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All the medal-winning wines from The Global Chardonnay Masters 2022

We reveal the results in full from this year’s Global Chardonnay Masters, which saw wines from Australia and California take home top medals, along with Spain and Italy, although the best performing nations were South Africa and New Zealand.

ONE OF the joys about spending a day tasting Chardonnay is that the grape says so much about the winemaking paradigm we’re in. As a fairly neutral variety, it is up to the cellar master to play with pressing regimes, lees management, and barrel formats, not forgetting new oak content, to add character and interest to the final result.

With so much in their control, it’s a grape that can be used to reflect the current stylistic trends, whether or not they are designed to appeal to the critic, or the consumer. Indeed, Chardonnay tends to be something of a barometer of taste – the way it’s made showing whether we are in a period when delicacy is desirable, or something more overt and powerful.

Furthermore, if one considers that it’s the winemaker that tends to decide on picking dates, then those in the cellar have further control over Chardonnay style. After all, this is a grape that can also be harvested early to yield a zesty wine with the grapefruit-like notes of Sauvignon Blanc, or the peach and apricot characters one might associate with Viognier.

So, judging by this year’s Chardonnay Masters, what era are we in? A time of lightness and subtlety, or something weighty and obvious? What’s interesting is that both are apparent in today’s Chardonnays, but at the top end, the pendulum has seemingly swung towards the skinnier style, with zesty fruit married to sulphidic lees-sourced aromas and a touch of toast from barrel-ageing. The higher-end Chardonnay is no longer a refuge for rich yellow fruit flavours, nor a buttercream lactic acid and new oak combination.

But at the other end of the spectrum, among the cheaper more mass-market Chardonnays, especially those under £10, there are some bigger styles on offer, showing more peach and vanilla notes, harking back to a previous paradigm, which, when the oak and lactic influence became excessive, damaged this grape’s image, and spawned the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) movement. Such richer (if better-made) styles are successful again today, even celebrated, with the likes of a Chardonnay called ‘Bread and Butter ’, that has been emulated by others.

Such a polarising situation encouraged one of the panel chairs, Jonathan Pedley MW, to comment after this year ’s tasting: “It is curious that while the austere, citric, ‘struck match’ style of Chardonnay dominates the higher price points, the Old School ripe, juicy, rounded style is still alive and well at the lower price points. Are we seeing a divergence in Chardonnay production between the lean style aimed at the wealthy cognoscenti and the lush style still satisfying the mass market?”

Judging by the Global Chardonnay Masters 2022, the answer is ‘yes’, and, although I and my fellow tasters did come away enthused about the quality of the wines, we did find ourselves craving a little more stuffing in some of the top-end expressions. As Pedley also said: “’The Triumph of Austerity’ might be a subtitle for today’s tasting.”

Finally, as you can see from the results, certain sources of Chardonnay produced standout wines. At the lower end, South Africa was revelatory. Indeed, if I’m asked to name the best place for sub-£15 Chardonnay right now, it’s the Western Cape. There was also a beacon of brilliance at the priciest end too, with Capensis – a South African Chardonnay from Jackson Family Wines. Across a range of mid and high prices, New Zealand, both Marlborough and especially Hawke’s Bay, wowed, while Australia (Adelaide Hills, Margaret River) and California (Sonoma, Monterey) performed very well – which was less surprising considering their strong reputation for the grape.

In contrast, more unexpected sources of greatness were Somontano and Argentina, along with Lombardy. In short, the top-end Chardonnay of today has become somewhat minimalist, reduced to a pristine taste of freshly struck matchstick, citrus fruit, and a touch of charred bread.

For the critic and collector, such a combination is a sign of sophistication and precision; a fine wine for our time. For the hedonistic consumer, however, such Chardonnays are probably a little too austere.

Please scroll down to see all the medallists from this year’s Global Chardonnay Masters and some information on the competition. And please click here to read our review of the Top 20 Chardonnays from the tasting. 

Sparkling Chardonnay
Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
£10-£15
Bouchard Aîné & Fils Brut de Chardonnay Burgundy France NV Bronze
£20-£30
Corte Aura Franciacorta Satèn Brut Franciacorta Italy NV Silver
Jaume Serra Chardonnay Gran Reserva Cataluña Spain 2017 Bronze
Corte Aura Franciacorta Demi Sec Franciacorta Italy NV Silver
£30-£50
Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Collection Vintage Blanc de Blancs Champagne France 2017 Gold
Champagne Jean-Noël Haton Blanc de Blancs Extra Champagne France NV Gold
Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Cuvée Spéciale Blanc de Blancs Champagne France NV Silver
Centre Vinicole – Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne France 2011 Silver
Champagne Jean-Noël Haton Blanc de Blancs Champagne France NV Silver
Viña Valdivieso Centenario Blanc de Blanc Biobio Chile NV Bronze
£50-£70
Champagne Abelé 1757 Blanc de Blancs Champagne France NV Gold

