Norman Hardie VQA County Chardonnay 2022

Norman Hardie VQA County Chardonnay 2022 is one of Canada’s most acclaimed Chardonnay wines and impressive proof of just how close Canadian wine can come to the greatest white wines of Burgundy. The wine comes from Prince Edward County on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, where the cool climate and limestone-rich soils produce a Chardonnay with a unique combination of freshness, minerality, and elegance.

The grapes are fermented with naturally occurring yeast and aged for a full 18 months on the lees in large 500-liter French oak barrels. The long aging gives the wine a creamy texture and great complexity, while the large barrels add subtle nuances of oak without overpowering the fruit. At Norman Hardie, the goal is for the barrel to support the wine’s character—not to drown it out.

The wine is bottled unfiltered and with minimal sulfur to preserve the grapes’ natural character. The result is a Chardonnay with impressive depth, precision, and a beautiful mineral structure. It has repeatedly been compared to some of Burgundy’s most legendary producers, underscoring the wine’s exceptional quality.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Elegant and complex with lemon, melon, and ripe yellow apples. This is complemented by a hint of reduction, toasted sesame, subtle smoke, flint, and delicate notes of brioche.

Palate: Full-bodied and intense with vibrant citrus fruit, ripe stone fruit, and a lovely chalky minerality. The extended aging on the lees imparts a creamy mouthfeel, while barrel aging adds elegant notes of vanilla and toasted nuts without being overpowering.

Finish: Long, fresh, and precise with high acidity, mineral nuances, and an elegant finish that lingers for a long time.

The Winery’s History

Norman Hardie is considered one of the pioneers of high-quality Canadian wine and has been a key driving force behind Prince Edward County’s international recognition. Inspired by Burgundy, he employs natural fermentation, low yields, and minimal intervention in the cellar. His philosophy is to create wines that express the terroir rather than the barrel, which has made Norman Hardie one of Canada’s most respected winemakers.

• Producer: Norman Hardie Winery
• Wine: VQA County Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2022
• Type: White wine
• Country: Canada
• Region: Prince Edward County, Ontario
• Grape: Chardonnay
• Fermentation: Natural yeast
• Aging: 18 months on the lees in 500-liter French oak barrels
• Filtration: Unfiltered
• Contains: Sulfites
• Volume: 75 cl
• Alcohol: 12.5%