The famous white variety Chardonnay is grown in most winemaking countries and arguably produces the very best of dry white wines as well as the finest of champagnes.

The grape can be grown with relative ease and it is not problematic in the winery. However, in the past several followers went off the variety as they were finding copious amounts of indifferent, alcoholic and over-extracted examples being offered which is what inspired the catchphrase “ABC wine drinker”, short for “Anything But Chardonnay”.

Realising that the variety can generate good income for wineries, winemakers changed their approach and find it an attractive challenge to produce a Chardonnay (oaked or unoaked) of outstanding quality.

Paarl producer Glen Carlou is a winery well known for its fine oaked Chardonnays which have a reputation of consistent quality vintage upon vintage. From their Prestige range they have the Quartz Stone Chardonnay made from the oldest Chardonnay vines on the property and fermented using the wild yeasts present.