If there’s not already a Chardonnay grape somewhere on Australia’s coat of arms, it’s about time we put one there. Chardonnay makes up a quarter of the total grape harvest in Australia, and the incredible diversity of vineyards – including our very own Yarra Valley, Strathbogie Ranges and Whitlands Plateau – is a gift for sparkling wine lovers. Alongside its bright, softly acidic flavours of Fuji apples, pears, nectarines and Meyer lemons, comes an aroma of fresh lime blossom and fennel. This release of Chandon Blanc de Blancs was the perfect opportunity to show off a truly Australian style of Chardonnay using the méthode traditionnelle, and it’s one that’s going straight to the pool room