Chardonnay is the most versatile white wine grape in the world. It travels well, as the glorious examples from Hawkes Bay & Marlborough attest. However, France is the spiritual home of Chardonnay with famed white Burgundies at the very top of the pyramid. However, those top Burgundy Chardonnays often cost hundreds of dollars a bottle, so we thought is was about time we put together a collection of great French Chards that you can drink up without burning a hole in your pocket!

All these wines have been selected for their gently oaked, fruit filled personalities overflowing with French zesty ripeness and charm.

Collection includes:

2 x La Baume 'Limoux' Chardonnay 2021 (France)

AWARDED 93/100 POINTS & 5 STARS: Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Wonderfully fruited and inviting, the bouquet shows golden peach, fig, nougat and hazelnut aromas, followed by a succulent palate offering creamy texture backed by beautifully pitched acidity, making it flavoursome and highly enjoyable"  Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

Vignobles La Baume Chardonnay Limoux has matured for ten months in wooden barrels, one third of which is in new wood. You will immediately notice this from the tropical scents and the creamy style of this wine.

Alc: 13.5% - Seal: Cork

2 x Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2022 (France)

AWARDED GOLD MEDAL: Chardonnay du Monde 2023
AWARDED GOLD MEDAL: Mundus Vini 2023
AWARDED 90/100 POINTS: James Suckling

Villa Blanche is stunning award-winning Chardonnay from the south of France. Floral, apple and peach notes with lovely mouth-feel and a more-ish, satisfying finish. Comfortably the least expensive wine in the Gold Medal winning category of the 50 Top Chardonnays of the World Competition!

"Elegantly pale, shimmering, limpid. In this vintage that was wetter than previous years, the aromas remain powerful. We find the same notes of apricot, vine peach and aniseed that are characteristic of our Villa Blanche Chardonnay, with the discreet fragrance of vanilla and coconut in complement. The palate is perfectly balanced, fresh, fruity and dense at the same time, thanks to harvesting in two stages to ensure ideal ripeness, and the important work of blending. Full bodied and harmonious on opening with exotic notes of mango and citrus fruit, and finishing on supremely smooth toasted notes. The 2019 vintage offers a mouth-watering touch of salinity as a final note. We have remained faithful to the typical characteristics of this wine, but with perhaps more predominant freshness.

Seal: Screw Cap

2 x Tribu Montahut Chardonnay 2022 (France)

AWARDED GOLD MEDAL & TOP 100 WINNER: Chardonnay du Monde 2023
AWARDED GOLD MEDAL: Mundus Vini 2023

Wonderfully ripe and elegantly fragrant, the attractive bouquet shows white nectarine, rock melon and nougat characters with subtle notes of vanilla and almond. The palate is succulent and creamy, delivering delectable fruit flavours together with silky texture and refreshing acidity, finishing long and smooth.

Alc: 13.5% - Seal: Screw Cap