The London Wine Competition, known for its rigorous standards and emphasis on quality, has once again brought some of the world’s finest wines into the spotlight. In 2024, the competition highlighted exceptional Chardonnays that stood out for their excellence in quality, value for money, and packaging. This article delves into the best Chardonnay wines of 2024 from the London Wine Competition and explores the top Chardonnay-producing regions, providing insights into why these wines and their terroirs are revered globally.

Unique Characteristics of Chardonnay

Chardonnay is often hailed as a winemaker’s grape due to its versatility and adaptability to various climates. This adaptability allows winemakers the creative freedom to craft it into either a light and elegant wine or a full-bodied, buttery one. Typically, Chardonnay is a dry, medium- to full-bodied wine with moderate acidity and alcohol content. Its flavour profile can range from crisp apple and zesty lemon to tropical notes of papaya and pineapple, often accompanied by vanilla when aged in oak.

The primary flavours of Chardonnay vary widely, from citrusy lemon zest and chalky minerality to rich baked apple and tropical fruits like pineapple. The climate and harvest timing significantly influence these flavours. Cooler climates and early harvests tend to emphasise citrus and acidity, while warmer climates and later harvests result in riper, sweeter grapes with reduced acidity. Additionally, Chardonnay develops secondary flavours during the winemaking process. Oak-ageing introduces notes of coconut, vanilla, and baking spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, while malolactic fermentation imparts a buttery character, enhancing the wine’s creamy texture.

Learn From the Winners

The London Wine Competition not only celebrates the best wines but also provides a platform to learn about the success behind these exceptional wines through their winner showcase videos. These videos offer a glimpse into the winemaking philosophies, the winery’s story, and the people behind the celebrated wines.

Top Chardonnay Picks from London Wine Competition 2024

1. Singlefile 'The Vivienne' Denmark Chardonnay, Gold Medal (96 Points)

This 2021 vintage from Singlefile Wines in Australia stands out with its elegant and complex nose, featuring brioche and butter notes. On the palate, it offers rich flavours of vanilla, butter, and cream, complemented by well-integrated acidity. Securing the title of Best in Show by Varietal at the London Wine Competition 2024, the Singlefile 'The Vivienne' Denmark Chardonnay is a top performer for all the right reasons.

Image TItle & Source: Singlefile 'The Vivienne' Denmark Chardonnay

2. Sandy Bay Estate Chardonnay, Gold Medal (95 Points)

The Sandy Bay Estate Chardonnay from the 2022 vintage, produced by Tasman Vinters in Australia, showcases aromas of citrus and stone fruit on the nose. On the palate, it reveals tropical fruit flavours with hints of vanilla, medium acidity, and a satisfying medium finish. This gold medalist from the London Wine Competition 2024 is a testament to refined winemaking.

Image Title & Source: Sandy Bay Estate Chardonnay

3. Trinity Hill Single Vineyard 125 Gimblett Chardonnay, Gold Medal (95 Points)

From New Zealand, the Trinity Hill Single Vineyard 125 Gimblett Chardonnay (2022 vintage) impresses with its great concentration and stone fruit characteristics on the nose. The palate is marked by intense flavours of lime and grapefruit, well-balanced acidity, and a long finish. This wine not only secured a gold medal but also earned the title of Best in Show by Country at the London Wine Competition 2024.

Image Title & Source: Trinity Hill Single Vineyard 125 Gimblett Chardonnay

4. Cat Amongst the Pigeons Fat Cat Eden Valley Chardonnay, Gold Medal (94 Points)

The 2022 vintage of the Cat Amongst the Pigeons Fat Cat Eden Valley Chardonnay, produced by Pinnacle Drinks in Australia, is rich with stone fruit aromas and citrus notes on the nose. The palate offers a creamy texture with hints of oak, delivering a well-balanced wine with smooth texture and good complexity. This Chardonnay earned a gold medal at the London Wine Competition 2024.

Image Title & Source: Cat Amongst the Pigeons Fat Cat Eden Valley Chardonnay

5. Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay, Gold Medal (94 Points)

Another standout from New Zealand, the Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay (2022 vintage) is noted for its tropical fruit and citrus aromas, with pineapple and lemon on the nose. The palate is full-bodied with intense flavours of peach and melon, finished with refreshing zesty lime. This wine's excellence was recognized with a gold medal at the London Wine Competition 2024.

Image Title and Source: Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay

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Top Chardonnay Producing Regions

France

France is home to the world’s most revered Chardonnays, particularly from the Burgundy region. Burgundy, located in eastern France, is famed for its prestigious Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, which are labelled by geography rather than grape variety. In the cool northwest of Burgundy, Chablis produces complex, dry Chardonnays known for their high acidity, citrus, green fruit, and distinctive flinty minerality. Chardonnay also plays a crucial role in Champagne, where it is blended with Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to create the region’s famous sparkling wines.

Italy

Italy’s first DOC Chardonnay region, Alto Adige, was established in 1984. Here, Chardonnays are typically medium-bodied and balanced, featuring melon, stone fruit, and bread notes alongside a citrusy tang. Italian Chardonnay is also a key component in spumante wines from regions like Lombardia, Friuli, and Trentino. In Puglia, oak-aged Chardonnays are common, while Tuscany and Piemonte produce crisp, even-keeled Chardonnays that are highly regarded for their freshness and balance.

New Zealand

While Sauvignon Blanc dominates New Zealand’s wine industry, Chardonnay is gaining prominence across the country, from Nelson and Hawke’s Bay in the north to Marlborough and Central Otago in the south. In the northern regions, the warm climate and abundant sunlight produce fuller-bodied, fruit-forward Chardonnays. In contrast, the cooler temperatures of Marlborough result in leaner, more acidic styles, demonstrating the diversity of Chardonnay produced in New Zealand.

Australia

Australian Chardonnays have evolved significantly over the years. While they were once known for their big, fruity, and creamy flavours due to extensive oak-ageing and sunny vineyard sites, many Australian winemakers have shifted towards producing crisp, balanced Chardonnays in cooler-climate regions like Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Mornington Peninsula. These regions, along with the moderate climate of Margaret River, are now recognized for consistently producing high-quality Chardonnays with a Chablis-like style. Tasmanian Chardonnays are also noteworthy, offering fruit-forward flavours balanced with refreshing citrus notes.

For wine enthusiasts looking to explore the finest Chardonnays or for collectors aiming to add stellar wines to their collection, take a look at our complete list of winning chardonnays at the London Wine Competitions 2024.

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