Explore 4: Chardonnay - The Shape-Shifter of the Wine World Few grapes wear as many disguises as Chardonnay. It can be rich or razor-sharp, buttery or mineral, tropical or taut, a true chameleon of terroir and technique. Our Explore 4: Chardonnay case is all about celebrating that versatility, with bottles that show just how wildly different (and delicious) this grape can be. From the cool, textural layers of Marlborough to the golden altitude of Stellenbosch, the alpine elegance of Slovenia to the limestone precision of North Canterbury, each wine here tells a different story of craftsmanship and place. These are Chardonnays that stretch the grape’s boundaries, wines of character, confidence, and charm. Whether you love your Chardonnay lean and mineral or full and creamy, this line-up proves there’s no such thing as “just another Chardonnay.” This is the grape that can do it all, and here’s your passport to its finest destinations. Here’s what’s in the case: 2022 Amped Chardonnay, Spoke, Marlborough, New Zealand The Textural RebelRichly layered yet beautifully restrained, this cool-climate Marlborough Chardonnay hums with apple, stone fruit and almond, balanced by a fine mineral core. Silky, savoury and complex, proof that New Zealand Chardonnay is having its quiet revolution. 2022 Chardonnay ‘Banghoek Reserve’, Delaire Graff, Stellenbosch, South Africa The Golden AltitudeElegant and luminous, this high-altitude Stellenbosch Chardonnay dazzles with peach, lemon curd and toasted brioche. Creamy texture meets vibrant acidity, finishing long and mineral. Opulent, poised, and effortlessly sophisticated. 2021 Chardonnay, Edi Simčič, Goriška Brda, Slovenia The Alpine ClassicBright and graceful, this Slovenian Chardonnay opens with pear, apple and lemon peel, framed by gentle floral notes and a touch of honey. Fresh and balanced with a clean, lingering finish, understated elegance from the hills of Brda. 2022 North Canterbury Chardonnay, Pyramid Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand The Limestone WhisperCitrus zest, grilled nuts and saline minerality define this beautifully pure North Canterbury Chardonnay. Textural and precise with a creamy mid-palate, it’s a wine of quiet intensity, all focus, balance and finesse.
