A brand-new celebration of one of Australia’s most loved wine grapes, Chardonnay is launching in the Adelaide Hills this Autumn.
Throughout the whole of May, wineries, restaurants and bottle shops will be
honouring this vibrant and versatile grape variety with tastings, paired dinners, promotions and immersive experiences.
This year will be the first ever ‘Chardonnay May’ festival with the view that every year, South Australians will get together to enjoy this elegant and complex grape variety, which thrives in the Adelaide Hills.
Think whiling away a beautiful Autumn afternoon in a Cellar Door, tasting different styles of Chardonnay that might challenge your misconceptions around this historic grape variety – from the crisp and acid-driven ‘Chablis’ aperitif style through to those that show complex characters that are the perfect food match.
Or settle in for an indulgent lunch at one of your favourite restaurants, in the Hills or Adelaide CBD, pairing museum Chardonnays with seasonal, local produce that make it sing.
Chardonnay vines were first planted in the Adelaide Hills in the 1970s, its cool climate and elevation providing the ideal conditions for this French variety.
The diversity of the Adelaide Hills’ micro-climates and winemaking styles results in a range of different Chardonnays that appeal to all tastes – there’s a wine for everyone. In particular, the Adelaide Hills is a leader in
‘New Australian – New Wave’ Chardonnay, wines which are elegant, textured and lean but which have the acid structure to age and evolve.
“Here in the Adelaide Hills, we make some of the finest Chardonnays in the world, and we want to take the opportunity to really celebrate the diversity of this noble variety,” says Jared Stringer, president, Adelaide Hills Wine Region.
“Throughout May, we want South Aussies to immerse themselves in all things Chardy, learn more and have some fun with tastings, workshops and food experiences, in the Adelaide Hills and beyond.”
Chardonnay May runs throughout the whole month, and more events and activities will be confirmed as the date nears.
All information will be available from 4pm on Friday 19 March at www.chardonnaymay.com.au
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