The Triolet blend, first produced at this vineyard in 1987, was inspired by the white wines of Graves, Bordeaux. Each variety is picked at optimum ripeness, and is usually fermented separately. The characteristics of optimum ripeness are different for each variety. We pick the Sauvignon blanc after the strong herbaceous flavours have disappeared, the Semillon when the acid is not too harsh, and the Muscadelle when the flavour intensity peaks.

Delamotte was found in 1760 and is one of the five oldest Champagne houses. Based in the Grand Cru Village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Cote des Blancs, the house is reknowned for the delicacy and elegance of their cuvees. A 100% Chardonnay from six select Grand Cru vineyards in the Cotes des Blancs: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger brings fine acidity, minerality, and saline characters; Avize brings balance and structure; Oger brings generosity and fruit expression; Cramant brings minerality and smoky complexity, Chouilly structure and length, and Oiry the texture, body, and roundness. With six years of ageing on lees, this cuvee is characterised by its pure, direct, and intense flavours of citrus flavours, saline notes, and complex notes of freshly baked brioche. This Champagne will easily enhance a range of dishes, from oysters to beef tartare, and will comfortably age for another decade.

This is the emblematic vine of Jura. In Jura, Savignin is mostly used to produce vin jaune, an oxydative wine which has made Jura famous. Domaine du Pélican produces a non-oxydative cuvée (topped up during elevage in the barrel to avoid oxydation, hence called "Savagnin Ouille"). The Savagnin vine belongs to the Traminer family. Since its birth in Montigny-lès-Arsures in 2012, Domaine du Pélican has rapidly established itself as one of Juras leading lights, producing exceptional biodynamic wines that mix finesse with thrilling Jurassien character. The project was born in Taillevent Paris where Guillaume dAngerville, proprietor of the great Volnay estate Marquis dAngerville, was served blind a bottle of Jura Chardonnay from the 2005 vintage. Struck by its quality, Guillaume was taken a back to discover the wine was not from Meursault, let alone anywhere in the Côte dOr. This moment proved the trigger for an exciting new project. Several Jura visits and tastings later and Guillaume was convinced to buy land there. He sought the help of respected Jura geologist Yves Hérody to find the best vineyard sites, a journey which took three years and culminated in a deal with the Château de Chavannes in Montigny-lès-Arsures in 2012 to purchase and lease five hectares. Jean-Marc Brignot sold him another five hectares shortly afterwards and finally in 2014 five hectares were leased from retiring Jura legend Jacques Puffeney. The estate is managed by Guillaumes Volnay Régisseur and partner in Domaine du Pélican, François Duvivier, who runs a team permanently based in the Jura. The vines are between Arbois and Montigny. Vitally all 15 hectares are within 2km of each other, the same as in Volnay, this allows the estate to grow the vineyards bio-dynamically for which some of the necessary treatments need to be made within two hours of preparation. The plots are among Juras finest, the very best being En Barbi and Grand Curoulet. The terroirs here, a mix of marly clay and gravels with varying exposures from north to south, are even more complex than in Burgundy. Whilst a broadly Burgundian approach is employed to wine-making, there is no doubting the individuality and Jurassien personality of the wines. The dAngerville approach in the cellar has always been light-touch, one which is toned down even more for Domaine du Pélican, little new oak is used and élévage is shorter, lasting twelve months as opposed to eighteen in Volnay. Tanks and foudres are employed for ageing the reds, 500 litre casks for the Savagnin and traditional Burgundian barriques for the Chardonnay. The whites are both topped up as opposed to the more common oxidative Jura method. The rigour and investment of the Marquis dAngerville, local know-how and great terroir is proving a potent combination, for these are some of the most Juras most exciting and complex wines.

One of Australia's favourite Pauillac's and favourite Bordeaux's in general year after year. It isn't hard to see why Château Batailley is held is such high esteem with the consistent quality produced year after year. The 2009 marks a high water mark though with Batailley which has seen the wine be regarded with the very best this estate has ever produced. While trademark formidable tannin is still evident, the softness and roundness of the fruit is just a wonder to experience. Will still age for considerable time, most likely 20+ years.

Haut Bailly II is the second wine of Chateau Haut-Bailly based in Pessac-Leognan, which was previously released as La Parde de Haut Bailly. A lovely wine with energy and drive.

Few places seem to posses the divinely ordained right to produce Bordeaux’s other iconic export, Sauternes, quite like Clos Haut-Peyaguey. Across 12 hectares of plateau-topping Premier Cru Classé vineyard, Semillon (and a smidge of Sauvignon) grapes patiently wait out summer for the noble rot to set in. We’re talking about botrytis, of course. Once it does, the sweetest grapes are handpicked for vinification before being sent for a French oak siesta. The result is one of the world’s most revered sweet white wines. Unctuous and syrypy; floral and fruity; jammy and spicy: trés magnifique!

Laurent Ponsots new company is a stage in a wide-ranging project that began four decades ago. In this different format, Laurent Ponsot continues to use his experience, his craftsmanship and his passion to serve the terroir of Burgundy. The company Laurent Ponsot is neither a domain nor a maison: its a state of mind. To create an exceptional wine is the equivalent of designing luxury goods. Haute couture is how we have decided to describe these incredible wines, like unique designer pieces, made even more glorious through our experience and craftsmanship. The freshness and fruity and accessible suppleness of a Bourgogne Blanc make it the perfect introduction to the stunning wines of Laurent Ponsot.

Customers invariably ask: "What's Blanc de Blancs Champagne and what makes it so special?" The Champagne region grows three grapes, two red – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – and one white ¬– Chardonnay. Blanc de Blancs is made only from Chardonnay and, as Hugh Johnson says, it therefore has "great grace and less weight than traditional Champagne". Laithwaite's is a tip-top example which for years has been expertly created for us by superb cellars in Avize, one of Champagne's finest villages. This particular cuvée is 100% Premier Cru vineyards and was matured for 30 months before release – double the required minimum – to ensure a really luxurious character. Showing complex white blossom, citrus and toasted brioche notes, it has great finesse, a very fine mousse, and the perfect amount of acidity to cut through a range of delicious canapés such as velvety chicken or duck liver parfait.

Organically farmed Sauvignon Blanc from Yarra Valley