The Official Jennifer Hansen Website

Thoughts, news and updates from writer & media personality, Jennifer Hansen

Hunting down the ‘BEST Chardonnay in the WORLD’!!

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Newschick

The BEST chardonnay in the world!

It took five months and a journey half way across the world to find it, but my mission is complete – I have tracked down the BEST CHARDONNAY in the world.

My extraordinarily patient husband has long endured my obsession with chardonnay. Now, I’m not talking about ‘any old wine’ here – but a beautiful, finely tuned, buttery-oaked, liquid gold piece of perfection. An excellent wine, to me, is nectar from the gods. And I abhor Sauvignon Blanc – EWWW, let me spit to the ground right now with contempt.

So at many a function or restaurant when I can’t find a decent wine, Fletch will give me ‘that look’. You know, the ‘Don’t have a hissy fit, shut up right now and don’t complain,’ look. I give him a LOOK right back. The one that says ‘Sure, I’ll suck it up but I’m NOT happy.’ I won’t say it ruins the evening, but it becomes a less fabulous experience…

I truly wish I liked beer. Life would be so much easier.

But in balance, when I DO find a decent chardonnay, the joy is extreme. I thank the people who picked the grapes, the talented wine-makers who spent years perfecting their craft and the restaurateur who had the good sense to stock the stuff.

Such was the experience last year when Fletch and I were spoilt rotten, and taken to the uber cool GAUCHO CITY restaurant in London, by Channel Five. (Thank you, Greg Barnett!)

Pin It

Gaucho City restaurant in London

As you can probably guess from the chairs swathed in cowhide, it’s not a venue for vegans. Specialising in Argentinean steaks, guests are invited to choose their own particular cut of meat from a well-presented tray that’s brought to your table. And while I also enjoy a rich glass of red, (and did with my steak), I opted for a chardonnay to have with our entree.

One sip and I was hooked. ‘WOW. WOW and WOW!’ I declared to the table, ‘This is the BEST chardonnay in the world!’ Okay, that may have been ‘slightly’ over-stating it, but such is my excitement when I make a NEW chardonnay discovery. So good it was, that I knew I’d want to track it down once I returned to Melbourne, so I asked our waitress to write down the wine’s name and vintage on a business card.

Pin It

Tapiz winery, Argentina

TAPIZ is the name of the winery and it’s located in Mendoza, Argentina. ‘Tapiz’ means ‘tapestry’ in English – appropriate given the fine tapestry of flavours it affords the palate.

When we returned home in September, I began the task of tracking Tapiz down in Australia. I tried the obvious first – Dan Murphy, Vintage Cellars and the local bottle shops, with no luck. Then I went on to a few wine websites – again nothing. How could this be? How could a wine so extraordinary not be available to the masses? The only solution seemed to be to contact the winery direct in Argentina.

I found the TAPIZ website, but that was of no use whatsoever because it’s all in Spanish. If only I was fluent… Nevertheless, I dashed off an email in the hope that someone in their office might be able to translate and help.

Pin It

Tapiz Chardonnay

Sure enough, a week later I received a reply explaining that the winery had just made arrangements with an Australian wine importer to bring Tapiz to our shores. In just a couple of months, I could contact RED BARREL Importers of Fine Wines to purchase my much sought after chardonnay.

When I learnt Red Barrel had another business – Cosi Duci Gelati in Ivanhoe – I knew we’d get along fine. If I were ever to specialise in food and beverages, I couldn’t think of a better combo than wine and gelati! Owners Victor and Silvia Scalia and I were definitely going to be kindred spirits.

Red Barrel also scored a big, fat gold star for such a prompt follow-up after my initial query. Just two weeks after receiving their first shipment of Tapiz, Sylvia arrived on my doorstep from completely the other side of town, to hand deliver two bottles of their finest for me to sample. She also invited us to a ‘tasting’ at their premises so we could learn more about the full range of Tapiz wines.

It was then, when I held that long-sought-after bottle of wine in my hands that I began to have doubts. Was this wine really going to be as good as I had remembered it all those months ago in London? Perhaps my perception was coloured by the seductive ambience of the lush Gaucho restaurant and the fine food? Maybe this had been one long wild goose chase?

