To oak or not to oak

Oak-spotting

How do you know if a wine is oaked or unoaked? Occasionally the wine's name will tell you, as in the case of two good examples from the Antipodes: Peter Lehmann Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 (£4.99, Co-Op) from Australia and Montana Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 (£5-6, Waitrose and Tesco) from New Zealand. But often you’ll have to find out for yourself. Ask at the shop where you’re buying. Look at back labels. And most important, let your taste buds guide you. Once you’ve learned to identify the distinctive flavours of oak, you’ll be able to see where they fit in – or don’t fit in – with the wine you’re drinking.

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