Chardon-Yay or Chardon-Nay? 🍾
CHARDONNAY ON TRIAL
Chardonnay: the grape everyone thinks they have an opinion about. Too oaky! Too buttery! Too… everywhere! Well, park your prejudices at the door — this week we’re holding court, and Chardonnay is mounting its defence.
It’s Spain versus France across five glasses: two Navarra Chardonnays from the Chivite family, two from the cool French hills of Limoux, and a gorgeous Navarra rosé as the palate-cleansing wildcard. Same grape, wildly different wines. By the end of the night you’ll know exactly where you stand: Chardon-yay, or Chardon-nay?
🍷 Why does Chardonnay divide a room?
Here’s the secret: Chardonnay barely has a flavour of its own. It’s a blank canvas — the “winemaker’s grape” — that tastes of where it’s grown and how it’s made. Raised in steel, it’s all citrus, green apple and crushed stone (think Chablis). Given time in oak, it turns golden, creamy and rich, with vanilla, butter and toast. Same grape, two completely different wines — which is why most people who say “I don’t like Chardonnay” have simply met the wrong one. Tonight, let’s find yours.
🍷 THE LINEUP 🍷
🇪🇸 Labores Chardonnay — Unzu Wines, Navarra
Julián Chivite’s tribute to the growers of his home town, Cintruénigo. Aged on its lees from 26-year-old vines: fresh and elegant, with citrus, verbena and white flowers over a smooth, lively palate.
🇪🇸 UNZU Chardonnay — Unzu Wines, Navarra
The richer sibling — part-fermented in new French oak and aged on lees, giving a structured, unctuous and noble white that balances freshness with real depth.
🇫🇷 Vigne et Truffe Chardonnay — Sieur d’Arques, Limoux
100% Chardonnay from the cool Pyrenean foothills where Atlantic and Mediterranean climates meet — taut, mineral and gently savoury, with the earthy whisper that earns its “vine & truffle” name.
🇫🇷 Toques et Clochers Chardonnay — Sieur d’Arques, Limoux
The benchmark cuvée and Limoux’s pride — cool-climate finesse with citrus, fine oak spice and a chalky, mineral backbone.
🥂 A de Arínzano Rosé 2024 — Pago de Arínzano, Navarra
The wildcard: a pale, elegant rosé from one of Navarra’s great single estates — fresh, summery and the perfect palate-cleanser between the Chardonnays.
YOUR HOST
This isn’t a sit-back-and-sip evening — it’s a conversation. Martha leads every tasting hands-on: pouring, sharing the story behind each wine, and genuinely wanting to hear what you think. With Chardonnay that’s half the fun — she’ll want to know which style won you over and which left you cold. She’ll invite you to score your favourites and, if you fancy it, to say a few words about which you loved and why. Join in as much or as little as you like — questions are always welcome.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
✔ Four Chardonnays + one wildcard rosé
✔ A guided, interactive tasting with Martha
✔ The great Spain-vs-France Chardonnay showdown
✔ Your official verdict: yay or nay
€40 per person | Limited to 16 guests | 6pm – 8pm
Martha’s Vineyard Moraira — where the jury’s always thirsty.
- 30 Jul 2026
- 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- 40.00€
- Ctra. Moraira a Teulada, 42 Moraira
- http://marthasvineyard.es
Martha's Vineyard is a gathering place for wine lovers. Located right next to Clinica Moraira and Pepe La Sal Supermarket on the Moraira to Teulada Road
- martha@marthasvineyard.es
Martha is a retired diplomat for the Colombian government, having years of experience in the organization and creation of cultural events including the famous annual Latin American Festival in Istanbul. Over the last 15 years Martha lived in the Southern California wine area and contributed to the creation of numerous wine experiences, such as chocolate wine pairings for some of the biggest wineries of the area. Now living in Moraira, she is in a mission to bring wine lovers together with the wine makers of Alicante in a series of fun, entertaining and educational events.
