Monday, April 1, 2013

Bodega Elena De Mendoza 2010 Chardonnay, Argentina


Chardonnay from Argentina? That’s right. Although the South American country and Malbec are inseparably linked, there are some darn good whites coming from Argentina as well. The whites share at least one thing in common  with the better known reds – great value.
This Chardonnay was a gift from friends who picked it up at Trader Joe’s at a crazy low price. I’m not sure what they paid, but you should be able to pick up this wine for under $9.
The Elena de Mendoza Chard has slight oakiness, which is good for me and endurable for Green Dragon, who is anti-oak. It is yellow with copper highlights in the glass. The wine has pear and apple flavors and a hint of maple sweetness, which gives it a different flavor profile than a typical California Chard.
A crisp acidity gives it a little snap and there is a short but pleasing finish. This would match very well with salad or chicken.
Bodega Elena de Mendoza traces their heritage to the 19th century and their matriarch Elena Napoli, who immigrated from Italy to Argentina. Elena grew up in a cocina (Argentine kitchen) and so their portfolio of wines (Malbec, Chardonnay and a red blend) and designed to work well with food.
For Chard lovers this is a quality every-day sipper. It isn’t a symphony of complexity, but it provides an enjoyable glass of refreshment for a song.
Rating: 2.5 of 5  Value: 3.5 of 5
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