It is the first week of spring and the early budding varieties like Chardonnay are entering the bud burst phase of their growth cycle. The buds, situated between the stem and the petiole (leaf stem) first appeared during the summer growth period of the previous growing season. As the soil temperature rises osmotic forces push nutrient-rich water up into the dormant vine. Tiny shoots use the reserves of carbohydrate stored up before winter and will produce the first leaves of the new season, helping to accelerate growth and start the photosynthetic processes.

High praises for Creation Art of Chardonnay

The Creation team is proud to have received the following review from sommelier Joakim Blackadder on the 2015 Creation Art of Chardonnay: “I tasted it over a couple of days and it is incredibly stable and will mature for a decade to the better. In quality and stylistically it reminds me of a very good wooded premier cru level Chablis with full ripeness, I think Defaix Les Lys. All in all – a delicious wine.” The Swedish-born Joakim gained extensive experience in Michelin-starred restaurants before re-locating to South Africa at the end of 2008. Among his many achievements have been receiving the annual Service Excellence Award from Eat Outmagazine three years in a row.