Chardonnay: A Wild Wines Journey
Gone are the days of that shady mantra "ABC" (Anything But Chardonnay). It's time to embrace the diversity and charm of this noble grape as we embark on an enjoyable Wild Wines journey comparing four Chardonnays from different corners of the World. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride!
First stop: Les Athletes Du Vin and the enchanting Loire Valley, France. Picture yourself strolling through vineyards with castles in the backdrop. This is one of the top-selling Chardonnays from the Loire. It's perfect for everyday yet comparable to a more expensive white Burgundy. An unoaked Chardonnay with classic Loire flavours of green melon, pears, and boatloads of minerality with a similar acidity found in many a Mâcon Chardonnay. With its distinctive "sporty" labels designed by Michel Tolmer, Les Athletes du Vin is a wild creation from a group of Loire Valley winemaking friends who call themselves "Vini Be Good" and continue to grow quite the cult following.
Next, we jet off to Napa, California, where Chardonnay reigns supreme. This golden west coast nectar from Cartlidge & Browne boasts a luscious and creamy texture, embracing you like the warm California sunshine. Cartlidge & Browne's unusual blend of Chardonnay 96%, Sauvignon Blanc 2%, and Riesling 2% likens a Burgundian style with its elegant mineral complexity. The aromas of green apples and honeysuckle lead to flavours of pear, melon and light citrus with oak tones of sweet caramel and hazelnut. Cartlidge & Browne is known for their varietally pure Californian wines while sticking to their Napa Valley 'garagiste' (Napa Valley OG) roots.
Hold on tight because our wine adventure takes us to Château Ka in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon with a unique blend of the archetypal varietals of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, giving you the best of both worlds. While this blend has a touch more Sauvignon Blanc, the Chardonnay adds a beautiful roundness and length. Imagine tasting a wine that reflects its Mediterranean roots, boasting floral aromas and exotic citrus flavours with a great depth from the Chardonnay. Lebanon boasts a 7,000-year history of winemaking, and at this moment, it is a really good time for Lebanese wine. Château Ka is the only winery in Lebanon to produce wine entirely from their own vineyards, producing beautifully fresh, fruity, crisp white wines that are some of the finest in the country.
Last but not least, we land in the beautiful Curicó Valley of Chile. Here, Chardonnay shows its versatility by flaunting a balance between freshness and richness. No es Pituko's natural wine is a roller coaster of flavours with strong aromas of banana, apple, pear and toasted brioche jumping from the glass. It is a full-bodied and rich Chardonnay, with a creamy and refreshing fruit acidity one would only expect from the cooling influences of the Andes.
So, let's toast the renaissance of the beloved Chardonnay grape. Whether it's the elegant Loire Valley, the lush Napa Valley, the exotic Bekaa Valley, or the vivacious Curicó Valley, don’t let anyone ever tell you again that they ‘don’t like Chardonnay’ as each Chardonnay tells a very different story.
