Australian Chardonnay is World’s Best

Cullen scoops top prizes from 10,983 entries in world’s biggest wine show

Australian Chardonnay is still the world’s best according to judges at the world’s biggest and most prestigious wine show, The Decanter World Wine Awards. London’s Royal Opera House was the venue for last night’s unveiling of the 28 ultimate world beating wines from the 10,983 entries in the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards. WA’s Cullen beat hundreds of Chardonnay’s from around the world to be presented with the international Trophy for Chardonnay over $18 for their 2007 Kevin John Chardonnay.

Despite the popularity of Sauvignon Blanc in recent years Chardonnay remains one of the world’s top selling and most widely planted varieties so the Chardonnay category is among the most fiercely contested in international wine competitions. Decanter’s team of expert judges described the 2007 Cullen Kevin John as having ‘Flavours of lemon, grapefruit and peaches bisected by lovely acidity and beautiful minerality with very good complexity. Incisive and exciting.’

The four tough rounds of judging to decide the International Trophy winners saw Cullen’s wine beat the best Chardonnays from over twenty countries including France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand, the USA, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and even China. Despite Australian wines seeing stiff competition from South American wines in many export markets Cullen showed that Australian Chardonnay, which is generally credited with kick starting the Australian wine boom in the UK and USA, is still unbeatable.

Cullen’s triumph wasn’t the only Aussie win of the evening with Barossa’s Grant Burge winning the Sweet Fortified trophy for their 20 Year Old Tawny described as having, ‘fantastic tangy rancio nose and superb concentration. Rich – very rich! – but all in balance, with voluptuous sweetness, exquisite poise and a very long finish.’

With less than 0.25% of wines entered winning an International Trophy Cullen and Grant Burge have joined an elite rank of world class producers recognised by the world’s most prestigious and toughest wine show.

Wine lovers will be able to try some of the winning wines for themselves as Decanter hosts tastings this October in Sydney, Perth and Melbourne. Decanter has teamed up with three of Australia’s best wine bars which will be exclusively pouring Decanter World Wine Award medal winning wines by the glass during the month of October. To try some of the winning wines for yourself visit:

Glass Brasserie and Wine Bar
The Hilton
488 George St, Sydney
glassbrasserie.com.au

Must Wine Bar
519 Beaufort Street
Highgate, Perth WA
must.com.au

The Palace by Luke Mangan
505 City Road
South Melbourne
palacehotelmelbourne.com.au