The James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge celebrates all chardonnay in its quest to find Australia’s best. Now more than ever, Australian wine-lovers across the globe, are seeking expressive, diverse and intricate chardonnays from our country.
Chardonnay has had a precarious relationship with the Australian consumer over the years, however recent studies suggest that the once polarising varietal, is now Australia’s favourite!
Being one of the most diverse and widely planted varietals across the country, the adaptability of chardonnay allows for it to be grown in nearly every Australian wine region.
“Chardonnay is the most exciting wine in Australia. It has always offered opportunities for winemakers in all climates, but over the last decade every aspect of growing the grape – especially when to pick – and of making the wine has come under the microscope. The result has been a radical change in the choice of styles, and wines with greater subtlety and finesse than we have ever previously seen,” James Halliday said in 2013.
Born in the Yarra Valley, the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge has been running since 2012, honouring chardonnay with style and finesse, to become Australia’s best for the year.