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- Published: 26 October 2012 26 October 2012
Chardonnay seems to get a bad name among many regular quaffers and the only reason I can think of is that they are buying very lousy stuff. I've just opened this bottle and as it has opened up it has reached out, lifting the spirits of my be-lipped entry point.

Bad chardonnay has a tendency to taste acrid with poor over-oakiness that's almost musty. Good chardonnay can be luxurious with delicate fruits that titillate and tease and keep the arm steering the hand back to the mouth. There is a hint of oak in this Chilean number. It is balanced with soft white fruits which I really like. I've been sipping for a while now and am certainly not bored and not in a mind to be negative. For around £12.99 I think this delivers good quality and amplified richness for a chilled night in with Nicola Benedetti playing her Stradivarius violin in the background, providing light but not overbearing entertainment. Maybe her performance of Bruch's Violin Concerto, as she played at the Last Night of the Proms, would be the perfect music and wine pairing.
The wine has good character and can/should be bought in the UK from BBR.com, Leamigton Wine Company and Dickens House Wine Emporium.
Sip sip!
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