune by creating a slightly sweet chardonnay that played to America's soda-pop palate. But the Jackson empire has expanded its chardonnay repertoire to include a crisp, refreshing option - our wine-of-the-week winner, the Avant, 2009 KJ Chardonnay, a steal for $14.

A tropical chardonnay with aromas and flavors of pineapple, green apple, mineral and spice. Round texture. Hint of caramel and vanilla. Bright and balanced. A great value.

The first sip of our Wine of the Week, Kendall-Jackson Avant 2009 California Chardonnay, is like falling facedown in an orchard on a summer morning. An enormous amount of mid-palate fruit - pineapple, mango, custard apple, pear and sweet lime - grabs your attention as it lingers on your palate, you're soon thinking of both vanilla and cream soda. There's just the slightest hint of oak, not much at all, and enough acid that the finish evolves from almost-cloying to moderately refreshing. Fans of California chardonnay will love this wine.

Though Kendall-Jackson's iconic Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay remains immensely popular, longtime winemaker Randy Ullom tweaks his successful model-quite effectively with the first vintage of this bottling. The wine is made solely in stainless steel tanks and older barrels (which impart no oak flavors), keeping its lemon-citrus flavors lively and crisp.

Granny Smith apple juice as wine, with a frame of softly rendered, barrel-touched ferment. A super mix of California's better regions in one white.

Aromas of green apple, pear, orange and vanilla. Aggressive flavors of tart green apple, lemon, lime, honey, cinnamon and clove with lingering background earthiness and creaminess.

This warhorse that has courted palates for more than 30 years still has edge. The aromas singe your nostrils with lime, citrus, apple and pineapple. In the mouth, you pick up the butterscotch and spice off oak barrels. This vintage comes with a neck tag that displays a QR code that can be scanned into smart phones for viewing tasting notes.

A good, showy chardonnay with aromas and flavors of baked apple, toast, herbs and spice. A creamy, lush texture, yet has good acid. A great value.

Straightforward citrus flavors are rich yet focused in this tasty KJ white.

A showy, rich chardonnay with notes of pear, apple, herbs and spice. Caramel finish.

The firm, keenly Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve 2008 from Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties simple shines at the price.

Made from grapes grown in Jackson Estate's coastal vineyards, this tasty Chardonnay offers aromas of bright citrus, pineapple, green apple and toasty vanilla. The palate is crisp and food-friendly with tropical and apple flavors and just a hint of toasty oak on the finish. A very good value for summer sipping.

Each issue, our editors huddle up and select a pair of can't-miss, quality wines that are readily available across the country. This issue we suggest a red (shiraz) and white (chardonnay) combo that is a classic backyard pairing awaiting a barbecue or a block party or both. Spicy, melon, floral, butter, vanilla, mango, guava, light lychee aromas. Round, soft, off-dry palate with somewhat juicy acidity. Buttery, spicy lees, melon, honey, lychee, mango and vanilla flavours with a creamy finish. Riper, tropical style that offers good intensity and balance, with some finesse.

California: rich and ripe, with aromas and flavors of peaches and apricots.

Hard to go wrong with ol' KJ. Comfort wine for comfort sipping in these hard times.

You can't beat this wonderfully textured chardonnay from a prime growing region for chardonnay. Mango and spice with soft mouthfeel and long finish.