Wine Peeps is an independent wine blog dedicated to helping you get the most bang for your buck in wine. We do this through blind tastings of wine from around the world and calculations of 
A Wine for Tonight: 2012 Apaltagua Unoaked Reserva Chardonnay
By Kori ~ October 2nd, 2013.
Would you like a quick suggestion for a good wine to drink tonight (or this weekend) that won’t break your budget and is widely available? If so, you might want to check out the 2012 Apaltagua Unoaked Reserva Chardonnay from the Casablanca Valley of Chile.
Our selection criteria include:
- A very good Quality rating of >=3.5 stars (out of 5)
- A price tag of <=$20
- Must be widely available
Viña Apaltagua, founded by American businessman Edward Tutunjian, produces 235,000 cases annually, which are exported to 40 different countries. Apaltagua has winemaking projects in six different valleys in Chile. This Reserva Chardonnay comes from the Casablanca Valley. The Casablanca Valley was Chile’s first cool-climate wine region. With its cool Mediterranean climate and pronounced maritime influence, the Casablanca Valley is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
“A lovely pale yellow hue, our Apaltagua Reserva Chardonnay has flecks of green, and is clean and bright. Aromatically, it reveals hints of tropical fruit, such as passion fruit and pineapple. In the mouth it leaves a persistent note of lemon peel and melon.” –Winemaker Benjamin Mei
2012 Apaltagua Unoaked Reserva Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley, Chile): 100% Chardonnay. Pale, greenish straw yellow in color. Aromatic with lemon, lime, and tropical fruit on both the nose and palate. Dry and medium-bodied with tart acidity and a long, crisp finish.
Quality: 3.5 stars (out of 5)
QPR: 5 bangs for your buck (out of 5)
Where to buy: Received as sample, suggested retail $12; Available elsewhere, $11 to $15
Filed under: A Wine for Tonight, Chardonnay, Chilean Wine, Five-Bangs For Your Buck Wines, White Wine, Wines Under $15, Wines Under $20, Wines Under $25
