The Best of the World - Chardonnayh Forum

World class wines will be on offer, leading international experts on hand and triumphant winners celebrated at the 2010 International Chardonnay Challenge this month.

It's the 10th anniversary of the very celebrated event, and organisers have put together an action-packed run of events, stacked with some of the best in the business.

The Chardonnay Forum is always a highlight, and this year some rather special French wines will be presented by Riversun and ENTAV-INRA®, featuring a flight of great white Burgundies, blended from old estate vines plus new French chardonnay clones.

Six selections from Louis Latour, J.M. Boillot and Rollin Père et Fils offer participants a rare opportunity to assess two wines from the same vintage from each producer, including:

• Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru “La Grand Montagne” 2008 (Domaine Louis Latour)
• Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Referts” 2007 (Domaine Jean-Marc Boillot)
• Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2007 (Domaine Rollin Père et Fils)

ICC event organiser Prue Younger says it's a unique tasting opportunity to be able to sample such wines that sell for up to $250 a bottle.

The day long forum – set down for Friday, May 28, and including lunch at three of Gisborne's top eateries – celebrates chardonnay in all its glory, with a top-flight panel on hand to present the latest in information.

Escarpment Vineyard co-owner and winemaker Larry McKenna, a bit of a regular at the ICC, will chair the forum, with the impressive guest speaker line-up including David Cox (NZ Winegrowers UK manager – London), Jamie Goode, UK wine writer, Paul Atwood (Leeuwin Estate – Margaret River, Western Australia), Dave Hanson (The Neilson Company – New Zealand), Andrew Fleming (Coldstream Hills – Yarra Valley, Australia), Olivier Yobregat (ENTAV-INRA® – Montpellier, France) and Nick Hoskins (Riversun Nursery – New Zealand).

Friday evening sees the best of the best honoured at the Gala Awards Dinner. MC John Hawkesby is always entertaining, and the dry wit of chairman of judges Jane Skilton will no doubt add another dimension to what promises to be a fantastic evening, with music from exciting up and comer Shaun Preston.

Key ICC people from the past decade are special guests, and include the original organiser of the event, former Gisborne man Kim Nankivell and judges from past years.

“While we are very much celebrating the champions of 2010, it is a chance to reflect on our stars from the past 10 years,” says Younger.

Past champion wine of show winners of this prestigious event are -

2009 Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2007
2007 Marsden Estate Black Rocks Chardonnay 2006
2006 Landmark Estate Earls Chardonnay Reserve 2004
2005 Gunn Estate Skeetfield Chardonnay 2004
2004 Allied Domecq Wines NZ Champagne Deutz Blanc de Blancs 1996
2003 West Brook Blue Ridge Chardonnay 2002
2002 Spencer Hill Estates Coastal Ridge Nelson Chardonnay 2001
2001 Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2000
2000 Spencer Hill Estate Tasman Bay 1996

“This year's event will be like no other,” says Younger. “With those two big events on the same day, it is the perfect opportunity to make an outing of it – spend the day and night indulging in chardonnay, which continues to be the most widely consumed variety in the world.”

And having the ICC right on Gisborne's doorstep gives local people the chance to be involved in a world-class event without leaving their own backyards.

For more information and ticket purchases then head to www.internationalchardonnaychallenge.com

Contact
Prue Younger - Competition Director
P O Box 353, Gisborne, New Zealand.
Tel: +64 21 276 5484
Fax: +64 6 867 1475

Diana Dobson - Publicity Manager
Tel: +64 21 2220145

Email: info@internationalchardonnaychallenge.com