Welcome to one of the world's most unique wine competitions - the 2009 International Chardonnay Challenge.

It is an event that celebrates a single variety - the not-so-modest chardonnay. From small beginnings in 1999 when there were less than 100 entries, to recent years when more than 500 wines come in from all over the world. Our judges are also international and usually as celebrated as the wines they are critiquing.

To ensure the best possible results, our judges taste no more than 100 wines a day each, keeping their palates fresh and open. We are perhaps the only competition in the world that works closely with wine students - students from Tairawhiti Polytechnic's wine course, who steward for the event, exposing them to an element of wine many would not have the opportunity to do. We welcome you to become a part of this fantastic event. We have a data base second to none that includes media, wine companies, wine makers and all sorts of industry contacts from all over the world - and we never miss an opportunity to tell them about the ICC.