A Veneto, Italy Chardonnay

A Veneto, Italy Chardonnay

Can you get a decent Italian Chardonnay at this price?...

I recently tasted this producer’s similarly priced Merlot and wondered aloud how they could make such an inexpensive wine in such an expensive environment. Ditto for their Chardonnay. I don’t think that the wine is a loss leader for their Amarone, a special wine made only in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, which at almost $40 won’t be found in this column. Cesari was founded in 1935 and owns extensive vineyards on the shores of Lake Garda in Verona. This Shakespearean city is brimming with Medieval and Roman architecture including Italy’s third largest arena, still used for public events. The companion wine is an Israeli Chardonnay coming in at twice the price.

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Wine Reviewed
Cesari Chardonnay Delle Venezie 2011 12 % alcohol about $7.50.

In the absence of marketing materials let’s start by quoting the back label “This wine has been carefully vinified from Chardonnay grapes selected from around the Veneto region. It’s (sic) clear straw colour, fruity bouquet, full and well great accompaniment for many fish dishes.” And now for my review.

At the first sips this wine was pleasantly sweet but short. The initial meal focused on a barbecued chicken breast with a paprika dusted skin on which I squeezed a generous amount of fresh lime. The Chardonnay responded with its own lime and pleasant acidity. It was somewhat metallic. Steamed quinoa increased the liquid’s acidity and it kept giving me an agreeable metallic taste. But a barbecued chicken wing rendered Chardy’s acidity lightly sour. The side dish of steamed broccoli made the libation smoky with a touch of the ethereal.

This review of a Veneto, Italy Chardonnay continues on my web site at
http://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_vich.phphttp://theworldwidewine.com/Wine_reviews/Weekly_cheap_wine_reviews/Y2013/wine_lovers_bargain_review_vich.php