Louis Jadot – Macon-Villages Chardonnay

Anyone who has shopped their local grocery store has seen Louis Jadot.  With wines in a variety of price ranges, it imports one of the largest amounts of French wine into America.  The labels all look similar, only the individual appellations determine quality and price.

Americans aren’t used to looking for appellation.  To us, we see “Rioja,” and think that’s the flavor of wine.  But it isn’t.  A “Rioja” is a Spanish wine that comes from the Rioja region of Spain.  The last Rioja I drank was the grape varietal “Tempranillo.”

Basically, the appellation tells you where the wine was grown.  That’s really important in “Old World” wines.

And I love old world wines.  Especially French.

This one, an unoaked Chardonnay from the Macon-Villages region of France’s Burgundy country.  The nose is distinctly chardonnay and distinctly French.  There’s a heavy apple scent (which you can pick up on better since this wine didn’t age in oak).  Maybe a hint of citrus.  But it’s mostly granny smith apples – tart, crisp, and a smell that’s beautifully sour.

A funny side note – I don’t actually like to eat apples.  But wines that smell like a tart apple tend to be my favorites.  Go figure.

The color is light and there is no butteriness to the wine.  Again, a side effect of heavy oak barrels.

What I love about this bottle is the weight the wine retains despite the lack of oak.  There’s still a heaviness to the taste (young wine drinker beware).  There’s also a good overlay of mineral flavor to the wine – something I find comes from limestone rich soils. 

Let’s face it – the winemaker has been around since 1859.  Obviously, they know what they’re doing despite being a “regular” of the most common grocery store shelves.

I like this wine.  It has a nice nose, a heavy enough flavor to keep me interested, and it goes well with a variety of dishes – from basic baked chicken to complex salads filled with a variety of nuts, berries, and vegetables. 

It’s a spot on, affordable French white wine from Burgundy.  You can find it most places for around $12.