35 South Chardonnay

35 South Chardonnay is a 100% Chardonnay from Chile's Central Valley, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by Viña San Pedro — one of Chile's oldest wineries, founded in 1865 — this expression takes its name from the 35th parallel south, the latitude where the estate's vineyards sit.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Central Valley, Chile  |  Varietal: 100% Chardonnay  |  Producer: Viña San Pedro

Production & Heritage

Viña San Pedro has been producing wine in Chile for over 150 years, making it one of the country's most established operations. 35 South Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve bright fruit character, then aged in French oak barrels to introduce structure and subtle creaminess. The combination of cool stainless steel fermentation with oak maturation gives this wine its balance between fresh fruit and richer, toasty undertones — a technique that positions it as an accessible but layered Chardonnay at its price tier.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Tropical fruits lead the nose, with ripe pineapple and mango arriving first. Behind the fruit, gentle hints of vanilla and butter emerge from the French oak influence.

Taste: The entry is bright with citrus and peach, moving into rounder apple and stone fruit flavors at mid-palate. A subtle oakiness weaves through the fruit, lending a slightly toasty, layered quality without overwhelming the Chardonnay's natural character.

Finish: Smooth and moderately long with a creamy texture that lingers. The tropical fruit slowly fades into soft vanilla and a clean, lightly buttery close.

How to Drink 35 South Chardonnay

Serve chilled between 10–12°C (50–54°F) to bring out its full aromatic range without muting the fruit. A standard white wine glass with a slightly wider bowl helps concentrate the tropical and oak aromas.

In cocktails, this Chardonnay brings enough body and fruit to work beyond the glass: a White Wine Spritzer pairs its tropical notes with sparkling water and a citrus twist for a refreshing warm-weather drink; a Chardonnay Sangria benefits from its peach and mango character alongside sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy; and a French 75 variation using Chardonnay in place of Champagne adds a richer, creamier dimension to the classic template.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled chicken or seafood pasta
• Introducing someone to oaked Chardonnay without an overwhelming oak profile
• Summer entertaining where a chilled, crowd-pleasing white is needed
• Building an affordable Chilean wine collection alongside reds from the same region

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 35 South Chardonnay taste like? It delivers ripe tropical fruit — pineapple, mango, and peach — layered with vanilla and a creamy mouthfeel from French oak aging. The overall impression is smooth and full-bodied with a gentle, buttery finish.

How does 35 South Chardonnay compare to Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay? Both are Central Valley Chilean Chardonnays at accessible price points, but 35 South leans into a creamier, more tropically-driven profile from its French oak aging. Casillero del Diablo, produced by Concha y Toro, tends toward a slightly crisper style, making the choice largely a matter of preference between richness and freshness.

Is 35 South Chardonnay good for beginners? Yes — its fruit-forward profile and soft oak influence make it an approachable introduction to Chardonnay without the heavy butter and toast that can dominate more aggressively oaked examples.

Where is 35 South Chardonnay made? It is produced by Viña San Pedro in Chile's Central Valley, one of the country's most prolific winemaking regions. Viña San Pedro was founded in 1865 and remains among Chile's oldest and most recognized wine producers.

What foods pair well with 35 South Chardonnay? Grilled shrimp or lobster complement its creamy weight; roast chicken with herbs mirrors its vanilla and fruit notes; mild, creamy cheeses like brie or camembert echo the wine's buttery texture; pasta in a light cream sauce matches its body without competing; and fresh tropical fruit salad reinforces the pineapple and mango aromatics.

What sizes does 35 South Chardonnay come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is 35 South Chardonnay worth the price? 35 South positions as an entry-level Chardonnay that delivers more complexity than many wines at its tier, thanks to the French oak aging step that adds texture and depth beyond basic stainless-steel-only bottlings.

Why 35 South Chardonnay?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of budget Chilean Chardonnays is the deliberate use of French oak barrel aging — a step that many producers skip entirely at this price level. The result is a noticeably creamier, more textured wine than straight stainless-steel alternatives. Backed by over 150 years of winemaking heritage at Viña San Pedro, it draws on deep institutional knowledge of Central Valley fruit. For drinkers seeking a full-bodied, tropical-leaning Chardonnay without a premium price tag, this bottling consistently delivers above its weight class.