Chardonnay Smaragd

Leo Alzinger's only foray into grapes other than Grüner Veltliner and Riesling is this Chardonnay which is no longer produced.

They grapes are harvested at the start of November, then gently pressed with all movement being under gravity. Fermentation is in stainless steel.

Serve 10-12°C on its own or with freshwater fish dishes, chicken or pork.

Tasted on 2 March 2017. Absolutely delicious. What Alzinger does with Chardonnay is amazing. This is a wine that brings back so much familiarity but also so much difference. You know what the grape is but it is so hard to place as this is refined and elegant and brings out flavour characteristics that most other Chardonnays do not. Even once you realise what the grape is it continues to delight. The minerality is exquisite and may be the reason that Alzinger has replaced the Chardonnay vines with the more profitable Riesling and Grüner Veltliner vines so that they can take on the qualities of the terroir.

Once this is sold there is no more to be had, so grab it while you can.