Christophe Patrice, a winemaker from the village of Beine in Chablis, has a deep connection to the land and winemaking. In 1996, he joined his family's business but later established his own vineyard in 2006. In 2011, he acquired the prestigious Daniel Roblot estate, expanding his domaine to 22 hectares. The vineyards span across Beine, Courgis, and Chablis, showcasing the region's diversity. Sustainability and respect for the land are paramount to Christophe, who follows a lutte raisonnée approach to vineyard management. With low planting density, the vines have space to thrive. Stainless steel tanks are used to vinify the wines, preserving the pure essence of the Chardonnay fruit. From Petit Chablis to Chablis Premier Cru Beauregard, Christophe's portfolio reflects his dedication to excellence. Christophe Patrice's winemaking approach is marked by meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of the unique qualities of Chablis terroir. Sustainability is a central focus, with vineyards in Beine, Courgis, and Chablis managed carefully to preserve the land for future generations. The winemaking process emphasizes harmony between nature and craftsmanship, with grapes pressed and fermented exclusively in stainless steel tanks to allow the true character of Chardonnay grapes to shine without oak influence. Malolactic conversion and lees aging add complexity and texture to the Chablis wines, while the VdF Chardonnay follows a different path, showcasing vibrant fruit character without malolactic conversion or lees aging. All wines are vegan-friendly, crafted with ethical and environmentally conscious practices. Chablis is a highly acclaimed white wine hailing from the northernmost part of Burgundy, France. Its reputation lies in its distinctive character and ability to showcase the specific qualities of its terroir. Unlike many other Chardonnay wines, Chablis is typically not aged in oak barrels, resulting in a refreshing and mineral-driven flavour profile. The cool climate and limestone-rich soil of the region contribute to its unique taste, featuring hints of citrus, green apple, and a flinty mineral essence. Chablis wines are categorized into various appellations, such as Grand Cru and Premier Cru, signifying the finest vineyard locations. The sheer purity and refinement of Chablis have made it a sought-after choice among wine enthusiasts worldwide. The Domaine Christophe Patrice Chablis 2022 enchants with its radiant golden hue, captivating the senses from the first glance. Delicate and alluring, the nose reveals an intense bouquet of white flowers and vibrant citrus fruit, harmoniously intertwined with a mineral symphony of flint and gunflint. On the palate, this white wine unfurls with a lively and mineral-driven character, showcasing the essence of lime zest, crisp green apple and the subtle touch of stones. Meticulous winemaking techniques have resulted in a wine of remarkable richness and complexity, unveiling intriguing aromatic nuances reminiscent of fresh croissant and baked apple. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, this Chablis embraces its pure expression, free from the influence of oak, allowing the bright and mineralic qualities of the variety to shine through. It stands as a testament to the exceptional quality of Chardonnay and serves as a true reflection of the esteemed Chablis region, an embodiment of the winemaker's skill and dedication, Christophe Patrice.

Established in 1998, Shadowfax is a boutique winery located just 30 minutes from Melbourne in the heart of Werribee Park. Dedicated to creating high-quality and handcrafted wines, Shadowfax is renowned for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Shiraz, as well as a selection of highly limited, single-vineyard wines. The winery takes its name from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings, where Shadowfax was chief among horses. Contemporary in design and function, Shadowfax's unique architecture reflects an attempt to create a harmony between the winery and its natural surroundings. Designed by award-winning architects Wood Marsh, the winery's rusted sheet metal exterior and terracotta interior evoke the best of Australian wine heritage. At Shadowfax, the team is passionate about allowing each vineyard site to express its unique character, with the grapes grown reflecting the site and telling their own story. The vineyards are grown depending on their own requests, with the team always listening and tasting to ensure the vineyard's needs and wants are met. Shadowfax is not afraid of new ideas, experimentation, trials and tribulations, all while having fun doing so. The vineyard is allowed to do the talking, using the wine glass as its stage. Shadowfax is a winery that truly cares about the land and the wines it produces, resulting in some of the most exceptional wines in the region. Shadowfax Wines is a premium winery with vineyards located in some of the most unique and sought-after regions in Australia. The Little Hampton single vineyard site near Trentham sits at 730m above sea level, making it one of the coolest in the Macedon Ranges. The deep red volcanic loams over hard basalt outcrops give Little Hampton a unique balance between aromatics and power, producing exceptional fruit, particularly Pinot Noir, which forms the flagship Little Hampton Pinot Noir. Other vineyards include Straws Lane, planted in the 1980s to Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer near Hesket, Midhill, with slightly acidic and well-drained red volcanic soils and Werribee, which produces powerful and robust K Road Shiraz and unadulterated Minnow wines. The Pyrenees vineyard produces Shiraz with natural spicy aromas, a full palate and long fine tannins, thanks to the inland location at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain range. Shadowfax Wines' commitment to minimal intervention in the winery and precision farming results in wines that are vibrant, pure and drinkable. The Shadowfax Geelong Pinot Gris 2022 is a delightful wine that showcases a light white straw color with a green hue and brilliant clarity. The aroma is complex, with nectarine and lychee fruits complemented by nori and mineral flint. There is a focus and depth to the nose, with barrel-derived complexities and floral notes complementing the more primary fruit aromas. On the palate, nectarine and apricot immediately wash across, with papaya, ginger and fresh florals adding length and lusciousness. The palate is generous, but the healthy acidity maintains vitality and zest, with a touch of saltiness on the finish. This is a great example of maritime Pinot Gris. This wine pairs well with salmon and cream cheese bagel, nori roll and three cheese souffle. The viticulture of this wine involved a wet winter and cool spring in Geelong, setting up the growing season. Small crops fully ripened with a warm summer while retaining good acidity. The winemaking process involved firmly whole bunch pressing the hand-harvested fruit to release the full Pinot Gris flavor profile. Natural fermentation occurred in older French barrels, with the wine left to unwind and age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity.

