Pairing Chardonnay
Those who nail their ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) colours to the mast are entitled to their view, but, we promise you, there is more to this illustrious grape than meets the eye (or tongue?). For all the dubiously oaked Chardonnays in the world (and there may be many), there are an equal amount with seamless oak integration. And brilliant ones with no oak at all. For Chardonnay is the great chameleon of the viticultural world, possessing an ability to prosper in the best hands and grow in (almost) any climate like no other variety. It produces standout wines, but what does it pair with?
Chardonnay can be all things to all people. It is probably worth underlining that Chablis (at least at entry level) is the foremost expression of sleek, unoaked Chardonnay. The marginal temperatures of Northern France, and the local Kimmeridgian clays with their high marine fossil content, create an elegant, mineral-driven wine that is hard to surpass. Try our Domaine Alain Gautheron 2021 Chablis with a duck terrine and pickles – or oysters if one is pushing the boat out! Our in-house recommendation is with fish and chips, as the wet stone flavours of the wine are a perfect foil to the dish’s oiliness.
France may be the home of Chardonnay, but it enjoys a strong reputation in Piemonte, Northern Italy, where altitude and cool nights allow for a well-balanced style. For a vibrant, oak-free alternative to Chablis, try our Il Botolo 2021 Piemonte Chardonnay. Pair it with Caesar salad for an easy, no-fuss dinner. Alternatively, try with cod in parsley sauce, or pasta and cheese dishes.
We love the lighter styles, but, equally, we cannot get enough of fuller, classically styled Chardonnay. Our house pick has to be Long Barn 2021 Chardonnay from California. The sunshine state has long been a hotbed of quality big C, with Sonoma. It oozes flavours of tropical fruit and warm buttered bread. For a consummate pairing, try with roast pork shoulder cooked in a honey and mustard sauce. Barbecued dishes are also very much at home here.
Nothing quite lights the imagination like an exceptional white Burgundy, and here we have a region built on Chardonnay that can lay claim to producing the world’s greatest white wines. We recommend our own Domaine Sangouard-Guyot Pouilly-Fuissé 2021 'Terroirs' from the best sites in the Mâcon. About 30% of the wine is aged in oak, but the integration is so flawlessly seamless – and the wine so fresh – that you would hardly notice it. Pair with seared scallops or chalky cheeses for a delectable evening in.
