Yay for Chardonnay! International Chardonnay Day at Stellenzicht
International Chardonnay Day is a celebration of one of the most popular and versatile white wine varietals in the world. This special day, which falls on 23rd of May, is an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to come together and appreciate the unique characteristics of Chardonnay.
What makes Chardonnay so special?
Chardonnay is known for its wide range of flavors and styles, depending on where it is grown and how it is produced. From crisp and unoaked to rich and buttery, Chardonnay can please a variety of palates. In fact, Chardonnay is the most widely planted white grape variety in the world, with vineyards in regions such as Burgundy, California, Australia, and New Zealand and South Africa.
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Fun facts about Chardonnay
- Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety that is believed to have originated in the Burgundy region of France.Â
- Chardonnay is often aged in oak barrels, which can impart flavors of vanilla, caramel, and spice to the wine.Â
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Chardonnay is a key component in the production of Champagne, where it adds richness and depth to the sparkling wine.
How to celebrate International Chardonnay Day
There are many ways to celebrate International Chardonnay Day. At Stellenzicht, we hosted our much-anticipated Chardonnay Long Table, themed: Shades of Chardonnay.
The celebrations were held at the Stellenzicht Wine Pod, with guests looking forward to a 3-course meal by Chef Gustaaf Boschoff. Guests included some of Stellenzicht's best clients, wine journalists, members of the Stellenbosch Wine Route, as well as loved local bloggers and influencers!Â
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Guests were welcomed with the Thunderstone Chardonnay 2022 vintage, which was a treat for all as this vintage was specially taken from our library stock. This vintage paired beautifully with the elegant and super-tasty canapé's that were served as our guests arrived and took their seats.
Canapé's photographed include Fire Baked Saldanha Bay Oysters, Chicken Mousseline, Organic Pumpkin Custard and a Kingklip Beignet.
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Our wine pairing experience was paired to perfection with the Thunderstone Chardonnay 2023 and the Acheulean Chardonnay 2023, both incredibly elegant with their own distinct styles of winemaking showing.Â
The starter was a Foraged Mushroom Risotto with wild rosemary, pine nut, parmesan. It was paired with the Thunderstone Chardonnay 2023
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 This fruit-driven wine is an enjoyable balance of vibrant aromas and layers of texture from the extended lees contact.
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The main was Free Range Chicken with sweet potato, cous-cous, apricot, saffron, pistachio and lemongrass. It was paired with the Acheulean Chardonnay 2023.
The nose is driven by fresh stone fruit and citrus. The zesty minerality and acidity is imparted by amphora clay vessels. A delicate oak embraces a playful aromatics.
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On International Chardonnay Day, we took the time to savor a few glasses of our beloved Chardonnay, appreciating the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into each bottle made by L'Ré Hughes and her team. Cheers to Chardonnay!