SA makes Chardonnay du Monde top 10

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The international competition recognises the world's best Chardonnay wines by awarding them with reliable and representative medals. Some wines are rigorously equal thus the 2014 Top 10 includes 17 wines.

The international panel of judges tasted 794 wines from 40 countries and the South African wines share the top position with Australia, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland.

Durbanville cellarmaster, Martin Moore, says the 2012 Rhinofields Chardonnay is a superb wine and he believes the technique used of rolling the barrels has contributed to the complexity of the wine. He recommends it with creamy sauce-based dishes, cured ham, salmon and Eisbein. White winemaker, Gunther Kellerman, adds that the season brought very little rain making the harvest of 2012 one of the best they have had in years. The wine is available from wine shops and the cellar for about R100 per bottle.

South African results

• Gold Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Chardonnay 2012
  
• Gold Bon Courage Chardonnay Prestige Cuvée 2013
  
• Gold Rickety Bridge Chardonnay 2013
  
• Gold Tokara Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2012
  
• Silver Môreson Mercator Premium Chardonnay 2012
  
• Silver Fleur du Cap Chardonnay Bergkelder Selection 2013
  
• Silver Eikendal Chardonnay 2012
  
• Silver Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut The Ring Blanc de Blancs 2009
  
• Silver Hartenberg Chardonnay 2010
  
• Silver Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2012
  
• Silver Riebeek Cellars Collection Chardonnay 2013
  
• Bronze Boschendal Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2012
  
• Bronze Fleur de Cap Unfiltered Chardonnay 2013