Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a bit of a 'Marmite' grape - people tend either to love it or hate it - but this most widely grown white grape variety is starting to become trendy again in the UK as people tire of too much Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Read more about the Chardonnay grape variety and see my range of Chardonnays below.
Quality has improved in the last ten years, today's more elegant, fresher Chardonnays, whether oaked or not, are worth investigating. Find your style - I've narrowed it down to three - and give Chardonnay a chance!
Quality has improved in the last ten years, today's more elegant, fresher Chardonnays, whether oaked or not, are worth investigating. Find your style - I've narrowed it down to three - and give Chardonnay a chance!
- Unoaked Chardonnay such as Chablis (usually - beware a few are oaked) is lean, crisp and dry, lighter in colour and in body, with flavours of green apple, lemon, white flowers and flint or steel (think wet stones). It matches well with fish dishes and seafood including oysters.
- Oaked Chardonnay is more full-bodied, creamy with complex bready & nutty aromas; it will age further in bottle, the better wines for up to 10 years. It pairs well with richer foods like foie gras, lobster and scallops, and creamy dishes
- Fruity Chardonnay was the style of early New World Chardonnays and is produced in warmer climates. It is a bigger, more tropical fruit style of wine with pineapple, mango, ripe yellow apples and ripe peach. This style will cope with richer, creamy dishes even mild curries
- There is of course a fourth style that we should not ignore, sparkling rather than still Chardonnay and Champagne!
GIFT ~ Domaine Billaud-Simon ~ Chablis Premier Cru AOC Les Vaillons 2013
£27.90 / bottle
incl. P & P
GIFT ~ Domaine Thibert ~ Pouilly Vinzelles AOC Les Longeays 2011
£25.50 / bottle
incl. P & P
GIFT ~ De Castellane ~ Croix Rouge Saint André Brut Non-Vintage Champagne
£34.00 / bottle
incl. P & P
GIFT ~ Lyme Bay ~ Classic Cuvée Vintage English Sparkling Wine 2013
£33.00 / bottle
incl. P & P
