The 'wine of the year' is about to launch in Australia for $45.99 - but you'll have to move quickly if you want to score a bottle
New Zealand 's Isabel Estate Wild Barrique Chardonnay 2022 has just come off the back of being named Wine of the Year at the London Wine Competition, and Champion Chardonnay at NZ's National Wine Awards.
And on July 8, Aussies will be able to score a $45.99 bottle (or three) for themselves at Dan Murphy's.
The Chardonnay is the latest blend flipping the style's 'granny' reputation on its head, with the wine crafted from some of the oldest vines on the Isabel Estate site.
It undergoes 100 per cent wild fermentation to result in a wine of 'power and elegance' with notes of melon, citrus and vanilla and has a smoother, creamier base than many others on the market.
'We keep the fruit on lees for an extended period so the flavour continues to develop and also allow the fruit and oak notes to intertwine well. It is a true global style that resonates with sommeliers and lovers of high-quality Chardonnay,' Jeremy McKenzie, Chief Winemaker at Isabel Estate, told FEMAIL.
Jeremy is delighted to see Chardonnay making waves again after a stint that saw other varieties take centre stage.
'It has always had a bit of a stereotype as a rich, oak-heavy white wine that you'd see your grandma drinking at family lunch. But more and more producers are working hard to shine the spotlight on Chardonnay as a vibrant, stonefruit-forward white wine with great acidity, minerality and balance,' he said.
Jeremy McKenzie, Chief Winemaker at Isabel Estate (pictured), says producers are working hard to shine the spotlight on Chardonnay as a vibrant, stonefruit-forward white wine
'I think if we continue to share the story around these judicious restrained oak used Chardonnays we will see more interest in the varietal to a wider audience.
'I personally hope people keep an interest in chardonnay as it's a wonderful, versatile grape that's widely grown both here in Australia and New Zealand and more broadly, Burgundy.'
Jeremy said their team is super passionate, taste widely and particularly love Chardonnay from Tasmania, the Yarra and Chablis.
This, he says, lends to their distinctive style.
In terms of cellaring and pairings, Jeremy said the wine is 'super cellarable', 'can be a highlight on a special occasion' and works brilliantly with seafood.
'The wine is super cuisine friendly - a favourite is Manuka Smoked Marlborough salmon,' he said. 'But it is also great with an octopus linguine.'
The Wild Barrique has only just been launched with Australian distributors so the wine isn't on any restaurant lists Down Under yet... but that may not be for long.
'Keep an eye out,' Jeremy hints.
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