Enrique Mendoza Chardonnay Joven 2025

Enrique Mendoza Chardonnay Joven comes from Bodegas Enrique Mendoza in D.O. Alicante, made from the estate's own vineyards at Cabeza de la Virgen near Villena. The winery farms sustainably and this bottling is certified vegan. The warm Mediterranean climate of inland Alicante ripens Chardonnay fully, pushing it towards riper tropical fruit, while the vineyard sites and cooler nights help retain the citrus freshness that keeps the wine balanced. The grapes are given a short skin maceration of about three hours to draw out aromatics, then fermented at a low 13 degrees to preserve fruit, after which the wine rests on its own yeast and lees until bottling to build a little texture. There is no oak, so the fruit stays clean and primary. The colour is pale straw. The nose is generous, with tropical notes of pineapple and mango over lemon and grapefruit and a touch of ripe pear. The palate is fresh and fruity, medium bodied, the tropical fruit balanced by citrus acidity to a clean finish. Serve chilled at 9 to 11 degrees. It suits poultry, white fish and roasted vegetables.