COLOUR
White
TYPE
Still
VINTAGE
2021
GRAPE
Chardonnay
PRODUCER
Thirty Bench Wine Makers
REGION
Niagara Peninsula
CHARACTERISTICS
Body
Medium - Full
Sweetness
Dry
Acidity
Medium - High
Finish
Long
Intensity
Pronounced
AROMAS & FLAVOURS
ABOUT THIS WINE
Thirty Bench Small Lot Chardonnay is a white wine from the Niagara Peninsula, specifically the VQA Beamsville Bench region in Ontario, Canada. Produced by Thirty Bench Wine Makers, it is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The winery is recognized as one of Niagara's early boutique producers, emphasizing estate vineyards and a philosophy of minimal intervention to allow the vineyard's character to express itself. This wine is a hallmark of their 'Small Lot' approach, focusing on the unique terroir of the Beamsville Bench. The 2021 vintage, while noted as challenging, has resulted in a wine with notable density and flavor resonance. Thirty Bench has a history of receiving accolades, including awards for 'Canada's Best Small Winery of the Year'.
ALCOHOL
12.5%
AVG. PRICE
STYLE
Classic
SULPHITES
NO
When to drink
Now or Later
Ideal temperature
10-13°C
INTERESTING FACTS
Fact 01
Pioneering 'Small Lot' winemaking in Niagara.
Fact 02
Beamsville Bench soils contribute to ageability.
Fact 03
Winemaker Emma Garner's meticulous craft.
Fact 04
Often compared to Chablis for its minerality.
FOOD PAIRING
Read more
WINE MAKING PROCESS
The Thirty Bench Small Lot Chardonnay undergoes fermentation in French oak barrels, with a portion of new oak used for aging. The wine is aged for 22 months on light lees (sur lie), a process that contributes to its texture and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided to maintain the wine's vibrant acidity and fresh fruit profile. The winery emphasizes a 'Small Lot' approach, utilizing grapes exclusively from their own vineyards. Farming practices are geared towards low yields and high fruit intensity. The wine is bottled with an alcohol by volume of 12.5%, residual sugar of 2.6 g/L, and total acidity of 6.5 g/L.
