Good Pair Days
Wines & More
Learn
Gifts
Rewards
Early Rider Chardonnay 2024
Grape Type Pronunciation: "shar-don-ay"
Primary flavours
Lemon
Nectarine
Almonds
Spice
Toast
Details
There is a great wave of modern Chardonnay winemaking underway in Australia and this wine is a perfect case of this new wave. There is a touch of under-ripe nectarine with almond and lean citrus notes balanced with toasty spice. This will have you wondering why you ever stopped drinking Chardonnay!

Origin: Burgundy, in eastern France. Mainly Grown In: France, USA, Australia, Italy, Chile, South Africa, Argentina, Spain, NZ… all over, really! Key Facts: Chardonnay is one flexible, sassy grape. It grew up in a place called Burgundy in France, and has travelled to California, Australia, other parts of France, South America... all over the world basically. It can be zesty and fresh in cooler climates, and richer and creamier in warmer ones. It's also one of the few white varieties that performs just as well when treated with oak as it does without. This winemaking change can also affect the body and texture of the wine, leading to a totally different drinking experience. So remember, not all Chardonnays are alike, but we've picked only the best ones for you :) Fun Fact: During the winemaking process many Chardonnays go through a chemical change called malolactic fermentation (MLF for short). Ready to get a little nerdy? In the MLF process, malic acid (which is the same kind of acid found in a green apple) is converted into lactic acid (the same as the kind of acid found in milk). This chemical conversion is what makes the wine taste and feel as creamy and buttery. But don't worry, there's no actual lactose involved :)
Read more
Taste Profile
This wine’s tasting notes.
Sweetness
lowmediumhigh
Body
lightmediumfull
Fruitiness
nonesomelots
Tannins
lowmediumhigh
Acidity
lowmediumhigh
Oak
nonesomelots
Alcohol
low (under 12%)medium (12-14%)high (14%+)
Taste Summary
This wine’s tasting notes are leaning towards medium bodied, low sweetness, with medium acidity, some fruitiness, low tannins, medium alcohol and some oak.
Specs
Region
Limestone Coast
country
Australia
Grape type
Chardonnay
Wine Maker
Hidden Sea
Alcohol
13.3%
Vintage
2024
Cellar period
1-3 years
Closure
Screw Cap
Production method
Vegan
Temperature
Chilled 8°C-10°C
State
SA
Pairing guide
This Early Rider Chardonnay is like a ray of sunshine - it perfectly captures everything we love about more modern iterations of this timeless variety. This bottle is going to pair beautifully with creamy pasta dishes - especially those featuring cured pork like guanciale, salmon or tuna - and with roast poultry, avocado salads and richer rice and seafood combos. It’s also excellent with coconut-based curries, stir-fry dishes with cashews and bamboo shoots, and green vegetables dishes and salads.
Read more
Food
Seafood
Creamy Pasta
Cheese
Tastes
Creamy
Rich
Moods
Always A Winner
You'll know when
Seasons
Winter
Recipe Matches
Wine region
Limestone Coast, Australia
The Limestone Coast is a large wine zone in the south-east of South Australia which has six wine regions that comprise the Limestone Coast; Coonawarra, Mount Benson, Mount Gambier, Padthaway, Robe and Wrattonbully. The Limestone Coast is in a unique position with cool winds and ocean waters throughout the summer months thanks to an oceanic event called the Bonney Upwelling which helps keep the vineyards cool during the hot summer months. The Limestone Coast produces a wide range of quality wines from classic Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in Coonawarra to cool-climate varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Robe and Mount Gambier. It is truly a versatile area and one of the backbones of the Australian wine industry.
Read more

CONTINUE BUILDING MY BOX