Chandon, Brut Sparkling Wine NV
We have seen the occasional South American sparkling wine on UK shelves in the past, but these have tended to be inexpensive, party wines. Now, this high quality traditional method wine has arrived in Majestic, made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at Moet et Chandon’s Argentine outpost. At its list price of almost 20 it would be tough to recommend it – not that it is not good, just that at 20 there’s a lot of competition. But at the offer price it really is a bargain, with lots of toast, nuttiness and honey from long ageing on the lees, really ripe Chardonnay fruit of baked apple pie and lemon, and a palate that is delightfully dry and refined. It has plenty of fruit and flavour edging into the tropical, but it finishes with terrifically crisp acidity, a racy mousse, and a long, elegantly tapering finish. A very good buy reduced from its normal £19.49 at Majestic, down to £12.99 from July 1 – August 4, 2014.
