A Wine Lover" s Week Review Of $10 Wines - A Chardonnay Signed Languedoc, France
By now our vacation is mostly memories and receipts and so it's time to return to wine reviews. Today's hopefully bargain offering is a Kosher Chardonnay from the Languedoc region of southwestern France. It was bottled by a major Kosher wine company, Royal Wine. This bottle carries the unprestigious Indication Geographique Protegee Pays d'Oc appellation. The companion wine is a Galilee, Israel Chardonnay at about half again the price.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price. Wine Reviewed
Royale Chardonnay Pays D'Oc IGP, 2010 12.5 % alcohol about $10
In the absence of marketing materials let me quote the winemaker Pierre Miodownick from the back label. " The warm Languedoc vineyard and rigorous control of its temperature during winemaking give this Chardonnay wine fine aromas and a long lingering finish. Serve chilled; this wine is perfect with fish, cheese, light meals or simply as an aperitif." And now for my review.
At the first sips this wine was slightly overacidic, presenting a tinge of sweetness and citrus. The initial meal centered on an omelet perked up with crushed chili peppers, sliced garlic, dried basil, and black pepper. The drink's acidity mellowed slightly. This wine was round. A delicious side of roasted eggplant brimming with garlic did not succeed in taming the libation's acidity. Slices of fresh tomato added some toast and some oak to my glass. In response to Swiss Dark Chocolate with Orange Flavor and Almonds Chardy responded with fine acidity and nothing else.
My next meal began with Japanese rice crackers that rendered the liquid applely but short. Its centerpiece was a Middle Eastern specialty kube, ground beef with local spices encased in jackets composed of ground semolina and ground bulgur. These delicious balls swum in a broth containing fresh lemon and organic kale. The wine's citrus met the broth's citrus and the result was very refreshing acidity. Interestingly enough the kale increased our Languedoc friend's sweetness. Upon adding Chinese chili sauce to the kube and the broth the wine sweetened and sharpened. Fresh pineapple for dessert gave our Chardonnay bold acidity but little fruit.
My final meal centered on a dry, oversalty barbecued chicken breast. The drink offered apples and good acidity but couldn't handle all that salt. It did get better over time, however problem persisted. (In fairness I don't expect any wine to deal with a surfeit of salt.) The side dish of okra in a crushed tomato and garlic sauce over quinoa gave the libation sharp acidity and a bit of fruit. Desserts were less successful. When paired with fruit juice candy Chardy almost disappeared. And I sensed not much of anything in my glass alongside fresh blueberries.
Final verdict. I will not buy this wine again. But if you need an inexpensive Kosher white you might consider it.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price. Wine Reviewed
Royale Chardonnay Pays D'Oc IGP, 2010 12.5 % alcohol about $10
In the absence of marketing materials let me quote the winemaker Pierre Miodownick from the back label. " The warm Languedoc vineyard and rigorous control of its temperature during winemaking give this Chardonnay wine fine aromas and a long lingering finish. Serve chilled; this wine is perfect with fish, cheese, light meals or simply as an aperitif." And now for my review.
At the first sips this wine was slightly overacidic, presenting a tinge of sweetness and citrus. The initial meal centered on an omelet perked up with crushed chili peppers, sliced garlic, dried basil, and black pepper. The drink's acidity mellowed slightly. This wine was round. A delicious side of roasted eggplant brimming with garlic did not succeed in taming the libation's acidity. Slices of fresh tomato added some toast and some oak to my glass. In response to Swiss Dark Chocolate with Orange Flavor and Almonds Chardy responded with fine acidity and nothing else.
My next meal began with Japanese rice crackers that rendered the liquid applely but short. Its centerpiece was a Middle Eastern specialty kube, ground beef with local spices encased in jackets composed of ground semolina and ground bulgur. These delicious balls swum in a broth containing fresh lemon and organic kale. The wine's citrus met the broth's citrus and the result was very refreshing acidity. Interestingly enough the kale increased our Languedoc friend's sweetness. Upon adding Chinese chili sauce to the kube and the broth the wine sweetened and sharpened. Fresh pineapple for dessert gave our Chardonnay bold acidity but little fruit.
My final meal centered on a dry, oversalty barbecued chicken breast. The drink offered apples and good acidity but couldn't handle all that salt. It did get better over time, however problem persisted. (In fairness I don't expect any wine to deal with a surfeit of salt.) The side dish of okra in a crushed tomato and garlic sauce over quinoa gave the libation sharp acidity and a bit of fruit. Desserts were less successful. When paired with fruit juice candy Chardy almost disappeared. And I sensed not much of anything in my glass alongside fresh blueberries.
Final verdict. I will not buy this wine again. But if you need an inexpensive Kosher white you might consider it.