Page 22 - Boca Club News - September '22

Page 22, Boca Club News
Grape Expectations: Chardonnay Revisited

By Ed Wolfarth, who moved to continuing his passion for writing, and has written on the often found in the Napa Valley to more acidic types found in
South Florida after retiring with his subject for publications. As a self-proclaimed “wine snob,” Sonoma. As an aside, I was asked to be on the tasting panel
wife, Vicki, as Professor of Sports he has collaborated on many wine lists for private clubs and a few years back for the AFWC. That’s the American Fine
Sciences & Physical Education at a few restaurants. Ed can be reached at wolfarthe@msn.com. Wine Competition. I sat at a table of five. There were five
both Queens College and Hofstra This is mostly for the ABC crowd–the “anything but tables of five, 25 tasters in all. Sommeliers, winemakers,
University. He is a nationally ranked chardonnay” group that still scoffs at anything Chardonnay. restauranteurs, writers and bloggers were all present.
senior tennis player and long-time As you might surmise, all grape varietals can be made in We blind tasted Pinot Noirs, Zinfandels (the red type) and
USPTA Elite Teaching Professional. divergent styles, from dry to sweet, oaked or not oaked–and Chardonnays. On the first Chard, I smelled, sipped and tasted
Ed has written many educational can taste so differently from the predisposed opinions. Just and successfully identified the wine as a cool-climate Chard
and tennis articles in the past. Over the past few years, as “Rieslings are all sweet,” another myth. Let’s, however, from Sonoma. I’m good! The fellow next to me says, “Nice
Ed has turned his hobby of wine collecting into a way of examine the world of Chardonnay. work Ed,” and follows with, “2016 Russian River!” Some
Chardonnay is the second mostly widely planted white people can do that, and he was spot on. The taste and aroma
wine grape and the most popular among wine drinkers. I of oak or vanilla are easy to spot. The ability to identify the
Dining Out from page 21 know, you are wondering what’s first. It’s a local grape of vintage and specific region—well, that’s another level.
Spain that is used in the production of Sherry; it’s called New Zealand and Australia. Both are producing world-
From The Dessert Tray: If there’s a huge variety of Airen. I like to think of Chardonnay as the “chicken of the class Chards made in all different styles. The Margaret River
Indian desserts you can’t tell from Arun’s menu. The only wine world.” You can do almost anything with it, from heavily of western Australia, in particular, is a region I would highly
two choices are the popular Indian dessert called Gulab oaked buttery versions to lean and acidic crisp wines. If recommend you seek out. Marlborough and Gisborne in New
Jamun—golden fried balls of milk solids and flour find their Chardonnay got a report card, it would say “plays nice with Zealand are also two regions I would seek out for cool climate
sweetness from cardamom syrup—or, you can challenge others.” chards.
your sweet tooth with Ramalai ($4.00). This classic Indian So why the backlash against Chardonnay? For many Before we go, allow me to list my favorite Chards in
dessert consists of sweet, juicy, soft cheesy morsels that are years, it was being made in a homogenous style: bland and no particular order. They are all considered cool climate
addictive and super delicious. They are typically served with often heavily oaked to hide any flaws. So back in the ‘90s— Chardonnays with little or no oak, but all are well balanced
thickened milk. and in particular in California—there was backlash to the with wonderful acidity and fruit. I’m just not a big fan of the
Check, Please: I wouldn’t be surprised that on your backlash—a new movement towards lighter, crisper style heavily oaked types.
approach to Arun’s Kitchen you start to question Hungry Chards that weren’t heavily oaked or had no oak at all. In Kumeu River Chardonnays. From New Zealand, these
Al’s picks of restaurants to review. But the best barometer Sonoma, France, New Zealand and Oregon, many producers Chards show great minerality, balance and with a long finish.
in trying an ethnic eating establishment is not to score by began making what has become known as “cool climate From the singles vineyard ones that could sell for $60 and
appearance nor the silverware, but by the number of ethnic Chardonnays.” Let’s look at some of these regions that are more to the Estate bottling for $30, you can’t go wrong.
patrons in attendance. Arun’s Indian Kitchen had more than making world-class Chards in a completely different style Definitely seek it out.
enough Indian customers to let us know we were in good than the ABC crowd has come to dislike. Italian Chardonnays. Look for Planeta, Jermann and my
hands. France–Did you know that Chablis and Pouilly Fuisse favorite, Terlano Kreuth Vineyard. This $30 Chard shows
Maybe it’s time you branch out and accept that not are 100% Chardonnay? But they’re completely different. how you can have your cake and eat it, too. There’s oak,
everything has to cost you a C-note to rationalize its quality. Pouilly Fuisse sees some time in oak barrels, which imparts banana and tropical fruits, but with enough acidity to balance
Arun’s Indian Kitchen might be the first that buttery mouthfeel and more body. Chablis (not California the equation.
Indian food I had in quite a while, but it Chablis, a complete misnomer and oxymoron) also from Margaret River Chards. This area in western Australia is
wouldn’t be the last. Having an expert at Burgundy, is unoaked and far more acidic. Many drinkers making some of my favorite Chards. Leeuwin, Cape Mentelle
our table was a great incentive for us to mistaken Chablis for a Sauvignon Blanc. As a matter of fact, and Vasse Felix are fabulous producers to seek out.
explore more of this cuisine and a huge Chablis and Sancerre, a Sauvignon Blanc, are often referred I could go on, but I won’t. Remember, all you ABCers,
help in grading Arun’s quality. Hungry C to as “climate and soil twins.” They both have a similar taste Chardonnay is made in different styles. It’s the chicken of
counted a solid three golden Taj Mahals for profile but come from slightly different areas of France. the wine world. Whatever your taste preference, you can find
our eating adventure to India. California–Chards from California are also made in a Chard that you like. Enjoy!
different styles, from the heavily oaked buttery versions
What You Should Know About Your Breast Health

