I will admit to liking what nowadays seems to be referred to as 'old style Chardonnay' (pleasant oak, good fruit flavour and a buttery mouth feel). The last two times I have been out at restaurants and had a bottle of Chardonnay that I really enjoyed my internet searching revealed that the wine was not available at retail outlets or from the producer.
Does anyone else share my fondness for old style chardonnay? If so, what do you enjoy drinking that is readily available at the usual outlets?
The search function works really well here (I honestly don't know how Gavin manages to trawl through all the old posts and list the results in under a second, but he does every time).
Thank you Michael for the link (and links within the link). It made for some good reading. Just depends on whether those wineries are still producing the same style.
I am heartened to know that my husband and I are not the only ones who still want this old style of Chardonnay.
The wine I enjoyed two weeks ago at a wedding reception (we grabbed a bottle and wrote the details down) was Mancini Chardonnay Vignerons Selection Yeringa Estate Willbriggie NSW. My internet search gave me no joy. I think they must sell it direct to restaurants etc.
julsa wrote:The wine I enjoyed two weeks ago at a wedding reception (we grabbed a bottle and wrote the details down) was Mancini Chardonnay Vignerons Selection Yeringa Estate Willbriggie NSW. My internet search gave me no joy. I think they must sell it direct to restaurants etc.
Old style Chardonnay I remember was big oak, exaggerated malo character which tasted great for about six months after release then fell over immediately thereafter. Are you after the pre-fall over version or the post fall over version?
Warmer regions, like South Australian (excluding Adelaide Hills), Hunter Valley, etc are probably the best bets as they would struggle to make a 'modern' style high acid chardonnay. Exceptions apply as always.....