Join Helena every Thursday with Mike Graham on talkRADIO for the Thursday Club! This week, Helena took us all on a tasting tour of the Chardonnay grape. Here’s what she tasted with Mike and where to find them:
Crisp & Chalky: Chablis
Chablis is a region in cool climate France, famous for a style of Chardonnay that is crisp and chalky - perfect with seafood. Chablis is not normally associated with oak (though at the loftier premier cru and grand cru levels, there is sometimes a little). We tried Irresistible Chablis, J.M. Brocard from the Co-op.
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Find here: £12.50.
Creamy & Fruity: Chile
If you like your Chardonnay with a whack of fruit and creamy, vanilla characteristics, then head to the New World: Chile, New Zealand or Australia in particular. These can be oaked or un-oaked. We tried Chardonnay, Montes Reserva, Curico Valley, Chile, 2020 from the Co-op.
ABV: 13.5%
Size: 750ml
Find here: £8
Blanc de Blancs Champagne
If your Champagne has ‘blanc de blancs’ written on it, it has to be 100% Chardonnay. Meaning ‘white from white’, it refers to white wine from white grapes, which in the Champagne region of France means it can only be Chardonnay. The other two grapes that can be used in Champagne are both black (red): Pinot Noir & Meunier. Champagne Delamotte is one of the most respected houses in the Champagne region. We tried Blanc de Blancs, Champagne Delamotte, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
ABV: 12.5%
Size: 750ml
Find here: £27.25 for a half bottle.
Have you tried Crémant? Made in the same way as Champagne but at a fraction of the price you can’t beat it! Check out our suggestions here.