Finca Flichman Caballero de la Cepa Chardonnay 2017 Mendoza, Argentina 75cl

Finca Flichman is one of Mendoza’s long-established wineries, with a broad range that stretches from everyday bottles to more ambitious wines. Caballero de la Cepa, meaning something like gentleman of the vine, is its classic mid-range line and a familiar name on Argentine shelves.

This Chardonnay is made in a fresh, fruit-led style rather than a rich, heavily oaked one, so the emphasis is on brightness and drinkability. The fruit comes from Mendoza, where warm days and cool nights help white grapes hold their acidity and keep the wine lively rather than heavy.

The 2017 is a wine to drink for its freshness. It was never built for the cellar, and it shows the grape’s straightforward, crowd-pleasing side at its best while young, so it is one to open soon rather than tuck away.

In the glass expect citrus and crisp apple, a light touch of orchard and stone fruit, and a clean, refreshing close. There is little to no obvious oak, keeping the wine uncomplicated and thirst-quenching from first sip to last. Serve it well chilled to show off its freshness.

This is an honest, everyday Chardonnay for casual meals and easy drinking. It suits green salads, roast chicken, mild fish dishes, creamy pasta or simply a cold glass on a warm evening. When you want an unoaked white that is fresh and undemanding rather than showy, it is a dependable choice at a friendly price. It is easy to keep a bottle chilled for whenever a fresh, everyday white is called for, whether a quick lunch or an impromptu glass on the sofa.