Sourced from dry-grown, hand tended vines in the north east of Victoria, this Beechworth Chardonnay from Savaterre will surely convince even the most hardened Chardonnay critic that modern Australian Chardonnay is of supreme world-class standard. Keppell Smith handcrafts a Chardonnay of utmost power and concentration that produces a length of flavour that borders on the immortal.

Dog Point from Marlborough in New Zealand have quickly established themselves as quality Marlborough producers with their range of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. This Chardonnay has lovely texture due to lees stirring and balanced oak influence. Hints of citrus still remain to produce a Chardonnay of versatility.

A straw colour compliments the intense pear aromas with peach and melon notes. A textured palate with sweet rounded ripe stone fruit flavours and a touch of spice.

Spain’s Navarra is full of surprises, producing styles from traditional and oaky to the most modern and fresh. Flor de San Martín is certainly in the latter camp, a brilliantly zippy fresh white made only from grapes grown in high altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Little rain and these dizzy heights mean lovely intensity of crisp fruit and lifted herbal aromas – flavours that are unique to the region. This white will really get the taste buds tingling! It’s from winemaker Gonzalo Zelayeta, who works his magic at the modern San Martín de Unx winery, founded back in 1914. From hand-picked (impossible with machines) grapes and cool fermented, this is a refreshing glassful. Tops with seafood, salads and lighter dishes.

A founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine, Jim Barry is a legendary Clare Valley out t. Its wines run the gamut of styles (and prices) from the renowned Jim Barry Watervale Riesling ($20) through to the magnf cent ‘Armagh’ Shiraz ($325). Assyrtiko is a lipsmacking white variety originally from Greece, now grown in Clare, in this exciting first. A tantalising taste of Santorini, Australian-style – delicious! “Garrique bush and flowers bouquet; the vines have grown another dimension, as has the flavour intensity, which is almost shocking - sour lemon, fresh-cut herbs, red apple... 94pts” (Halliday).