Nyetimber's vineyards share similar characteristics with the best sparkling wine vineyards in the world. The greensand and chalk soils allow the vines to flourish across the south of England, resulting in slow ripening grapes that achieve optimum levels of ripeness and acidity, as well as complexity and finesse, for which Nyetimber's wines are renowned. Using only estate-grown grapes from Nyetimber's vineyards ensures that only the finest fruit is used to craft globally acclaimed wines. Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and her Winemaker husband Brad Greatrix assess each handpicked vineyard individually, choosing the optimal time to harvest the grapes and supervising their gentle pressing to eventual vilification. This meticulous attention to detail allows them to make the most informed blending decisions the following spring. The climate in the south of England allows for the slow ripening of grapes, which is essential for achieving the optimum levels of ripeness and acidity. This, coupled with the greensand and chalk soils, gives Nyetimber's wines their unique character and flavour profile. The estate's commitment to producing exceptional sparkling wines is evident in every bottle and their signature blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier is a testament to their dedication to crafting the finest English sparkling wines. Nyetimber's history spans almost a millennium, and their commitment to quality and excellence has never wavered. Their wines have achieved global acclaim, winning international awards and blind-tasting competitions and being recognized by some of the world's most celebrated wine experts. Nyetimber's dedication to crafting exceptional sparkling wines is evident in every bottle, making them a must-try for anyone who appreciates the artistry and science of winemaking. Nyetimber's Classic Cuvee NV is an ideal occasion-ready drink, with its pale-golden hue and fine bubbles that add to its charm. It has undergone extensive aging in the cellar, usually more than three years, resulting in distinctive toasty and spicy aromas that are a hallmark of Nyetimber's winemaking style. The wine's palate is a delightful blend of honey, almond, pastry and baked apples, giving it a hint of decadence that is sure to impress even the most discerning wine connoisseurs. The wine strikes a perfect balance between intensity and delicacy, elegance and complexity, making it consistently crowned as one of the best English sparkling wines. Nyetimber's commitment to quality and excellence is evident in every bottle of their Classic Cuvee NV, making it a must-try for anyone who appreciates the artistry and science of winemaking.

There are very few stories in the world of wine that are more important to tell than that of Bruno Giacosa. A man’s legacy etched into lore, and with such gravitas that it is still felt today in his native Piemonte by almost all the producers in the region. Born in 1929 in Neive where the winery remains, Bruno Giacosa spent his formative teenage years working with his father Carlo as a ‘commerciante’ or grape broker. This very important but often overlooked part of Giacosa’s history is perhaps the key to understanding his unrivalled ability to select fruit, even that which he hadn’t grown himself. The family’s income at that time revolved solely around the ability to sell fruit to winemakers, and taking any fruit to Vinify themselves would have been a conflict of interest. In fact, his father so vehemently opposed the young Bruno’s intention to bottle his own wine in the early 1960’s, that he had to do so without the blessing of the family. The first vintage wearing the label Bruno Giacosa was 1961, a single Barbaresco bottling from a mixture of vineyards as was custom at the time. It was the prominent wine author and critic Luigi Veronelli who at the time was crusading for Piedmont’s adoption of the French ‘cru’ classification of vineyard that convinced Giacosa to bottle and (importantly) label single vineyard wines soon after his first vintage. The first labelled cru bottling was the 1964 Barbaresco Vigna Santo Stefano, but it is possible that even the first wine used fruit exclusively from there. While the obsession with site continued and strengthened throughout Bruno Giacosa’s career, so did the predilection to purchase fruit from growers rather than buy vineyards himself. Though Giacosa was not the only winemaker somewhat late to the party in buying land in the Langhe, it is regarded as his greatest missed opportunity. Some of Italy’s greatest wines ever were Giacosa’s red label bottlings from Santo Stefano di Neive, Villero and Collina Rionda, none of which are produced today by the estate. In vinous literacy, it is impossible to read about the Langhe without reading about Giacosa and his contemporary Angelo Gaja. While Gaja was a willing frontman for the region, Giacosa continued to toil in the background. Both leading from the front and each producing the region’s best wines. Winemaking involves a great many small decisions, each affecting the next. One can only hope to get them right, to capture what there was in the grapes to begin with. - Bruno Giacosa Very few wines in the world come close to matching the complexity and presence of red label ‘Vigna Le Rocche’. In the vintages this plot is kept as a Riserva, the acidity, tannin and above all the balance must be in complete harmony due to the rigorous demands of both extended barrel ageing and the potential for a half-century in bottle. In their youth, Le Rocche Riserva is an immense wine. It is not forthcoming with its fruit when young, but nor is it disjointed in alcohol or tannin at any point. A rare kind of wine that seems carved from billet rather than made up of different parts. A cohesive wine of the tallest order, with some vintages vying for greatest wine of Italy. Intense red garnet colour with orange hints. The bouquet is complex and elegant, with notes of small ripe red fruit, blackcurrants, pomegranate and raspberries. On the palate it is full bodied, with an excellent tannic structure, the tannins are silky that give an excellent persistence to the wine.

