110 of the world’s coolest chardonnays will be available to taste at the 2012 International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration July 20-22.

Today marks the third annual International Chardonnay Day, and the fifty-five wineries of this year’s International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (the i4c) invite you to join them in a virtual global tasting of the “coolest grape on earth”.

Winemakers, cellar masters, sommeliers, and wine lovers from 14 wine regions around the world will be lifting their glasses to mark the occasion, providing reviews and commentary on their favourite vintages, vineyards and chardonnay-inspired stories via Facebook, Twitter (#chardday, #i4c2012) and Pinterest.

Blair Walter, winemaker at Felton Road, started the day’s events with morning images and perspectives from his vineyard in Central Otago, New Zealand, and Luisa Ponzi from Ponzi Vineyards will end the day with her thoughts from her cellar in the Willamette Valley, Oregon.

All wine enthusiasts are invited to join in the online activities by sipping and celebrating chardonnay, with a chance to win a pair of tickets to the i4c Cool Chardonnay World Tour on July 21st.

The i4c will be leading the International Chardonnay Day (#chardday) festivities from Niagara as they prepare to host some of the world’s most exciting cool climate chardonnay producers at the second annual celebration this July (#i4c2012).   This 3-day weekend showcases thirteen events at twelve stunning locations in the heart of Wine Country Ontario, from the Official Kick-off Party featuring The Arkells to elegant four-course vineyard luncheons. Saturday evening’s signature “Cool Chardonnay World Tour” features the Beyond the Barrel al fresco dinner – a menu created by seven Ontario winemakers enjoyed under the stars. Tickets are on sale now at coolchardonnay.org.