Australia has triumphed at London Wine Fair’s third Icon Tasting – The Greatest Chardonnay Showdown – taking out first and second place.

Tasmania’s Tolpuddle Vineyard 2023 Chardonnay was named Greatest Chardonnay of the World, followed by Western Australia’s Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2020 in second place. South Australia’s Shaw + Smith M3 2021 also made the top 10 in seventh place and took out third place on the Best Value Chardonnay list.

The results were announced on the show’s centre stage on the eve of International Chardonnay Day. Billed as a benchmark tasting to assess the finest Chardonnay from classic and emerging regions, across different styles, including sparkling.

The Greatest Chardonnay Showdown was judged by 18 of the UK industry’s most talented and influential palates, more than two thirds of whom were either Masters of Wine or Master Sommeliers, including Jancis Robinson MW OBE; Dawn Davies MW; Tony Lécuroux MS; and Pierpaolo Petrassi MW.

Sarah Abbott MW said: “This rigorous assessment, undertaken by expert palates, showed that fine Chardonnay is a global language for the best of wine. The top-rated wines, from Australia, England and France, reflect the staggering adaptability of this iconic grape variety.”

Ronan Sayburn MS said: “The results of this tasting offered an interesting snapshot of contemporary Chardonnay preferences rather than a definitive ranking of the world’s greatest wines. Many of the highest-scoring wines were modern Australian examples sealed under screw caps, showing remarkable freshness, precision, and consistency.”

Head of London Wine Fair Hannah Tovey said: “Now in year three, our annual Icon Tasting is firmly established as a highlight of London Wine Fair. Our Greatest Chardonnay Showdown has been highly anticipated by both the judging panel and the wider global wine industry.  We are delighted for Tolpuddle Vineyard, for their exceptional result, which shines a spotlight on Tasmanian Chardonnay.  Thank you to Sarah and Ronan for their superb orchestration and for the brilliant judging panel for their time and palates.”

Tolpuddle’s win follows the vineyard taking out four trophies at the 2025 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards – Best Tasmanian Chardonnay, Best Chardonnay, The Douglas Seabrook Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Wine and The François de Castella Trophy for Best Young White Wine.

Top 10 Greatest Chardonnays of the World

• Tolpuddle Vineyard 2023 Chardonnay, Coal River Valley, Tasmania, Australia
• Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay 2020, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
• Danbury Ridge Octagon Block Chardonnay 2023, Essex, England
• Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013, Champagne, France
• Bâtard-Montrachet 2022, Domaine Henri Boillot, Burgundy, France
• Bell Hill 2020, Limeworks, North Canterbury, New Zealand
• Shaw + Smith M3 2021, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia
• Felton Road, Chardonnay Bannockburn 2021, Central Otago, New Zealand
• Cervaro della Sala 2023, Castello della Sala, Antinori, Umbria, Italy
• Domaine Donatsch, Unique Chardonnay Malans 2024, Graubünden, Switzerland

Best Value Chardonnay (based on the highest points per RRP)

• Familia Deicas Juanico, Preludio Barrel Select Lote No 29 2020, Canelones, Uruguay
• Ataraxia Chardonnay 2024, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa
• Shaw + Smith M3 2021, Adelaide Hills, South Australia, Australia
• Storm, Ridge Chardonnay 2024, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa
• Sol de Sol Chardonnay 2024, Viña Aquitania, Traiguén, Valle de Malleco, Chile