KWV Chardonnay 2010

I always have white wine in my fridge, especially during summer. The sun sets here after 9pm at the moment, and it's not yet summer. So when it's as warm as it's been this last weekend, I like to relax and have a glas of white wine. My favourite at the moment is Chardonnay, and there's two I pick. The one is the KWV and the other is the Drostdy Hof, but more about the Drostdy Hof another time.

Tonight it was roast on the menu, with potatoes and spinach leaves. Usually a good meal for a red, but because of the fantastic weather, the heat, and the sun which seems to never go down up here in the north, the pick was the KWV Chardonnay.

It's not as yellow as you would expect, and the smell is not as strong, but the taste is unmistakably Chardonnay. A slightly wooded dry white wine, fresh and fruity with tropical and citrus flavours. It has to however be very cold.

69kr is a bargain if you ask me. Have a look at Systembolaget, nr.7055.

Van Loveren Chardonnay 2009

I was introduced to this wine here in Sweden by a very close friend. She always liked saying Van Love in hushed tones. And that I do. Love this wine. Chardonnay is for me usually a wine to have with food. Not this one so much. This is your typical, with friends on the grass, chatting and laughing, waiting for the sun to set, wine.

Fruity, lovely aromas and a lingering taste of citrus, smokey and nutty tones. You won't be disappointed. Van Loveren or if you wish Van Love.

Had a lot of Van Loveren wine in South Africa, but mostly reds. I was pleasantly surprised to learn they have come to Sweden.

See the wine online at Systembolaget

Best Chardonnay

If you can get your hands on this Chardonnay from Meerlust, then buy it. It is the best in my opinion by a long shot. Think very wooded, aged and powerful. I have never had it with food though, as I love enjoying it by itself, ice cold.

Systembolaget sells the Meerlust Rubicon, but I've not seen the Chardonnay in Sweden yet. If you have, please let me know. This bottle is from my collection in South Africa.

Pongrácz Brut

Wine tasting 5

If I buy Champagne, or more correctly, Sparkling wine here in Sweden, this is what I buy. It has a lot to do with the fact that it comes from South Africa, but more so with the fact that it's a really tasty well balanced sparkling wine, with just the right amount of bubbles. We had this with strawberries out in the garden as it's a brut and very dry and the strawberries compliment it really well. Serve nice and chilled.

Panel's rating: 3,47 out of 5




Country: South Africa - Berg Kelder
Grape: 37% Chardonnay and 63% Pinot Noir
Price: 109 SEK

Colour: Light yellow colour.

Nose: Youthful, fruity fragrance with little bread smell, elements of apples and nougat.

Taste: Dry, slightly roasted flavor with hints of apples, nougat and grapefruit.

Inzolia Chardonnay (2007)

Wine tasting 3

Here's a wine that uses clever marketing to sell itself. There's two words on the label, "Inzolia" and "Chardonnay". Most people don't know what Inzolia means and assumes this is a Chardonnay, which it isn't. There's only 25% Chardonnay in here, the rest or 75% is Inzolia, which is also a grape variety. This wine is not worth it. Rather drink water.

Panel's rating: 8.12 out of 20

Price: 67SEK
Country: Italy (Sicilia)
Grape: 75% Inzolia, 25% Chardonnay

Colour: Light yellow color

Nose: Youthful, fruity aroma with hints of pear, peach and melon. Youthful, fruity aroma with hints of mango, peach and melon.

Taste: Dry, very fruity taste with hints of peach, melon and grapefruit. Fine acidity and length. Dry, very fruity taste with hints of mango, peach and grapefruit.

Lindemans Chardonnay Bin 65 (2007)

Wine tasting 1

This was a good wine to start with. Most guessed correctly that it was a Chardonnay. When tasted, most agreed it was very full in the mouth and very smooth. Personally I prefer a Chardonnay with a lot more attitude and a longer after taste.

Panel's rating: 3,4 out of 5

Price: 59SEK
Country: Australia
Grape: Chardonnay

Colour: Straw | Gold, clear-yellow | Light golden yellow | Clear golden yellow.

Nose: Pineapple | Citrus with a little raisin | Fruity - pineapple with melon| Smells like butter and citrus | Very fresh and not so strong | Aromatic and fruity but a little sour.

Taste: Smokey | A little alcohol intensive with the taste of citrus | Buttery and spicy | Spice, Sweet and a bit anonymous | A bit acidic but mellow |Fruity yet sharp and a bit volatile.