Yarra Yering Chardonnay 2021

From the Yarra Valley, in the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia, this Chardonnay comes from the historic Yarra Yering estate, established in Gruyere in 1969. The vineyard stretches across the Warramate foothills on a north-facing slope, enjoying a cool climate that favours slow ripening and the preservation of natural acidity. The ancient soils, composed notably of grey clay loam and gravel, offer remarkable drainage and contribute to the precision and finesse of the wine.

The grapes are harvested by hand, then chilled overnight in a cold room before whole-bunch pressing. The must ferments in 228-litre French oak barrels, 30% of them new, through the combined action of native and selected yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided to preserve the natural tension and freshness of the Chardonnay. The wine is then aged for 10 months in the estate's cool underground cellars before blending, followed by a further four months in stainless-steel tanks on fine lees.

This wine reveals notes of pear, lemon zest, green apple, white peach and wet stone, with nuances of toasted hazelnut and a delicate saline touch. On the palate, the attack is precise and elegant, carried by lively acidity that underlines the fruit and brings plenty of energy. The texture, both ample and silky, rests on a fine chalky frame and lovely tension. The long, persistent finish combines freshness, minerality and depth.

Australia began making wine more than two centuries ago. The result is a country rich in old vines, multi-generational winemaking families and a deep-rooted knowledge of and respect for craftsmanship. Add to that a thirst for exploration and innovation, a fearless attitude and a varied portfolio of 65 wine regions across many climates, and you have the makings of an extraordinary wine country like few others. Australia burst onto export markets in the 1980s and has since offered the whole world vibrant, fruity wines of exceptional value. Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, the story of Australian wine was dominated by over-concentrated examples of Shiraz, Grenache and red blends. Between these two extremes lies the diversity of Australia's high-quality and regional wines, which has always existed. Australian viticulture is concentrated mainly along the southern ocean fringe, where conditions are cooler. There are four main wine regions, located around the major cities: Western Australia around Perth, South Australia around Adelaide, Victoria around Melbourne and New South Wales around Sydney. The country is one of the world's largest wine producers and was the world's 4th-largest exporter in 2011. This recent development has made Australia one of the most prominent countries for the quality of its wines. You can taste Australian wines all over the country. Each Australian region has its own grape varieties. Australian wines are defined by their grape variety, unlike French wines, which are defined by their terroir.