Cool Climate California: Frei Brothers Chardonnay

A classy New World Chardonnay from Waitrose

Chardonnay comes in a range of styles from lean-yet-compelling Chablis to buttery, oatmealy New World chardie.

From the cooler Russian River Valley in California's Sonoma, this chardie has plenty of New World fruit and substance with sweet oaky spice - it's a serious and sophisticated crowd-pleaser.

Frei Brothers Chardonnay 2016, Russian River Valley (Waitrose, £17.99) ripe orchard fruits, honeydew melon and pineapple and creamy, oatmealy leesiness. Lush and rich; very adept and harmonious.

Good.

A versatile wine; drink as an aperitif or match with seafood or white meats.