Chardonnay Day in Hemel-en-Aarde

On Chardonnay Day (26 May), the producers of Hemel-en-Aarde spoiled a small group of guests to a celebration of Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnay at Spookfontein. The day kicked off with a tasting of all 16 producers showing their latest release Chardonnays. This was followed by a four-course lunch at Spookfontein Restaurant, where each course was paired with four different Hemel-en-Aarde Chardonnays.

"It’s hard to spot the brightest stars," sommelier Higgo Jacobs commented after the tasting.

"The consistency, in fact, is staggering. Sure, there are the distinctions of site and winemaking, but the wines all share a nervy acidity, pristine purity, daresay mineral complexity and savoury, dry length. The use of winery tools is wisely minimalist to allow the site to shine. There can be no more doubt that the terroir here is world class for Chardonnay." 

Wines tasted include Ataraxia 2020, Bosman Upper Hemel-en-Aarde 2021, Bouchard Finlayson Missionvale 2021, Cap Maritime 2019, Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2021, Hasher Marimist 2020, Lelie van Saron 2017, Restless River Ava Marie 2019, Tesselaarsdal 2021, and others.

Photos: Nicole du Toit, Nicole Du Toit Photography