With October serving as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, should have a clinical breast exam at least once every
West Boca Medical Center is encouraging women to three years. Beginning at age 40, they should have a
take control of their health and schedule their screening clinical breast exam and screening mammogram every
mammograms. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death year. Women at high risk for developing breast cancer
in American women. One in eight women will develop should have an MRI screening in addition to their yearly
the disease at some point in her life. However, when mammogram.
breast cancer is detected early – often through the help of
screening mammograms - it’s one of the most treatable The best time to do a breast self-exam is on a monthly
forms of cancer. basis, usually about three to five days after the end of your
period. If you do not have a period, try to remember to do
Breast changes due to age, hormone levels and medications the exam on the same day every month.
are quite common. A woman’s breasts can change during
the course of her menstrual cycle, throughout pregnancy, If you notice any of the following changes during a breast
while breastfeeding and in menopause. Although most self-exam, you may want to visit your doctor:
changes are not serious, if you have concerns, you should • Dimples, puckers, ridges or bulges of skin on the breast
check with your doctor. • A nipple that turns in rather than sticks out
• Skin that itches or has scales, sores or rashes
The most common symptom of breast cancer is a lump • Discharge from the nipple, other than breast milk
or mass in the breast. Lumps can occur even when breast • Pain, redness, swelling or warmth
cancer is not present. They may be due to fibrocystic • Any change in the color, shape, size or texture of the
changes in the breast tissue, and most turn out to be benign breast
and non-life-threatening. The majority of times, lumps
in the breast turn out to be benign, either cysts, normal The Breast Center at West Boca Diagnostic Imaging
tissue that may be hormonally affected if the woman is is proud to offer advanced 3-D mammography (breast
still menstruating, or they can be benign growths, such tomosynthesis) designed for more accurate breast cancer
as fibroadenomas. screening. 3-D mammography allows the radiologist to
examine breast tissue one layer at a time, making fine
West Boca Medical Center encourages women to perform details more visible because they are no longer hidden
breast self-exams, which can aid in the detection of cancer. by tissue. 3-D mammography is an innovative new
They can be performed while looking in a mirror and when screening and diagnostic tool designed for early breast
in the shower or lying down. Self breast exams are useful, cancer detection that can be done in conjunction with
because a woman can check her breasts for changes. The a traditional 2-D digital mammogram. During the 3-D Our medical professionals use a multidisciplinary
benefit of a self breast exam is a woman can detect subtle part of the exam, the X-ray arm sweeps in a slight arc approach to provide patients with the best care possible.
changes that a health care provider may not. A woman over your breast, taking multiple breast images. Then, a The Breast Center has earned the designation as a

should be familiar with the feel of the tissue of her breasts. computer produces a 3-D image of your breast tissue in one Breast Imaging Center of Excellence from the American
Additionally, if the finding does turn out to be a cancer, it millimeter slices, providing visibility for the radiologist to College of Radiology. Located at 7070 West Palmetto
may be detected at an earlier stage. see breast detail in a way never before possible. They can Park Road in Boca Raton, the center is committed to
scroll through images of your entire breast like pages of creating individualized plans for every patient. Our patient
Women should start performing self-exams in their a book. The additional 3-D images make it possible for navigator will walk you through the steps you need to
20s, but they are not a substitute for regular screening a radiologist to gain a better understanding of your breast take to get the care you need. For more information, or to
mammograms or clinical breast exams. According to the tissue during screening and the confidence to reduce the schedule your mammogram, call 561-417-7920.
American Cancer Society, women in their 20s and 30s need for follow-up imaging.
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