Two Clare Valley Chardonnays named among the World's top 10 at prestigious competition in Burgundy

A South Australian winery has taken on the world, with a major moment for Australian wine. And they’ve won right where it matters the most.

The Clare Valley’s Taylors Wines has been named the only winery in the world to place two wines in the Top 10 at the 2026 Chardonnay du Monde, one of the most prestigious competitions dedicated entirely to Chardonnay. And to make it even sweeter, it all took place in the historic home of the Chardonnay, Burgundy.

The competition brings together hundreds of the world’s best Chardonnays each year and sees them blind judged by international experts. This March saw 471 wines from 25 countries, with only the very best making it into the coveted Top 10.

Mitchell Taylor

This year’s awards saw Australia as the only Southern Hemisphere country represented in the Top 10 and both spots were claimed by Taylors Wines. These were the Jaraman Chardonnay 2025 and the Special Release Chardonnay 2024. These sat proudly alongside some of the world’s most elite bottles, including Burgundy Premier Cru and Champagne Grand Cru wines, representing not just the country but this very underrated region.

“To be recognised amongst the world’s best in Burgundy – is incredibly significant,” shared Mitchell Taylor, Chairman of Taylors Wines. “This result is a powerful endorsement of how far Australian Chardonnay has come and reflects our commitment to producing wines of genuine quality and balance. This is a proud moment for our family and our winemaking team. It shows that Australian Chardonnay can stand alongside the great wines of France.”

In recent years, Australian Chardonnay has seen a change from the richer, fuller-bodied styles you might expect. Today, some wine makers are leaning into fresh and balanced wines that are full of regional character, and it’s a move the wine world is clearly taking notice of.

Wine critic Angus Hughson shared, “Australian Chardonnay has undergone a profound evolution over the past decade. The shift away from overt richness towards precision, freshness and regional character has completely changed how these wines are perceived internationally. Results like this, judged in Burgundy, again show the quality of Australian Chardonnay among the greatest examples of this variety from around the world. In a rapidly changing wine world, Chardonnay will likely become our nation’s key opportunity to shine on the global stage, evidenced by awards such as this.”

Taylors Wines’ Jaraman Chardonnay 2025 is a modern and approachable wine priced at just $18. With flavours of vibrant lime zest, pineapple and nectarine, balanced by zesty acidity and fine French oak texture, it’s a wine that outperformed international drops often priced many times higher.

The Jaraman 2025 vintage has already picked up six Gold Medals and a Trophy across major competitions in France, Germany, Spain, the US, the UK and Hong Kong, really making a name for itself as one of the country’s standout wines right now.

Across the board, the result signalled a shift in global wine trends, with Chardonnay emerging as one of Australia’s biggest opportunities on the international stage. The home country, France, dominated the competition, with countries like Japan, South Africa, Brazil, and Italy all securing multiple gold medals.

For South Australia, if this latest accolade is anything to go by, it’s clear to see that we’re leading the nation.

For more information, click here.