Top 10 Chardonnays under £20

This year saw the drinks business build on its successful Masters series with the introduction of a competition dedicated to one of the world’s most widely planted grape varieties: Chardonnay.

The Drinks Business Global Chardonnay Masters stands out for its assessment of wines purely by grape variety rather than region. Such a format makes the competition particularly suited for this variety, which manages to be not only widely loved, but often maligned or simply misunderstood by consumers.

Divided only by price bracket and, for ease of judging, whether the style was oaked or unoaked, the blind tasting format allowed wines to be assessed without prejudice about their country of origin.

Wines were scored out of 100, with those gaining over 95 points being awarded the top title of Master. Those earning over 90 points were given a Gold, those over 85 points a Silver and those over 80 points a Bronze.

The wines were judged by Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers over two days on 23 and 24 September 2013 at private members club Broadway House in London.

The judges were: Sarah Abbott MW, wine educator & consultant; Jo Ahearne MW, winemaking consultant; Richard Bampfield MW, consultant; Anthony Barne MW, head of wine, Bonhams UK; Beverley Blanning MW, author & journalist; Alex Hunt MW, purchasing director, Berkmann Wine Cellars; Keith Isaac MW, general manager, Castelnau Wine Agencies; Justin Knock MW, winemaking consultant; Rupert Millar, the drinks business; Sebastian Payne MW, buyer, The Wine Society; Hugo Rose MW, consultant; Gabriel Savage, the drinks business; Ronan Sayburn MS, head of wine, Dorchester Collection UK; Patrick Schmitt, the drinks business

The full list of Master, Gold and Silver medal winners appeared in November’s issue of the drinks business, but turn the page to see the top Chardonnays for under £20 – including many for less than £10.

10. Crossroads Milestone Series Chardonnay 2011

Proving that it’s not just New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which is able to offer affordable white wine drinking pleasure, Crossroads Wines is making this benchmark Chardonnay from its vineyards in Hawke’s Bay.

9. Paul Cluver Elgin Chardonnay 2011

From his base 70km south-east of Cape Town, Paul Cluver is taking his family’s wine estate to ever greater heights and helping to put the cool-climate region of Elgin on the international wine map at the same time.

8. De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Chardonnay 2012

Another producer showing that Australia is producing some of the world’s most exciting, good value Chardonnays at the moment is Yarra Valley’s De Bortoli Wines. Not only is this a third generation family-owned business, but the entire De Bortoli family is heavily involved, whether in their company’s viticulture, winemaking or export divisions.

7. Creation Chardonnay 2012

Just a decade after it was founded in the Hemel-en-Aarde valley, Creation Wines is making a mark on the international market with great value offerings such as this Chardonnay, which shone out from a crowded category of Chardonnays under £10.

6. McGuigan Reserve Chardonnay 2012

Spend five minutes talking to Australian Vintage chief winemaker & CEO and it’s difficult to avoid touching on his guiding principle: “the wine is the hero”. The application of this approach across his range is evident here, as the brand proves its ability to outstrip some fierce competition in the sub-£10 price bracket.

5. Nosio Castel Firmian Chardonnay DOC Trentino 2012

Italy may not be the first place many people would look for Chardonnay, but this producer offers a glimpse of what its country can achieve with the variety. Part of the Mezzacorona group, Nosio has managed to produce this Gold medal winner for less than £10.

4. Delaire Graff Chardonnay 2012

Under the guiding hand of winemaker Morné Vrey, this historic Stellenbosch estate has reached new heights in recent years. Its 2012 Chardonnay, which retails in the UK for under £10, encapsulates the quality – and value – we can now expect from this corner of South Africa.

3. Jacob’s Creek Adelaide Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2012

As shown by this list, Australian wine is really on a roll and it’s not just the most expensive wines that are creating excitement among wine lovers. The Chardonnay Masters judges were so impressed with this wine that it was one of a handful of entries to be awarded the highest accolade of Master.

2. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Wild Ferment 2011

Own label wines are becoming an ever more important part of UK retailers’ portfolios but this example proves they deserve every bit as much recognition as more familiar branded options. In fact, read the small print and this wine sports a strong pedigree from Yarra Valley’s Yering Station. Even better, it’s priced at less than a tenner.

1. Wolf Blass

It may be one of Australia’s largest, best known brands, but by winning top awards for not just one but three of its wines, Wolf Blass proves it has the quality to back up this high profile. Alongside the Master for its Gold Label Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2008, the producer won Gold medals for its President’s Selection Chardonnay 2010 and Gold Label Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2012.

Chief winemaker Chris Hatcher won further recognition for his work in keeping Wolf Blass at the top of its game when he was crowned Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition 2013.