Solera Wines « Wilson on Wines

Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022 Bernard Defaix

Posted by John Wilson on March 6, 2024

Vibrant pure crystalline green apples with a lovely stony mineral edge and a bone dry, slightly austere finish. Superior to many Chablis at around the same price – or more.

€29 from Wine Pair, Dublin 8; D-Six off licence, Dublin 6; Martins off licence, Dublin 3.

Bourgogne Chardonnay, like its red counterpart Bourgogne Pinot Noir, can offer great value for money. It all depends on who makes it and what part of Burgundy it comes from. Wines from the Mâconnais and other parts of southern Burgundy tend to be richer and more textured in style. Cooler regions in the north are generally crisp and mineral with racy green fruits.

Domaine Bernard Defaix produces some very fine complex Chablis from his own vineyards, which includes some premiers crus. He also buys in grapes from other growers. The Defaix Bourgogne Chardonnay is made from bought-in grapes, but it stood out as offering great value for money at a recent tasting in Dublin.

The Wines on Wednesday

Posted by John Wilson on February 28, 2024

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is one of the most popular Italian red wines, and amongst the cheapest in most Italian restaurants and supermarkets. Most of these are drinkable with soft easy fruits and no hard tannins. But spend a little more and you will find some very good wines. I tasted these three wines at a trade tasting earlier this week. All stood out as offering great value for money.

Lupi Reali Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022, Organic
€13.75

Light, juicy and so easy to drink with fresh black cherries and an attractive earthy touch. The perfect midweek wine and a steal at this price.

From Wines on the Green, Dawson St., celticwhiskeyshop.com; Nolans, Clontarf; McHughs, Kilbarrack & Malahide Road; O’ Driscolls off licence, Cahersiveen.

Valle Reale Montepulicano d’Abruzzo 2022, Organic
€22.50

Made by the same producer as the Lupi Reali above, this is a big step up. Concentrated dark cherry fruit, good acidity and some very well integrated tannins on the finish. This has real grip and styler.

From Wines on the Green, Dawson St, celticwhiskeyshop.com; Nolans, Clontarf; McHughs, Kilbarrack & Malahide Road; O’ Driscolls off licence, Cahersiveen.

Malandrino Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 Cataldi Madonna

From one of the finest producers in the region a seductive silky smooth wine packed with rich dark fruits and a lovely lingering finish.

From Avoca; Blackrock Cellar; Deveney’s Dundrum; Drink Store, Stoneybatter; McHugh’s off licences; Redmonds, Ranelagh; Sweeney’s, D3; The Corkscrew, D2; Thomas’s of Foxrock.

Tags: Cataldi Madonna, Lupi reali, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Solera Wines, Vale reale

Posted in: The Wine on Wednesday, Top Drop