Some Whites

Looking at some whites, mainly Chardonnays.

It is also good to learn some French through wine bottles.
For example, ‘Moelleux’ means ‘Sweet’, so if you don’t like sweet wine, then keep an eye out for this word. I discovered this to my displeasure when buying one, such as the Terasses D’Auton, Cotes de Bergerac.
I think that a lot of the white Cotes de Bergerac are ‘Moelleux’, so something to look out for.

1: Terasses D’Auton

• Cotes de Bergerac 2016
• €3.39 from E.Leclerc

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Comments

Mellow taste, sweet but not sharp. Eminently quaffable.

Duncan

Sweet, smooth. Vanilla tones, sugary.

Fiona

Bouquet: Nice smell.
Taste: Quite sweet. Too sweet for me. Good for desserts.

Paul (me)

2: Pays D’Oc Pierre Chanau

• Chardonnay 2016
• €2.99 from Auchan

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Comments

Rather dry

Duncan

Bouquet: Smells perfumed.

Taste: Sour, oily

Fiona

Bouquet and taste: Sour

Paul

3: Pennautier

• Chardonnay 2016
• €4.80 from La Cave de Monsieur Guy

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Comments

Pleasantly fruity, taste lingers nicely, with a slightly tart quality.

Duncan

Bouquet: Faint, subtle.

Taste: Smooth, gooseberry taste, soft. Nice aftertaste (Fiona asked, is it more expensive than 1st one (Yes)).

Fiona

Bouquet: Not too much of an aroma, but what there is, is nice, subtle and floral.

Taste: Nice taste, quite smooth

Paul

4: Dommaine de la Baume

• Chardonnay 2016
• €7.60 from La Cave de Monsieur Guy

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Comments

Smooth, light taste

Duncan

Bouquet: Faint, a little tannin.

Taste: Perfumed, soft mellow flowery

Fiona

 Bouquet: Nice fragrant aroma.

Taste: Quite fruity, a bit sweet

Paul

5: Maison Louis Latour Borgogne

• Chardonnay 2016
• €9.50 from E.Leclerc

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Dry, pleasing apple tones, tart finish

Duncan

Bouquet: Faint

Taste: Slightly tannin taste, sharp, dry.
indistinguishable, but gets better as you drink more.
Well rounded.

Fiona

Bouquet: Nice subtle smell.

Taste: Nice, and quite dry.

Paul

Review of comments

Some people are more OK with sweeter wine that I am. Duncan quite liked the ‘Moelleux’ that I bought in error.
So don’t forget folks, Moelleux is sweet in French. Personally I will keep a look out for this and not buy Moelleux again.

A note about ‘Pierre Chanau’. This seems to be Auchan’s own brand. The name ‘Chanau’ is an anagram of Auchan. As I buy a lot from Auchan, I have bought a lot with this label. Some have been very good. But in this case, their cheap Chardonnay (lowest price of all wines reviewed here) was not liked by anyone.
(Note: apologies for no decent photos of the bottle).

It is definitely worth spending a bit more money.
However, there was not much of a preference between the Pennautier at €4.80, the Dommaine de la Baume at €7.60, and the Maison Louis Latour Borgogne at €9.50. All were liked.
So don’t be a total cheapskate, but no need to worry about not spending over the odds.