The return of 2009 Wild Ferment Chardonnay (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

The return of 2009 Wild Ferment Chardonnay

4:38pm Tuesday 22nd March 2011 in Tipping's Tipples By Mike Tipping

It’s high scores all-round for the three wines selected this week. Two are brand new additions to the shelves at Majestic, from the sunny south of France. Plus an old Tipping’s Tipples favourite makes a welcome return to form.

I suggested a pair malbecs last week, from Argentina: the grape has become synonymous with the country. It’s a French varietal by origin though, and to this day the dominant grape in Cahors.

Now Languedoc based outfit, Domaines Paul Mas, has released a single vineyard example of the grape. It’s impressive too, pitching between Old and New World in style and at a very reasonable price.

The purple-hued Paul Mas Estate Gardeniel Vineyard Malbec 2009 touts ripe blackberry, plums, violet and liquorice, all held together by some mouth-filling tannins and a lick of acidity that will help it work really well with your next, er, dare I say it, barbecue.

Pinot Blanc is sometimes dismissed by winemakers as a second rate chardonnay. I think it’s better than that. If you want proof, try Mas des Mas Zucco Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2010, also from the Paul Mas stable. Creamy in the mouth and quite concentrated, it has Granny Smith apples on the nose with pear, tropical fruit and mineral notes.

Top marks also go to Chilean winery Errazuriz and its 2009 Wild Ferment Chardonnay. This used to be one of my favourite whites, especially with roast chicken. Delightfully fresh, the 2009 vintage has just the right amount of oak influence. It is laden with tropical, stonefruit, satsuma, coconut and vanilla flavours.

Since including my wine pun song title top five last week, my Twitter feed has gone in to hyperdrive. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I can report that, a number of people have come up with their own suggestions. Here is another five to complete the top ten:

• All Along The Black Tower - Jimi Hendrix.
• Autumn Armagnac - The Kinks.
• Every Little Thing She Does Is Malbec – The Police.
• Vouvray-Vous Couchez Avec Moi – Lady Marmalade.
• (I Chianti Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones.

I promise that is the end of the puns now unless, of course, you can think of some better ones? Tweet them to @TippingsTipples if you can, using the hashtag #winesongstop10 preferably.

Paul Mas Estate Gardeniel Vineyard Malbec 2009, £6.49 each when you buy two at Majestic 18/20.

Mas des Mas Zucco Vineyard Pinot Blanc 2010, £7.99 each when you buy two at Majestic 18/20.

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2009, £10.99 at Majestic and The Co-operative 18/20.