A PDF document on the history of Rioja

Wow! So the "New World" were not the only ones to use French geographic regions as descriptors - Sauternes, Burgundy, Champagne etc.

Very interesting.

"st.helier" wrote in news:m62ct0$6mu$1 @news.datemas.de:

Seems so!

s.

Interesting. So when we see a spanish chardonnay its not a new gimmick, because they did chablis wines in the beginning.

Michael Nielsen wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@googlegroups.com:

There are some interesting Chardonnays from Spain, I do not think any of them is really a world class wine.

One that I like, and is quite affordable is Castillo de Monjard?n Chardonnay, and his brother "Chardonnay Fermentado en Barrica". Both are well made, display Chardonnay character and drink very well for as little as 8-12 euros respectively.

Also from Navarra, Bodegas Juli?n Chivite make an entry level wine under the brand Gran Feudo (which is decent) and another one called "Chivite Colecci?n" which is better but overpriced (at a price where you start finding good Burgundy).

In Catalu?a, Torres was a pioneer in using foreign grapes, and they make a very decent barrel fermented Chardonnay under the name Gran Vi?a Sol, a bit in a new world style.

Their top line, also a barrel fermented Chardonnay from the Milmanda vineyard, is a very good wine, but -as was the case with Juli?n Chivite- also too expensive for the intrinsic quality of the wine in my palate.

s.

Its this one I've been pondering to get.