Chardonnay is Australia’s best variety, says Jefford

Australian Chardonnay competes with top level Burgundy 'effortlessly', according to Andrew Jefford.

Writing in the November issue of Decanter magazine, Jefford says the variety should be held up as Australia's example of how to express varietal and regional characters across a broad range of climates.

Chardonnay's success, he suggests, could help other varieties become more consistent.

'After tasting a few thousand Australian wines over the past 18 months, I've no doubt that it's Chardonnay, not Shiraz or Cabernet, which is Australia's most consistently successful variety.'

And we couldn't agree more. This week we held an Oakridge v.s. Defaix masterclass, where we pitted the Yarra Valley v.s. Chablis, Old World v.s. New, and the results were conclusive. In stylistic terms, the flavour and acid profiles and aging potential from both producers were incredibly close. Oakridge winemaker, David Bicknell believes in maxmising fruit potential by adhering to the French principles of earlier harvesting, reduced malolactic fermentation and sourcing fruit from single vineyards, and single parcels (known as 'Lieu-dit', meaning named place or named parcel). The success of these wines is due to optimal site selection, and a sympathetic winemaking style, which work to bring out the best in the fruit.

To try these wines yourself, see our order form here.

To learn more about Chardonnay regions and styles why not take our Intermediate White Wine course, beginning November 9th?