Many of us wine drinkers have a soft spot for Chablis. Its with great reason too, given our climate and affi nity with seafood. A little over two months ago, we were thrilled when this wine hit our shores for the first time following a selective buying trip. Once again, it showcased its undisputed quality and notoriety in our tasting sessions. Established in 1850, this small family owned domain is the proven choice of so many when it comes to great Chablis. The estate comprises a mere 45 hectares of vines scattered throughout the region, grown on the famous Kimmeridgian limestone soils. Textbook in expression and style, super fi ne and elegant, this 2013 has perfectly poised, piercing acidity. This drives superb length of flavour on the featherweight light palate. Is there a better oyster wine?

This wine is pale straw in colour and shows subtle grapefruit, mineral and flint characters on the nose. The palate has flavours of citrus and melon with savoury notes and a long dry finish.

Brown Brothers Patricia Chardonnay is an elegant style balancing natural acidity with intense fruit flavour. Named in honour of Patricia Brown, the fruit for this exceptional white wine consists of 57% from the Brown Brothers Whitlands vineyard and the balance from Coombe Farm vineyard located in the Yarra Valley. The Yarra Valley experiences cool ripening conditions just like the Whitlands vineyard. The vineyard selection contributes to a tight style with wonderful fig and mealy characters typical of a cool climate Chardonnay.

Similar to the famous Black Sambuca from Galliano, the White has a lighter texture and a more open flavour. Such an aromatic drink can be enjoyed in many ways, but a favourite is neat alongside a coffee.

Defaix's Chablis comes from a range of parcels with different vine age and aspects. Aged on fine lees in glass-lined tanks, this is a textural, and uplifting Chablis rich in oyster shell and citrus notes and driving freshness on the finish.

Domaine Christian Moreau is a highly esteemed and historic name in the world of Chablis. The family has a long-standing history in the region, and the current generation, led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, continues to uphold the family's legacy. With their exceptional vineyard holdings, which include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, this small yet remarkable estate has quickly established itself as one of the leading producers of Chablis, consistently crafting outstanding wines. While their holdings in Petit, village and 1er cru Chablis are relatively small, the true highlights lie in their range of Grand Cru vineyards. They possess a single holding of approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, along with 41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, as well as smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots and Vaudesir. These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. The estate's commitment to organic farming, certified since 2013, has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, the results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. The Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils Chablis 2022 is primarily aged in stainless steel, with 15% of the blend seeing barrel aging. The vines used for this wine are over 40 years old and are located in Les Pargues, situated between the Premier Cru sites of Montmains and Vosgros. This terroir has always been highly regarded and produces wines with extra depth and character. The blend also includes grapes from the village of Beru, known for its naturally reductive qualities, and a parcel from behind the hill of Grand Crus towards Fontenay. This combination brings complexity, generosity, coolness, minerality, reserve and finesse to the final blend. Certified organic and vegan-friendly, this Chablis offers flavors of white fruit with a pleasant minerality. It is a perfect choice for an aperitif or pairs well with oysters, shellfish or grilled fish.

The Derwent River has created an exceptional vineyard site with marine influences on 3 sides of the vineyard along with the stoney and silt soils providing ideal conditions for this textured and elegant Chardonnay.

Lark Hill have been the pioneers of this traditional Austrian variety. It was back in 2002 when Jancis Robinson visited the vineyards and stated that Lark Hill was the perfect place to grow Grüner Veltliner due to its overall terroir. With links to bio-dynaimc farming already being established, Chris Carpenter thought it was the obvious connection to begin making Grüner. Wonderfully fragrant with more than a hint of spice, Lark Hill's Grüner has a lovely textural component to it as well making it an ideal match white fish, shell fish and subtle charcuterie.

Gimblett Gravels combines the French concept of terroir with modern day thinking to define, protect and market wine. In what is believed to be a first for winegrowers in the New World - wine growing countries outside Europe - Gimblett Gravels is basing the ultimate designation of their district according to a tightly specified soil type.