The wine: Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay, 2010
Where’s it from? South Africa
Where to buy it: Majestic Wine
What it will set you back: £10.99 if you buy 2 or more
How boozy is it? 14.5%

Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay

Ah, spring. A time when in London, people start to wear their sunglasses, resolutely dine al fresco in their biggest jackets pretending not to shiver, and some of our more lunatic citizens (the Aussies) break out the shorts and flip-flops. For wine fans, it also means that we’re ditching the big, boozy reds that we can drink on the sofa under the duvet and starting to think about switching to lovely, crisp white wines.

This Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2010 is an amazing value white wine and perfect for the more summery weather that I’m hoping is just around the corner! Chardonnay has a bit of an untrendy reputation but this is a great one to try if you’re generally a fan of dry white wines in the Pinot Grigio or Sauvy Blanc style. Although it’s from the warmer climate of the new world, it’s about as far away from the big, oaky style Chardonnays of the 1980s as it’s possible to get.

Photographed in the warmth of my kitchen - the Rustenberg Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2010

It’s a very fresh, zingy wine which is brilliant served chilled with seafood, barbecued meats that you’ve had to do under the grill as it’s blowing a gale outside, and those summery salads that you’re starting to wish were a warming shepherd’s pie. This wine is balanced, reasonably priced and at 14.5% alcohol, will ensure you have a warm, rosy glow even if it’s only 8 degrees out in your garden.

Enjoy the season, and thanks for reading -

LWG