With its ‘Classics’ range M&S set out to produce wines which are the epitome of a grape, blend or region. I like this idea very much; at wine tastings – especially blind ones – I don’t really want quirky surprises. At a blind tasting before lockdown I had several ‘atypical’ wines and got them wrong. However I did get the Californian Chardonnay right! I have travelled the length of the State tasting wine: I really like Californian wines – they are distinctly New World, often oaked, and often have had malolactic fermentation. This wine is unmistakably Californian Chardonnay and at £8 is good value and far better than any other Californian Chardonnays at this price.

Tasting notes: Its appearance is straw colour. Citrus & stone fruit notes on the nose. Secondary notes of vanilla and buttered toast. Well balanced. Medium finish. A little minerality gives it some intensity and complexity on the palate. Short to medium finish.

Region of Origin – Sacramento Valley, California.
Wine Colour – White
Price – £8
Where do I get it from? Marks & Spencer
Current Vintage – 2019
Grape – Chardonnay
Country – USA

Verdict – Good wine for a good price

Food Pairings: This would work well with salads, chicken and fish dishes. We had it with smoked trout and it worked very well.