Olly’s Chardonnay choices
I recently attended the opening of the The Pig in the South Downs, a boutique wine shrine of a hotel complete with its own newly planted Sussex vineyard. Sipping Ridgeview’s Blanc de Blancs I was reminded of the piercing splendour of top-class Chardonnay. In the past, it was too often weighty and heavy on the oak, but these days it is trending towards a laser-like focus of light refreshment.
Olly’s pick of the Chardonnay bunch
Specially Selected Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2020 (13.5%), £5.99, Aldi. Great value. Delivers bright refreshment on the peachier side.
Grove Mill Chardonnay 2019 (13%), £9.75, The Wine Society. Superb to enjoy alongside fresh seafood, this bright Kiwi is a modern icon.
Finest Chablis 2020 (12.5%), £13, Tesco. Lemony freshness with a creamy texture. What a wine to unwind with!
Hidden Spring Chardonnay 2019 (11%), £20, hiddenspring.co.uk. A meteorite of a wine from East Sussex. Zesty, bright and memorably magical.
Wine of the Week
Macon Vergisson, Les Rochers, Domaine Guerrini & Fils 2020 (13.5%), £12.90, tannerswines.co.uk. A peach dressed up as a lemon – as good as white gets under £15.
This article was originally published in YOU Magazine, Mail on Sunday, 3rd Oct 2021 – Prices, stockists and vintages correct at time of publication.
