Central Otago Chardonnay

Chardonnay plays a smaller role in Central Otago than Pinot Noir, but the handful of producers working with it are turning out compelling wines, benefiting from the same cool nights and long, dry autumns that define the region's reds. Styles here tend toward the leaner, more mineral end of the spectrum, with restrained oak use letting the fruit and acidity do most of the talking rather than leaning on richness or butteriness. It's a useful bottle to seek out if you're already familiar with the region through its Central Otago Pinot Noir and want to see how the cool climate translates to white wine. For Chardonnay more broadly, Chardonnay covers examples from every region we carry, and Central Otago Wine covers everything else on offer.