Real Compania De Vinos Verdejo 2011

Grape:        Verdejo
Price:           £4.99 - £6.50
Store:          Majestic Wines
Country:      Spain
ABV:             13%

Paying attention to the wine I drink, I have started to build up a mental map of regions and countries that churn out great tasting wine and the grape varieties they use.  A surprising discovery is the extensive range of red and white grapes native to Spain that previously, I had no idea existed.  My early ignorance saw Spain as 3 or 4 grape varieties, such as Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura (Macabeo) and to be fair, wine from these grapes do cover a lot of shelf space in supermarkets.  After very little effort, however, I have found and tasted great varieties such as Godello, Monastrell, Mencia and Parellada all of which are easy to come by.  I know I have only scratched the surface too but before you berate me too harshly, I have a question for you.  What is Spain’s most widely planted grape?  I’ll give you a clue, it’s white. 

While you mull that over, have a look at this week's wine, which is yet another amazing Spanish varietal, Verdejo.  Verdejo is almost entirely exclusive to Spain where the Rueda region is reported to create the most notable wines.  Due to the heat of the Spanish sun, grapes separated from the vine are susceptible to oxidisation or browning, much like an apple which has been bitten into and left to one side, and so the harvesting will often take place during the night where the temperatures are lower, preserving all those lovely flavours.

On the nose is immediate fruit with likenesses of gooseberry and pear, although tropical fruits are evident.  Also detectable is a grassy, herb element which gives the smell an inviting crispness.  Upon taste, the first attack goes to fruit with mango being prevalent but a citrus presence quickly takes over and leads into the aftertaste with what the makers describe as, "...its peculiar pleasant slightly bitter finish."  I would agree wholeheartedly.  The structure feels medium bodied and dry but the balance of fruit and herbal influences delivers a soft texture which makes this an easy drink to work through without food.  The slightly bitter finish is not at all unpleasant and provides a refreshing hit.  Anyone who drinks tonic water will understand what I am trying to get at.

Spain’s most widely planted variety is called Airen however, you may find it difficult to get hold of a bottle as it is mainly used to support production of other alcoholic beverages before being one itself.  Don't worry, there are plenty more to choose from and if like me, you owe Spain an apology, you can make it up to them by trying this bottle first. 

Majestic have numerous stores throughout the UK and have extended their reach into France.  

Offering a home delivery service also, Majestic can be found at www.majestic.co.uk

Hay Station Ranch Chardonnay 2011

Grape:   Chardonnay

Price:      £6

Store:     M&S

Country: California

ABV:       12.5%

As far as hazards in wine go, coming across a duff bottle is pretty much as bad as it gets.  Not what you would call disastrous or a significant risk to health, still, it is slightly annoying when you have just settled after a hard day's work to find the wine is corked, or it is in fact something you just simply don't like.  Fortunately, nearly all places you buy wine from will gladly give you a replacement for any defect with a wine, provided you don't persevere through three quarters of the bottle before making this decision.  Being stuck with a wine you simply don't like though is more dangerous because you will look at the label and make a mental note not to buy it again.  Even worse, you might decide not to buy that grape variety again.

Chardonnay is one of the world's most versatile grape varieties and responds positively to nearly every wine making process, from oak ageing and natural fermentation to dessert wines and carbonation.  It is suggested this is because the grape itself is fairly neutral in taste and so the changes in where it is grown and how it is made, can be detected in the tasting.  Chardonnay can be grown in both warm and cooler climates, in fact, every wine producing country has a yield of this grape in one form or other.  It is grown in the UK where it contributes to a growing reputation of world class sparkling wines and is of course a staple of the Champagne region in France as well as Chablis, Burgundy, Languedoc to name but a few of the larger regions.  The cool climate helps the grape to create clear, crisp wines with high acidity, citrus and sometimes mineral notes.  Warmer climates including Australia, New Zealand, Chile and America help to develop softer tastes more akin to tropical fruit and honey.  

This week's choice delivers a middleweight aroma of apricots with a zesty citrus outline.  The taste matches beautifully, delivering first the acidic citrus notes with peach and apricot supporting quietly from behind.  As the taste develops, tangy grapefruit and mild mineral help this medium bodied Chardonnay towards a short but palate-cleansing aftertaste which also sees a surprising return of some residual sweetness.

The previous popularity of Chardonnay has caused the reputation to suffer as mass production to meet demand inevitably lowered the quality of the taste and also people's opinion of the wine.  Despite this, the wine is still one of the most widespread and for good reason too.  The variations in terrior and production mean you could drink a glass of Chardonnay everyday for ten years and still not have the same one twice.  Don't let a poor representation of a wine put you off a grape variety as I guarantee you will miss out.

M&S have numerous stores throughout the UK as well as 300 stores worldwide.  They can also be found at www.marksandspencer.com.