Unoaked Still Chardonnay
Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay Chile Chile 2021 Silver
Aldi Ireland S/S Australian Chardonnay Limestone Coast Australia 2021 Silver
Daimiel Don Simon Nature Chardonnay Castilla-La Mancha Spain 2021 Silver
Cramele Recas Paparuda Chardonnay Banat Romania 2021 Silver
Cramele Recas Incanta Chardonnay Banat Romania 2021 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Promised Land Chardonnay South Australia Australia 2022 Silver
Viña Valdivieso Valdivieso Chardonnay Curicó Valley Chile 2022 Silver
Leaps & Bounds Leaps & Bounds Chardonnay Australia Australia 2021 Silver
Cramele Recas Calusari Chardonnay Banat Romania 2021 Silver
Félix Solís Avantis La Prensa Chardonnay Castilla-La Mancha Spain 2021 Bronze
Viña Valdivieso Winemaker Reserva Chardonnay Casablanca Chile 2022 Bronze
Félix Solís Avantis Viña Albali Chardonnay Castilla-La Mancha Spain 2021 Bronze
Daimiel Translations Chardonnay Castilla La Mancha Spain 2021 Bronze
£10-£15
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Reserva Especial Chardonnay Limarí Valley Chile 2021 Silver
Maso Grener Vigna Tratta Chardonnay Trentino DOC Trentino Alto-Adige Italy 2021 Silver
Seaglass Wine Co. Seaglass Chardonnay Central Coast USA 2021 Silver
Cantina di La-Vis Classici Chardonnay Trentino Italy 2021 Bronze
Fratelli Wines Fratelli Chardonnay Maharashtra India 2021 Bronze
Viña Morandé Morandé Estate Reserve Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Familia Torres Gran Viña Sol Penedès Spain 2021 Bronze
£15-£20
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Chardonnay Uco Valley Argentina 2021 Silver
Meiomi Meiomi Chardonnay California USA 2021 Silver
Viña Morandé Morandé Gran Reserva Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Chile 2020 Silver
Joel Gott Wines Joel Gott Chardonnay California USA 2021 Silver
£20-£30
SIMI Sonoma County Chardonnay Sonoma County USA 2021 Gold
Viña Morandé Morandé Black Series Chardonnay Malleco Valley Chile 2020 Gold
£30-£50
Società Agricola Bellavista Convento SS Annunciata Lombardy Italy 2017 Master
£50-£70
Terrazas de los Andes Grand Chardonnay Uco Valley Argentina 2021 Gold

