Under the winemaking direction of Michael Brajkovich, MW, the village label is the first tier in the Kumeu River portfolio. From vineyards around the Kumeu area, it is a wild yeast ferment Chardonnay with 100% whole bunch pressing and malo. One third is barrel fermented and the whole package seeks to highlight the white peach and flintiness that makes the area famous.

Petaluma use their impressive vineyard holding in the Adelaide Hills to produce a Chardonnay that shows poise and precision. Sourced from vineyards in Lenswood and Balhannah and then fermented in a combination of one and two year old French oak as well as stainless steel. Lees sturring helps add complexity and texture while the cool-climate fruit adds minerality and freshness.

Innocent Bystander produces a stylish Chardonnay that shows stonefruit melon and vanillin oak on the nose. The palate has lovely creamy mouthfeel and flavours of butterscotch and citrus with minerally acidity on the finish.

An industry veteran in value for money in the sparkling red category, Andrew Garrett is still holding its own among the dozens of more recent offerings. Good red fruit flavour and balance

A delightful cool climate Chardonnay, Oyster Bay had created a beautiful wine with the clean pure varietal character that typifies the best whites from Marlborough. Flavours of stone-fruit and citrus are perfectly balanced with creamy nutty oak. Crisp and a lengthy finish.

Chardonnay is at home in the Margaret River in Australia's west and this great value version from Cow Bombie shows lovely rich varietal flavours of peach and melon and textured mouth feel are enhanced by zesty citrus notes which linger on the finish.

One of the very best Chardonnays doing the rounds from McLaren Vale due to its lighter, slightly austere nature. Citrus melon and fruit-salad aromas give this Chapel Hill Chardonnay an attractive lifted bouquet and the palate is flavoursome fresh and lively. Great drinking!

Chapel Hill's McLaren Vale Verdelho has an intriguing and feisty array of flavours and aromatics. Kaffir lime leaf, passion fruit and honeycomb all leading into an endearing textural finish.

This wine, a Piebald, meaning black and white, is a co-fermentation of the blackest Syrah grapes, with a hatful of the purest white Viognier. Deep in colour, the wine is almost black, yet is also vibrant and bright. The nose is perfumed with apricots, spice and liquorice; a pretty, fragrant wine with a sweet juice and velvety palate. The finish is elegant with savoury spice and a fine tannin length and persistence.

Another multi regional wine from Peppertree, the Chardonnay is a blend of Hunter Valley 50%, Wrattonbully 35% and Orange 15%. The three regions make up a wine that shows lifted aromas of white peach and pineapple, a generously fruit driven palate packed with ripe fruits balanced well by subtle barrel ferment complexity, providing a long refined finish.