There are many grape varieties that perform well on their home turf but struggle to reach the heights abroad. Chardonnay, by comparison, is the consummate traveller.
From its spiritual homeland of Burgundy in France, chardonnay has crisscrossed the globe and found a niche in almost every corner of the world.
It can seem that virtually everywhere wine is made, you'll find chardonnay - not that its journey has always been successful.
Boredom with the ubiquity of this grape saw many in the so-called ''New World'' abandon the variety for other pleasures, while in the ''European Old World'', a reawakening of interest in ''native varieties'' has seen chardonnay cast somewhat in the role of interloper.
Today in New Zealand, chardonnay has never been better and is in the midst of a resurgence: not that you need to tell our most successful producers of the variety that.
They have been quietly producing fabulous examples year in, year out that consistently sell out.
Depending on the region in which it is grown and the style the winemaker seeks, it offers a panoply of flavours ranging from citrus, white peach and nectarine through to banana, pineapple and tropical fruit, with everything in between.
Chardonnay can also deftly show the influence of the winemaker with characters such as bread dough, grilled nuts, lanolin, toast, vanilla and more, all coming from the winemaker's hand.
Generally more textural and weighty, Chardonnay can work very well with food and accompanies white meats well. and it often has sufficient stuffing to pair well with red meats.
For many fans though, wine o'clock time remains simply, time for a ''chardy''.
Apart from its day job as a dry, white wine, it also forms a formidable duo with pinot noir as the base of our methode traditionelle bubblies, but that is another story.
Price: $70-$75
Rating: Outstanding
Citrus notes lead to oak toastiness and spice.
Concentrated palate with fabulous texture and balance.
This remains fresh in the mouth.
Spicy oak, a touch of coconut and hints of pineapple; matchstick characters coming with time.
Layers of flavour and complexity.
Excellent length with a zing on the finish.
Marvellous.
Price: $59.99
Rating: Outstanding
Shy on the nose at first with hints of orange/mandarin, stonefruit and toastiness.
Mealy/oatmeally palate with a stony, minerality.
This one really blossomed with time, building and building in the glass as the white peach, stonefruit and subtle toastiness grew.
Delicacy, poise and nuance here rather than sheer heft.
Fabulous.
Price: $39.99
Rating: Excellent
Powerful matchstick notes with evident oak underlying.
Lemony citrus and peach.
Very rich and weighty palate with ripe citrus and tropical fruit notes.
Oatmeal and grilled nuts: butterscotch with time.
Nice texture and very mouthfilling.
Yet another wine with great complexity; this one more oak-driven and hefty.
Seasons - By Alison Lambert - Available for purchase now!
The Otago Daily Times and Alison have collaborated to bring you her first cookbook – Seasons.
This book is the ultimate year-round cookbook. Seasons is filled with versatile recipes designed to inspire creativity in the kitchen, offering plenty of ideas for delicious accompaniments and standout dishes that highlight the best of what each season has to offer.
$49.99 each. Purchase here.
$44.99 for ODT subscribers. Get your discount code here.
