More Chardonnay: France, Spain, Chile.

Languedoc-wines.com/Limoux

Following on from my '50 years of Chardonnay' in Australia feature, five other gratuitous Chardies enjoyed recently include:

Le Stopgap Chardonnay 2021 Vin de France, Jacques Depagneux (13% abv): 'Much of the blend comes from Limoux with a little from the central Languedoc and essential dash from the Mâconnais...'

That's how the Wine Society describes a new Chardonnay creation to fill a gap in supply from France at a reasonable price from the challenging and deficient 2021 vintage (beyond the south at least although it wasn't plain sailing there either). The result of some smart regional interblending is a very enjoyable, fresh unoaked white with ripe citrus and white peach flavours, finishing with just a hint of buttery roundness and weight underlined by refreshing acidity. £8.50

Macon Villages 2020 Louis Jadot (13% abv): This old favourite has become rather expensive (like most white Burgundy), but occasionally you get a good deal at say Tesco (I did Clubcard price + 25% discount for any 6 bottles). Subtle style made in this vintage with ripe juicy fruit, rounded texture and fairly crisp finish. £12-£15 full price.

Updated June 2022: the 2021 Jadot Macon Villages has arrived. A tad lighter perhaps (12.5% abv) while enticingly creamy juicy and fruity with soft refreshing 'mineral' finish. Tasty approachable-now style from an apparently more troublesome vintage (several badly timed climate extremes to deal with right across the growing season).

Cabré & Sabaté Cava Reserva Chardonnay (goes to separate post): classy Catalan bubbly.

The Society's Chilean Limarí Chardonnay 2021 (13.5%): New vintage of this own-label made by Concha y Toro, it's quite elegant and lean despite a touch of weight on the palate, with fresh sunny citrus fruit and juicy zesty aftertaste. £7.50

And, inevitably perhaps, returning to Australia: this time the latest vintage 2021 of and new label (pic. above) for Aldi's consistently tasty unoaked Specially Selected Limestone Coast Chardonnay made by Taylor's Wines (aka Wakefield in South Australia). Despite its quite weighty 13.5% abv, this is rather easy to quaff with ripe juicy tropical fruit countered by zesty freshness. Good with Chinese takeaway (king prawn curry, spicy duck chow mein). Bargain as usual: €7.99 Aldi Ireland, £5.99 UK.

By the way, did you spot the 'keep your Chardy wood-free' theme?