Oaked Still Chardonnay
Winery Name of Wine Region Country Vintage Medal
Under £10
Stoneleigh Wild Valley Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Gold
Distell Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay Stellenbosch South Africa 2021 Gold
Distell Durbanville Hills Chardonnay Cape Town South Africa 2021 Gold
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Chardonnay Australia Australia 2021 Silver
Nederburg Wines Winemasters Chardonnay South Africa South Africa 2021 Silver
Distell Zonnebloem Chardonnay South Africa South Africa 2022 Silver
£10-£15
Brancott Estate Letter Series O Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Gold
Nederburg Wines Manor House Chardonnay South Africa South Africa 2021 Gold
Cavit Bottega Vinai Chardonnay Trentino DOC Trentino-Alto Adige Italy 2021 Silver
Marisco Vineyards Limited The Ned Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Viña Valdivieso Valley Selection Chardonnay Casablanca Chile 2021 Silver
Marisco Vineyards Limited The King’s Legacy Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
La Couronne Wine Estate Franschhoek 1688 Franschhoek South Africa 2020 Silver
Marisco Vineyards Limited Leefield Station Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards Montford Estate Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Taylors Special Release Chardonnay Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Viña Valdivieso Single Vineyard Chardonnay Casablanca Chile 2021 Silver
Stoneleigh Rapaura Series Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Wise Wolf Chardonnay Pays d’Oc France 2021 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Deen Vat 7 Chardonnay Riverina Australia 2021 Bronze
Three Thieves Three Thieves California USA 2020 Bronze
Cono Sur Single Vineyard Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Bronze
Stoneleigh Latitude Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Bronze
£15-£20
Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2021 Master
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Chardonnay Casablanca Valley Chile 2021 Gold
The Lane Vineyard Chardonnay Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Silver
te Pa Family Vineyards te Pa Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
The Coterie SPOKE ‘Amped’ Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Silver
Kendall-Jackson Vineyard Estates Vintners Reserve Chardonnay California USA 2021 Silver
Cannonball Cannonball Chardonnay California USA 2020 Bronze
£20-£30
te Pa Family Vineyards Reserve Collection St Leonard’s Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Master
Bodega Enate Enate Barrel – Fermented Chardonnay Aragon Spain 2021 Master
Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2020 Master
Ktima Gerovassiliou Chardonnay Epanomi Greece 2021 Gold
St Hugo Eden Valley Chardonnay Eden Valley Australia 2021 Gold
Vasse Felix Chardonnay Margaret River Australia 2020 Silver
La Crema Monterey Chardonnay Monterey USA 2021 Silver
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay Yarra Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Familia Torres Sons de Prades Catalonia Spain 2019 Silver
Hahn Family Wines Hahn Chardonnay California USA 2021 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines St Andrews Chardonnay Clare Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Alpha Estate Ecosystem Chardonnay Single Block Tramonto Florina Greece 2021 Silver
Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay Adelaide Hills and Tasmania Australia 2021 Silver
Chamlija Felix Culpa Chardonnay Strandja Mountain Turkey 2021 Silver
Cambria Estate Winery Cambria Katherine’s Chardonnay Santa Barbara County USA 2021 Silver
Taken Taken Napa Valley USA 2019 Silver
Wakefield/Taylors Wines Jaraman Chardonnay Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley Australia 2021 Silver
The Prisoner Wine Company Unshackled Chardonnay California USA 2021 Silver
Napa Cellars Napa Cellars Chardonnay Napa County USA 2021 Silver
Wakefield Taylors Wines One Giant Leap Chardonnay Padthaway/Clare Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Pask Winery Pask Declaration Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2020 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Estate Vineyard Chardonnay Yarra Valley Australia 2021 Bronze
Bodega Alpamanta Alpamanta Chardonnay Mendoza Argentina 2021 Bronze
Orlando Wines Orlando Hilary Chardonnay Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Bronze
Warwick White Lady Chardonnay Stellenbosch South Africa 2020 Bronze
De Bortoli Wines Regional Classic Tumbarumba Chardonnay Tumbarumba Australia 2019 Bronze
Tapanappa Tapanappa Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay South Australia Australia 2020 Bronze
£30-£50
Marisco Vineyards Limited The Pioneer Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Master
Stoneleigh Icon Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2021 Master
Bodegas Bianchi Maria Carmen Chardonnay San Rafael Argentina 2021 Master
Tapanappa Wines Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay Piccadilly Valley Australia 2021 Gold
Marisco Vineyards Limited The Pioneer Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2018 Gold
Church Road Church Road 1 Chardonnay Hawke’s Bay New Zealand 2021 Gold
Marimar Estate La Masia Chardonnay Russian River Valley USA 2020 Gold
Hoosegg by Philip Shaw Everything is Going Accordingly to Plan Chardonnay Orange Australia 2018 Gold
De Bortoli Wines Regional Reserve Chardonnay Yarra Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards The Mira Chardonnay Stellenbosch South Africa 2020 Silver
The Lane Vineyard Beginning Chardonnay Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Silver
Hahn Family Wines Hahn SLH Chardonnay California USA 2019 Silver
Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Chardonnay Colline Teatine IGT Abruzzo Italy 2020 Silver
Tapanappa Wines Tiers Vineyard 1.5M Chardonnay Piccadilly Valley Australia 2021 Silver
Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay Victoria Australia 2016 Silver
Orlando Wines Lyndale Chardonnay Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Silver
Tapanappa Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay South Australia Australia 2020 Silver
Marisco Vineyards Limited The Pioneer Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2020 Silver
Nals Margreid Baron Salvadori Chardonnay Riserva Alto Adige Italy 2019 Bronze
Fratelli Wines Fratelli J’Noon White Maharashtra India 2020 Bronze
Marisco Vineyards Limited The Pioneer Chardonnay Marlborough New Zealand 2019 Bronze
Copain Les Voisins Chardonnay Anderson Valley USA 2017 Bronze
£50-£70
Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards The Single Tree Chardonnay Stellenbosch South Africa 2019 Gold
Hoosegg by Philip Shaw Hoosegg Seven Heaven Chardonnay Orange Australia 2018 Gold
Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay Margaret River Australia 2020 Silver
De Bortoli Wines Single Vineyard A5 Chardonnay Yarra Valley Australia 2021 Silver
The Lane Vineyard Heritage Chardonnay Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Silver
£70-£100
Capensis Capensis Western Cape South Africa 2018 Master
Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards Uva Mira Icon Chardonnay Stellenbosch South Africa 2019 Silver
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Adelaide Hills Australia 2021 Silver

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Global Chardonnay Masters provides a chance for your wines to star.

The 2022 competition was judged on 9 November at Jamie’s Adam’s Court, London, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding in their field received the ultimate accolade – the title of Chardonnay Master. This report features the medal winners only.

Please visit the Global Wine Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

Read more

Top 20 Chardonnays of 2022

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