Having a chardy was almost a national past time several years ago – and now it is making a comeback.
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It's an exciting time but it's more about rolling our sleeves up than rolling them down."
- Tom Ward, winemaker
The smooth white wine was huge in the 1980s but tastes changed as drinkers sought new varieties.
However a masterclass in chardonnay appreciation in Orange on Wednesday was told the variety was back.
Wine Australia senior analyst Mark Rowley addressed about 60 local producers at the Department of Primary Industries’ masterclass.
The day included tastings, case studies of Orange wine region chardonnays, an explanation of varieties and advice on how winemakers can share in a $50 million government push to export wine and encourage international tourists to drink our wine starting next January.
Mr Rowley said Australia’s key export markets for chardonnay included the UK, Canada and the US.
Swinging Bridge Wines owner and NSW Wine Industry Association president Tom Ward said hard work, clever decision-making and patience would pay off for chardonnay growers.
“It’s an exciting time but it’s more about rolling our sleeves up than rolling them down,” he said.
“It takes a lot of work.”