Domaine Mercadier Chardonnay - £4.99Price on 16-Jun-08 from Laithwaites.Master winemaker Philippe Mercadier has a display cabinet full of awards, including a Gold medal from London's biggest wine show. His family own several famous chateaux in Bordeaux including, for many decades now, Domaine Mercadier in the northern part of the Corbieres region. Here Philippe is renowned for luxurious, buttery Chardonnay. However, to protect local varieties officials have outlawed 100% Chardonnays. Philippe is so obsessive about the quality of his high altitude grapes that he's made one anyway - with magnificent results. He accepts having to label his wine as a humble Vin de Pays, and in this tough economic climate, he's happy to keep the price right down. Deliciously rounded with clean citrus and green apple flavours. Lively and fresh on the finish - it's a stunning partner to rich, creamy chicken dishes.