This week I’m reviewing a wine that is guaranteed to make you feel good. What do you mean, I can hear you asking, will it not give me a hangover? If only a bottle of wine were that magical, and alas this wine does not have that power. But it does have the power to give you a warm fuzzy feeling in the knowledge that you are making a difference just by drinking it. And that’s almost better than curing a hangover in my opinion.

When I was approached by VinoMofo about their Homeless Grapes Project, I wasn’t asked to review the wine. But when I tried it I enjoyed it so much. That, and it’ a cause I can really get behind, so I figured why the hell not? When life gives you a Chardonnay that not only tastes good, but is also for a good cause, you enjoy it and then write about it, so others might be inspired to enjoy it too!

I was super stoked by the prospect of helping VinoMofo with their project, not only because it made me feel like I was basically James Halliday for one moment (not really), but because it gave me a chance to do my little bit for this special project.

Drinking for a good cause

The Homeless Grapes project started in 2015 when VinoMofo decided to create a wine using the generous donations of grapes, winemaking, bottles, packaging and time of supporters across Australia. Since then, they have raised over $150,000 to combat homelessness by donating 100% of the profits to charity. What a number!

This year, they released three wines, and one of them was the Homeless Grapes Project Chardonnay 2018 from the Yarra Valley (the others are on pre-release as we speak). Through generous donations from De Bortoli Wines, who donated grapes and shaped the wine, and TarraWarra Estate and Rochford Wines who donated Chardonnay grapes, the Chardonnay was born. So you see, it isn’t just any Chardonnay! Premium grapes went into this, along with the love and support of the community that got behind the project.

The proceeds from sales of this Chardonnay go to St Mary’s House of Welcome, who provide services to those experiencing homelessness in Melbourne. This is no small task, and this amazing frontline charity provides hot food, accommodation, support and essential services to those that really need it. Melbourne winters are brutal, and I can only imagine the difference that St Mary’s House of Welcome makes to the community.

So you see, this wine directly helps those in need. What you spend on a bottle goes directly to St Mary’s House of Welcome, not others pockets. And the best part is, all you have to do to make a difference is to drink a cracking wine. So now let me tell you why I actually really loved this wine, above all of the feels it gave me.

Why I love it

The first point about this wine I’d like to make is that I was surprised my partner liked it. He loves Chardonnay, but the more oaked the better. He loves buttery, thick Chardonnay, and this is something that this wine is not. Not many people are like my partner, so I was a little worried when I cracked it open that he wouldn’t be a fan. He’d been nagging me to open it all afternoon because he wanted to try it but had to wait for me to take photos (even had to take some for me…poor thing). When I finally poured it I thought he might be disappointed by the light colour.

Normally an oaked, heavy Chardonnay is deeper yellow, almost golden in colour. That’s my partner’s jam. But this Chardonnay was light and straw in colour, suggesting it wouldn’t have the buttery characteristics he loved. This was true, it had completely different flavours. But my partner absolutely loved it! Probably because although it wasn’t a buttery Chardonnay, it was absolutely delicious and refreshing.

This wine is punchy in its flavour with a medium body. You get grapefruit and peach on the nose and a mineral finish. Translation: this wine is crisp, acidic and super refreshing to drink. I find Chardonnay can sometimes be a bit overpowering for me, but this wine had a great length full of complex flavours. I loved the freshness of it and the crisp taste.

Look, what I’m trying to say, is that in my survey of two, both a Chardonnay lover and a Chardonnay in different person (that’s what I’m calling myself) loved this wine. So I think I can now make the blanket statement that no matter your feelings towards Chardonnay, you’ll love this wine. That’s how statistics work, right?

What to enjoy it with

I honestly enjoyed this wine before dinner without food. Because it is quite complex in its flavours but very crisp, it is enjoyable before a meal and you don’t really need to pair anything with it. It’s perfect for summer afternoon drinks because of this.

However, I think it would also go beautifully with spicy food. The grapefruit and stone fruit flavours would really balance this out, along with that great length. Give me a Thai curry with this great drop and I’d be a happy lady!

The final word

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this wine, but I absolutely loved it. Even if it weren’t part of the Homeless Grapes Project, this Chardonnay would still make for a delicious wine that I think most would enjoy. Add in the extra feel-good factor of making a difference with every bottle, and you’ve got a winner!

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this project, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it. I hope telling you all about this helps to spread the word about the Homeless Grapes Project and the great things the community, and VinoMofo, are doing to help combat homelessness.

The best thing about it is that you don’t have to feel the least bit guilty about 1. buying the wine, 2. drinking the wine, 3. drinking a bit too much of the wine. You can enjoy every glass knowing you are making a difference! Your bottle will be finished all too quickly with such a great drop!