Glen Carlou scoops Top Chardonnay Award at the Novare South African Terroir Wine Awards
Glen Carlou was awarded the National Certificate for the Top Chardonnay for our 2017 Glen Carlou Chardonnay at the recent Novare Terroir Wine Awards held at Anura Vineyards, along with being awarded the Top Chardonnay and Top Merlot for the Paarl wine region.
The Novare South African Terroir Wine Awards honours the wines which truly portray South Africa’s different wine growing areas. All entries must be certified Wine of Origin from a specific single vineyard, estate, ward or small district not divided into wards.
The 2017 Glen Carlou Chardonnay is made from fruit sourced from 15 separate vineyards, each picked at different stages and fermented separately with different commercial yeasts and oak regimes to enable a variety of different blending options. Each of these small Chardonnay batches are vinified separately until the final blend.
The wine expresses flavours of lemon citrus, almonds, green apple, delicate pear and melon notes, all evident on both the nose and palate. This elegant and intriguing Chardonnay is supported by crisp acidity, finely grained tannins, a soft oak spice and floral undertones.
Said manager of the awards, Charl Theron: “Because it’s all about terroir, the wines are judged according to quality combined with distinctive characteristics created by the soil and climate in the specific area. It was clear that the winemakers did a lot of work with these wines to portray their origin without sacrificing quality. Only the terrain and a dedicated viticulturalist and winemaker can produce these results.”
The 2017 Chardonnay is the 30th vintage release as well as being the first release from winemaker Johnnie Calitz’s first vintage. “I am honoured that we have been judged the best National Chardonnay at this year’s Terroir Wine Awards with a wine such as our highly regarded Chardonnay. Especially for this milestone vintage, celebrating 30 years of Chardonnay,” said Calitz.
Set for release in the first week of August, this delicious wine can be found in fine wine stores as well as on our online store.