I think turkey gets a bad reputation, mostly cos it’s a big bird and it’s hard to cook properly. Ever since someone bought my mum “Nigella at Christmas” then we’ve been having a great time of it. It’s also an incredibly good meat for promoting the production of serotonin (the happy hormone), so one to look out for all year round if you can!
I know everyone has their own likes and dislikes when it comes to food pairing, so I’ll try to keep it as basic as possible. So that’s what I’m going to show around here. Three well made Chardonnays, but obviously slightly different prices!
Under A Tenner
Taste The Difference Chablis, £10.00 from Sainsbury’s
Yes that’s right boys and girls, Chablis is made from Chardonnay! There’s been a big change in the way UK supermarkets are doing things now, especially as Lidl and Aldi have really whipped the rug from under the so-called big four in the wine sector. But from running New Wine This Week, and official tastings days I’ve attended, I’ve been really impressed by Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference range. This Chablis is not a great wine in the realms of top wines, but it’s 100% a Chablis. It’s light, fresh, fruity, and minerally (I know that’s not a word!) and would grace any dinner table.
Money Is No Object
Le Montrachet Grand Cru 2009, Bouchard Père et Fils, £360 from Roberson Wines
Alright, maybe a few Americans might argue this point, but for me there is no better Chardonnay on the planet than the Grand Crus in Burgundy. Anyone who reckons that Chardonnay is boring can try a glass of this and then shut up! Some may say it’s a bit too good to have with anything other than peace and quiet and reflective solitude in a dark room somewhere, but bollocks to that. Your best bottles are opened with your best mates and family at the best occasions. I talk a lot about “deathbed wines”, i.e. wines you’ll remember in your last few moments on earth. This will be one of them!
The Wildcard
Flametree Chardonnay 2009, Margaret River, £20.00 from AusWine Online
I’ve been going down to the Wine Australia tastings in London over the past few months, and been blown away by the quality of Aussie Chardonnay. As a Brit, it’s really hard to get my head around how big Australia is. With all the changing landscapes and weather patterns as you move around, there is no such thing as a typical Aussie Chardonnay. For me though, this one from the western region of Margaret River fits the bill perfectly.