Pin It

Was it going to be as good as I remembered?

Needing a second opinion and validation, I saved that bottle until I caught up with my fellow-chardy expert and sister-in-law, Penny. Down at their home in Anglesea on a sunny, summer’s afternoon, we finally cracked it open.

Kapow! Yes, there it was! That fine, golden liquid delivered on it’s promise. It was indeed worthy of a blog to share its greatness with the world.

Pin It

Silvia and Victor Scalia, Red Barrel Importers of Fine Wines

The second validation came after meeting with Victor and Silvia Scalia at their Red Barrel premises. They share a passion for quality wine, which is why they began their importing business in the first place. Victor visits Argentina at least once a year and was disappointed he couldn’t find the best of their wines in Australia. The best solution – import it yourself!

Pin It

The Red Barrel range of imported wine

Red Barrel is now the exclusive importers of both Tapiz and Granata wines for Australia. They’ve already made inroads in Melbourne’s restaurants – notably Piqueos in Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Othello at Southbank and a new restaurant called Buenos Aires Steakhouse which is opening soon at 189 Lygon St, Carlton – plus they sell direct to the public. Prices range, depending on amounts and variety, between about $21 wholesale and $27.

Pin It

A fine feast – cheers Tapiz!

Fletch had to film Neighbours on the day of the wine tasting at Red Barrel, so I took my Dad along instead. I think I inherited my love of fine wine from him, after all! Sylvia laid on a fine feast and I was again delighted to sample my now-favourite chardonnay. Although Victor and I disagreed on one thing. He’s convinced the Malbec is the best of the Tapiz range. It’s a mighty fine and mellow red, but I’d still opt for the chardonnay.

You can make up your own mind by sampling this wonderful wine for yourself. Just contact Red Barrel Importers of Fine Wine by email at

[email protected]

OR the company’s new website will be operational shortly at www.redbarrelwineimports.com.au

OR phone Business Manager Sylvia Scalia on 0407 881 188.

Cheers!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

4 thoughts on “Hunting down the ‘BEST Chardonnay in the WORLD’!!”

Ali hawkins on June 22, 2013 at 5:02 am said:

Hello!
I’m reading this with much interest. Firstly I should say that I don’t really like white wine, a quality Rioja or Ribera Gran Reserva is generally my treat of choice (and surprisingly good value compared to French wines). However, decent Chardonnay is my all time favourite. Secondly, I should say that as I work for a fine wine company in London I have had the good fortune to taste some amazing Chardonnays, Puligny Montrachet with at least 5 years of age is my all time fave. However, I can’t afford it so this tip is very interesting, I will definitely try to hunt it down. My affordable tip would be the Maycas del Limari Chardonnay Reserva Especial, again with about 5 years of age. Try to track that one down if you can. Anyway thanks for the article, a great read!
- JenniferHansen on August 7, 2013 at 4:36 pm said:
  
  Thanks Ali, for your chardonnay tip! As you know, I’m a great lover of this wine, so will definitely try to track down your recommendation. Apologies for the late reply – a Bali holiday and other work commitments have been interfering with my Blogging world!I’ll let you know if I can find it. Thanks again, Jen.
Ali hawkins on June 22, 2013 at 5:03 am said:

By the way, it is from the Limari Valley in Chile, I hope you can find it!
Deborah on October 5, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:

I fell in love with chardonnay after my first taste of Puligny Montrachet 35 years ago. The white wine scene in Oz was grim then. For a while, later, we had a golden age of Chardonnay. Until the vile sauv blanc became trendy. To their shame, many winemakers tried to make chardonnay that tasted like s.v. with its characteristic cat’s piss flavour– “unwooded” or “new style” were their cowardly copouts. Buying a chardonnay you don’t know these days is risky business.

Lately there has been a new threat – young wine judges looking for something “different”. Josef Chromy doesn’t even taste like wine. I wouldn’t use it in salad dressing.

Great chardonnays in the classic style are hard to find. Hope Tapiz is one of them.

Comments are closed.

Pinterest Image Pin Courtesy of Shane Jones