De Muller Chardonnay 2024

De Muller is one of Catalonia's most historic wineries, founded in Reus, Tarragona, in 1851 by the Alsatians Augusto De Müller and Ruinart de Brimont, and later the first winery in the world named a Pontifical Supplier to the Holy See. This Chardonnay is grown in the D.O. Tarragona, a warm Mediterranean zone tempered by the sea, which ripens the grape fully and gives its generous stone and tropical fruit. The wine is barrel fermented and then spends three months in French oak barrels. Fermenting the juice in wood rather than steel, followed by a short spell in barrel, integrates the oak gently and adds a light creamy texture and a subtle toasty note without dominating the fruit, an approach suited to Chardonnay's affinity with oak. The measured time in wood keeps the wine fresh and fruit-led rather than heavily oaked. The colour is bright yellow with golden and greenish glints. The nose is expressive, with ripe banana, apple and tropical fruit lifted by a note of vanilla and toasted hazelnut. The palate is rounded and ripe, with a soft, creamy texture balanced by a fresh citrus lift into a clean finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It pairs with poultry, richer fish and creamy dishes.