Fuck, I love Chardonnay.
Are you a big fan of Chardonnay but at a loss for what to drink from the Iberian peninsula? Well, never fear. Bomb Vinho is here!
Are you a big Chardy fan but feel a little stuck when looking to get experimental outside of Chablis?
Well, here is a quick list to get you in the know of what Iberia has to offer!
So what do we like about our Chardonnay?
It’s got a big bold body with a soft mouthfeel, moderate acidity, juicy, fruity character.
And with bit of barrel sometimes these big buttery notes or even crisp complex minerality.
So, how about a nice Godello?
I love this grape. Produced in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain, with the the best being from the region of Valdeorras.
Its often soft herby and floral with a nice rounded, chewy body and a bit of a smoky mineral thing going on. Great notes of citrus and quince, too.
Ooh Arinto is pretty good, as well!
Grown on the Portuguese Coast, this wine is a little more mineral and fresh but with a bit of ageing, as is common in the Bucelas subregion, it gets rich and textured, with honey notes, citrus and an almost nutty character.
Garnacha Blanca should be on the list, also.
Especially in the Terra Alta region of Catalunya.
These wines are elegant and complex, with a clean acidity like apple or pear and these biscuity notes that are backed with a stoney minerality. It’s some banging stuff!
And from the hot plains of Alentejo, Antão Vaz deserves a mention, too.
With a bit of barrel these wines tend to be packed with tropical fruit but with this long, complex finish. Its special stuff and pretty iconic in this southern Portuguese region.
Chardonnay is wicked. That’s why it is popular all around the world. Next time you’re on the hunt for something interesting, keep these little Iberian numbers in mind!
Nice to see a big up for Antão Vaz. A really underrated variety.