New Zealand is associated (in my mind at least) chiefly with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This chardonnay is from the warmer North Island. At £9 a bottle I’m beginning to have expectations of a wine – and one of my aims is to factor in an element of ‘value for money’ to a wine’s score. This was ‘fine’. Not fine – as in ‘fine wine’ – which always reminds me of Withnail & I. Or ‘FINE!’ – the response I often receive to the question ‘Hi, how are you?’ Which I have learnt actually means ‘I’m absolutely livid and liable to punch you in the throat’. It was just ‘fine’. Faint praise again…

Tasting notes: Notes of citrus and stone fruits.

Wine Colour – White
Price – £9
Where do I get it from? Sainsburys
Current Vintage – 2016
Producer – Villa Maria
Grape – 100% Chardonnay
Region/Country – East Coast/New Zealand
Points – 87

Food Pairing: This would go well with the usual white meats, grilled meats and summer salads.