- Last updated on March 10, 2023
Welcome! This is our Meerlust Chardonnay review.
Meerlust Chardonnay is a premium wine from the Meerlust Estate, located in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
The estate has been producing wine for over 300 years, and their Chardonnay is one of their most celebrated offerings.
This wine showcases the unique terroir of the Stellenbosch region, as well as the expertise and passion of the Meerlust winemaking team.
Find below our Meerlust Chardonnay full review along with our food pairings recommendations, serving tips, curiosity, and where you can buy it.
Let’s begin!
Our Meerlust Chardonnay Review
- Brand: Meerlust Estate
- Grape Varietal: Chardonnay
- Region: South Africa, Stellenbosch
- Tasting Notes: Citrus & Tropical fruit notes
- Glass & Serving: Chardonnay / 45-50 °F (7-10 °C) / Don’t decant
- Store: Up to 6 Years
- Price Range: ~$30
- Bottle Size: 750 ml
Meerlust Chardonnay review: What's its color?
Meerlust Chardonnay has a beautiful golden color that sparkles in the light.
When swirled, it forms viscous legs that slowly cascade down the side of the glass, indicating its richness and concentration.
If you want to know more about how to taste wine and the lingo that goes with it, check out this article: How To Taste Wine Like a Pro in 4 Steps.
Meerlust Chardonnay taste like?
Meerlust Chardonnay is entirely made from Chardonnay grapes and aged 9 months in oak barrels.
On the nose, it offers a complex bouquet of aromas.
There are notes of citrus, such as lemon and grapefruit, as well as tropical fruits, such as pineapple.
There are also subtle hints of oak, vanilla, and toast, which add complexity and depth to the wine.
On the palate, it is rich and full-bodied, with a creamy texture and a lively acidity that provides balance and structure.
The flavors are intense and persistent, with notes of citrus, tropical fruits, and a touch of minerality.
The oak undertones are more prominent on the palate, providing a lovely toasted finish.
Is Meerlust Chardonnay wine sweet?
No, it’s not sweet. Meerlust Chardonnay wine is a dry wine.
A dry wine contains less than 15 g/L.
Learn more about wine sweetness level here.
Meerlust Chardonnay review: Which food pairs well with it?
Meerlust Chardonnay is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of dishes.
It is particularly well-suited to seafood, such as grilled prawns, scallops, or lobster.
It also pairs well with creamy pastas, chicken dishes, and light salads.
Meerlust Chardonnay review: What's its alcohol content?
Meerlust Chardonnay wine’s alcohol content is 13.5%.
In case you wonder about alcohol content or more precisely Alcohol By Volume, i.e. ABV, measure the alcoholic strength of a drink.
There is a direct relationship between the sugar left in the wine after the alcoholic fermentation has taken place, i.e. Residual Sugar or RS, and ABV.
During alcoholic fermentation, the yeast transforms the sugar in the grape juice into alcohol.
Grapes with high residual sugar will therefore produce dry wine with a high ABV.
How many calories are in a glass of Meerlust Chardonnay wine?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture [1] a 5-ounce glass will contain about 120 to 130 calories.
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram. So a wine with high ABV will have a higher calories per glass than a wine with low ABV.
Furthermore, sugar contributes to the calorie count.
A dry wine will usually have 4 calories per grams vs a sweet wine that will have around 20 calories per grams of carbs, which include sugar.
Since this is an off-dry wine it will have a bit more than 4 calories per grams.
What is Meerlust Estate?
Here is an extract from the Meerlust Estate website:
“Growing fine wines on the Meerlust Estate has been part of the Myburgh family tradition for eight generations, beginning in 1756.
Long recognized for producing world-class wines, the Meerlust Estate is singularly rich in charm and history.“
Conclusion
Meerlust Chardonnay is a wine that perfectly captures the essence of the Stellenbosch region.
It is a wine that is rich, complex, and elegant, with a beautiful balance of fruit and oak flavors.
The wine is a testament to the expertise and passion of the Meerlust winemaking team, who have crafted a wine that is truly exceptional.
Meerlust Chardonnay is a wine that will delight even the most discerning wine lovers and is a must-try for anyone looking for a premium South African Chardonnay.
Once you had it, we’d love to know your opinion, so reach out and let’s know what you think! Enjoy!
