Chandon joins prestige grouping of Australian wineries

Sparkling wine specialist Chandon is the newest member of Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia (UWEA).

The Yarra Valley business, a pioneer of premium sparkling wine in Australia, was established in 1986 and is based in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, just an hour from downtown Melbourne and Tullamarine Airport.

Chandon’s cellar door, restaurant, and wine lounge offer vineyard views and a range of experiences.

Chandon is Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton’s (LVMH) sparkling-wine maison, founded in 1959 by Robert-Jean de Vogüé in a bid to create world-class sparkling wines outside Champagne.

Guests visiting Chandon can experience one of the most extensive ranges of méthode traditionnelle wines in the country and enjoy experiences including the Sparkling Brunch and the Behind the Bubbles experience.

One of the highlights of a visit is the Riddling Hall (below).

 


For those seeking a relaxing long lunch experience, Indulge with Étoile offers a seven-course degustation menu paired with Chandon’s new blend, Étoile.

Diners can enjoy ingredients like Victorian rock lobster, Yarra Valley salmon caviar, Pacific oysters, and Brisbane Valley quail.

Sarah Myers, executive officer UWEA, said: “We’re thrilled that Chandon has joined the Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia collective. It’s an extremely well-respected global brand and brings a wealth of experience to the table, especially when it comes to sparkling wine production, .

“We’ve currently got a strong contingent of wineries that offer sensational sparkling wine experiences, from House of Arras and Josef Chromy in Tasmania to Pizzini and Brown Brothers in Victoria’s King Valley, along with Printhie in Orange, New South Wales."

Mat Janes, consumer business director at Chandon, said: "We stand alongside wineries committed to excellence, each with their own unique story and distinctive vision. We are proud to represent our sparkling heritage and dedication to quality among such an outstanding collective of award-winning wineries that offer immersive experiences, truly capturing the essence of Australian winemaking."

I enjoyed a bottle of Chandon 2017 Vintage Brut with my tasting group this week - and it was outstanding.

Chandon (formerly branded as Domaine Chandon) is located at 727 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream, and is open seven days.

Discover more at www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au.

A bitter new take on sparkling wine

Chandon, established in 1986, was one of the pioneers of high-quality sparkling wine production in Australia. 

Based in the Yarra Valley but sourcing fruit from several cool-climate wine regions across the country, Chandon is probably best known for its serious approach. 

Dedicated to creating méthode traditionnelle cool-climate sparkling wines, using the three traditional Champenoise grapes of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, Chandon also has a sense of fun. 

Ready to serve, ready to share, Chandon's new Garden Spritz is a blend of sparkling wine and a unique bitters recipe. 

Crafted by chief winemaker Dan Buckle using navel and blood oranges and macerated with dried orange peels, herbs and spices, it offers a new take on summer drinking. 

The good news is that Chandon Garden is 100% natural with no artificial flavors and no artificial colorants. It also has half the sugar of many rival spritzes. 

Primary fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks with a few select parcels fermented in oak vessels for greater complexity. Spices and herbs used include cardamom, ginger and cinnamon. 

A combination of the base wine is blended with reserve wines from previous years while the second fermentation occurs in the bottle. Garden Spritz liqueur is added to Chandon Rosé sparkling wine after disgorging, the final step before popping the cork. 

Chandon Garden Spritz retails for $32 a bottle.