Cloudy Bay has produced a Sauvignon Blanc of vibrant intensity. The characteristically uplifting aromas of kaffir lime, lemon zest and nectarine, with the floral notes of orange blossom on the nose; A weighty texture of ripe citrus and stone fruit flavours balanced by a minerally-citrus acid backbone with a finish that is crisp and clean on the palate. The wine has elegant line and length; refined, fleshy yet focused and refreshing.

The wine tastes remarkably good: concentrated, aromatic, and complex. The speed with which the grapes became concentrated preserved magnificent vivaciousness. The wines are truly brilliant.

Approachable, generous and flavoursome with a silken elegance. Berry fruits come to the fore with gentle dried herb notes in the background. Medium bodied, the palate is finely structured with lovely soft lingering tannins which integrate perfectly with the soft supportive acid and plush fruit.

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.

Small-batch Chardonnay from Marlborough negociants Novum. Stonefruit, cream and mineral on the nose. Flintiness meets fruit on the palate, making for a distinctive medium-bodied wine. An appealingly long finish shows this to be a top tier Chardonnay. Novum use small parcels of fruit from specially selected sites on established Marlborough vineyards to craft the best wines and expressions of terroir possible. Their first vintage arrived in 2016. Novums primary focus is on Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

A beautifully orchestrated sparkling, this bright, salmon-pink wine has a fine bead and aromas of honeyed red fruits with some delicate toasty notes too. The palate is bright and flavoursome, with strawberry biscuit flavours, cleansing acidity and a clean, zesty finish.

If you want to try the benchmark in this style then look no further than Pierro. A clean and concentrated palate of lemon sherbet and gooseberry with a hint of oak influence. LTC stands for 'little touch of Chardonnay' which adds the right amount of palate weight and complexity.

Amongst premier wine grape varieties, Chardonnay is the most divergent and most planted white wine grape in the world. Pale straw in colour, this well-crafted wine is rich and mouth filling. An exotic fusion of ripe yellow plums, white grapefruits, nuances of sweet baking spices, cream, and lightly toasted cashew nuts can be experienced in this wine. As the wine swirls in the glass, the nose is greeted with noticeable scents of citrus peel and ripe stone fruits, with an air of delicate florals. The palate is rich and filling on initial entry while the mid-palate adds fresh cream to the mix, before a brisk acidity leads to a nippy and clean finish. It is a flexible wine that pairs well with soft cheeses, scallops, or fish with herbs.