£15.99, Adnams
This lovely, willowy Chardonnay couldn’t be more Spring-like. With drifting floral, quince and cashew-nut aromas, supple smoothness and leafy, limey freshness, it'll put a smile on your face and a spring in your step.
Chardonnay probably isn’t the grape variety that immediately comes to mind when thinking of Loire wines, least of all 50km from the Atlantic in the Muscadet region from which La Nouvelle Lune comes. But in the right locations it does very well, especially when the vines are mature, as they are here at the Couillaud family's Domaine de la Morinière in Muscadet Sèvre et Maine.
The Couillaud brothers, Michel, François and Bernard, were the first to plant Chardonnay in Muscadet and the vines, facing south on a very rocky schist hill, are now 35 years old.
Amélie and Vincent, the second generation, are at the helm today and they continue to experiment and innovate, including with plantings of Viognier, Petit Manseng, Riesling and Sauvignon Gris.
They’re creative winemakers, too. La Nouvelle Lune Chardonnay is grown and made following the lunar calendar, sees no oak and is aged in an amphora for a year.
It makes a very good aperitif, but also comes into its own with salmon, white fish and shellfish, either plain or with buttery, creamy or egg-emulsion sauces, with chicken (roast or lemony), veal escalope, simple risotto, pasta with ricotta and courgette or broccoli, and with sweetcorn. 12%. Empty bottle weight: 686g.
Les Frères Couillard La Nouvelle Lune Chardonnay 2021, Val de Loire, France
£15.99, Adnams