Why is chardonnay so hot?
Claudine Earley7/10/2009 12:00:00 a.m.
JUDGES sniffed, swirled, slurped and spat their way through more than 2,000 wines at the New Zealand International Wine Show a couple of weeks ago, awarding 156 gold medals, 317 silver and 791 bronze medals.
For the second year in a row a chardonnay won the supreme trophy.
The judges praised West Brook Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2007 ($20) for its juiciness, creamy body, nuts and peaches. A chardonnay (Corbans’ Cottage Block) also took out the supreme accolade at the Royal Easter Show. And Church Road Chardonnay was a winner last year.
Why is chardonnay so hot right now? Perhaps it’s the satisfying texture and weight – qualities sometimes lacking in lighter aromatic whites. Compatibility with food is no doubt another factor. And it’s a safe bet for the judges, who have their decision supported by our long history of enjoying the grape, since the days of the Chardonnay Socialists in the late ‘80s.
Chardonnay is a reliable old stalwart of the Kiwi drinking scene, so familiar that most of your friends will know what you mean when you call it “cardonnay”, in a culture savvy reference to an episode of Kath and Kim.
A drop to look at for is the tasty Sacred Hill “Wine Thief” Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 ($29.90). Named after the glass pipette used to draw wine samples from the barrel, this “wine thief” smells like orange blossom, apricot and pineapple with a dose of nut nougat. Sweet apricot flows under the tongue, while hazelnut hovers on the roof of the mouth.
Wine of the week: Old Coach Road Chardonnay 2007 is a bargain. For $10.90 on supermarket special you can afford to try this award winner. It’s smokey and complex, slightly sweet and nutty. Keep an eye out for the imminent release of their aromatic off-dry 2009 pinot gris, which will be available at the same super price.
For the second year in a row a chardonnay won the supreme trophy.
The judges praised West Brook Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2007 ($20) for its juiciness, creamy body, nuts and peaches. A chardonnay (Corbans’ Cottage Block) also took out the supreme accolade at the Royal Easter Show. And Church Road Chardonnay was a winner last year.
Why is chardonnay so hot right now? Perhaps it’s the satisfying texture and weight – qualities sometimes lacking in lighter aromatic whites. Compatibility with food is no doubt another factor. And it’s a safe bet for the judges, who have their decision supported by our long history of enjoying the grape, since the days of the Chardonnay Socialists in the late ‘80s.
Chardonnay is a reliable old stalwart of the Kiwi drinking scene, so familiar that most of your friends will know what you mean when you call it “cardonnay”, in a culture savvy reference to an episode of Kath and Kim.
A drop to look at for is the tasty Sacred Hill “Wine Thief” Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008 ($29.90). Named after the glass pipette used to draw wine samples from the barrel, this “wine thief” smells like orange blossom, apricot and pineapple with a dose of nut nougat. Sweet apricot flows under the tongue, while hazelnut hovers on the roof of the mouth.
Wine of the week: Old Coach Road Chardonnay 2007 is a bargain. For $10.90 on supermarket special you can afford to try this award winner. It’s smokey and complex, slightly sweet and nutty. Keep an eye out for the imminent release of their aromatic off-dry 2009 pinot gris, which will be available at the same super price.
