Salute Chardonnay

Salute 2025 Gisborne Chardonnay

Salute is a 2025 Gisborne Chardonnay vinified using a mixture of French and American oak under cool, temperature-controlled conditions.

It was rested sur lie in barrels for about six months, with occasional bâtonnage, before another short rest in stainless steel and then bottling.

What does Salute Chardonnay taste like?

This has resulted in a richly fragrant, youthful and creamy Chardonnay. The aromas and flavours are reminiscent of ripe peaches, baked apple, buttered popcorn and a touch of vanilla.

The flavoursome palate is dry, medium-bodied, smooth and round, with juicy acidity and a long length.

Food match

The wine is lovely to drink on its own but worth trying with the likes of lobster, fettuccine Alfredo, roast chicken or a good chunk of double cream brie.

The story behind Salute

Peter Norman is a little-known Australian legend. I first learned about him in the late 90s when studying Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Queensland.

Norman set the Australian record for running 200m while winning a silver medal at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. At the time I first learned about him, that record still stood. A record that old was pretty impressive. There weren’t many of those in the books.

But what made Norman a legend was what he did off the track in Mexico. Supporting and encouraging his fellow athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos to make a statement against racial inequality and injustice in the United States and globally while receiving their medals on the Olympic podium.

Norman, an opponent of his own government’s White Australia Policy, wore the Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on his chest. This simple and compassionate gesture cost Norman dearly. He was widely criticised for his actions when he returned home.

Despite running well under the qualifying time in both the 100m and 200m multiple times, Norman was not selected for the 1972 Olympics.

The time he ran of 20.06 seconds to win silver in 1968 would have won Norman a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His Australian record stood for 56 years until it was first broken in December 2024 by 16-year-old Queenslander Gout Gout.

Unfortunately, Peter Norman never saw his record broken. He sadly died of a heart attack in 2006 at the age of 64.

In 2012, the Australian Government posthumously apologised to Norman for the treatment he received upon his return to Australia and the failure to fully recognise his inspirational role in athletics and human rights before his untimely death.

His story has been immortalised in a documentary made by his nephew, Matt Norman. It’s well worth a watch. Check out salutethemovie.com to suss out the best way.