The Heidsieck & Co Monopole Rosé Top Champagne NV is a sparkling sensation that captures the essence of luxury and celebration. Crafted by the expert hands of one of the most prestigious Champagne houses, this rose champagne is a delightful blend of grapes, carefully selected from the finest vineyards. Founded in 1785, Heidsieck & Co Monopole is the 4th oldest champagne house. Heidsieck & Co. Monopole was one of the leading Champagne brands in the beginning of the 20th century, and was a supplier by Royal Appointment of several European courts: King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany, the English Court, Swedish Court & the Court of Tsar Nicolas II. Between 1825 and 1830, a cargo galley sank with more than 150 bottles of champagne from different brands on board, including Heidsieck & Co Monopole. In November 2010, oenologists who examined the cargo reported that the bottles included the oldest known vintages of the Heidsieck & Co Monopole brand. Behind Heidsieck's range they have preserved the excellence of grapes, guaranteeing the quality and finesse of their champagnes. For a number of years, Heidsieck & Co Monopole have crafted reserve wines used in the production of their vintages. These wines play an important role in the blending process for the vintages, representing more than half of their composition. This champagne is a blend of 20% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Meunier and 70% Pinot Noir. With a luscious salmon pink colour and fine, persistent bubbles, this champagne exudes an aroma of fresh red berries, raspberries, wild strawberries and subtle hints of violet alongside other delicate floral notes. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious balance of fruity and floral flavours, underscored by a subtle minerality and a long, refreshing finish. Its fine, elegant flavours consist of small red fruits that dominate throughout with hints of raspberry and redcurrant. The mouth exhibits a delightful, freshness with a slightly tart finish. This light, vivacious champagne is a delicious rosé aperitif that comes in an elegant bottle with a stylish rose gold foil and a sleek design that embodies the spirit of modern luxury.

Established in 1998, Shadowfax is a boutique winery located just 30 minutes from Melbourne in the heart of Werribee Park. Dedicated to creating high-quality and handcrafted wines, Shadowfax is renowned for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Shiraz, as well as a selection of highly limited, single-vineyard wines. The winery takes its name from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings, where Shadowfax was chief among horses. Contemporary in design and function, Shadowfax's unique architecture reflects an attempt to create a harmony between the winery and its natural surroundings. Designed by award-winning architects Wood Marsh, the winery's rusted sheet metal exterior and terracotta interior evoke the best of Australian wine heritage. At Shadowfax, the team is passionate about allowing each vineyard site to express its unique character, with the grapes grown reflecting the site and telling their own story. The vineyards are grown depending on their own requests, with the team always listening and tasting to ensure the vineyard's needs and wants are met. Shadowfax is not afraid of new ideas, experimentation, trials and tribulations, all while having fun doing so. The vineyard is allowed to do the talking, using the wine glass as its stage. Shadowfax is a winery that truly cares about the land and the wines it produces, resulting in some of the most exceptional wines in the region. Shadowfax Wines is a premium winery with vineyards located in some of the most unique and sought-after regions in Australia. The Little Hampton single vineyard site near Trentham sits at 730m above sea level, making it one of the coolest in the Macedon Ranges. The deep red volcanic loams over hard basalt outcrops give Little Hampton a unique balance between aromatics and power, producing exceptional fruit, particularly Pinot Noir, which forms the flagship Little Hampton Pinot Noir. Other vineyards include Straws Lane, planted in the 1980s to Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer near Hesket, Midhill, with slightly acidic and well-drained red volcanic soils and Werribee, which produces powerful and robust K Road Shiraz and unadulterated Minnow wines. The Pyrenees vineyard produces Shiraz with natural spicy aromas, a full palate and long fine tannins, thanks to the inland location at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain range. Shadowfax Wines' commitment to minimal intervention in the winery and precision farming results in wines that are vibrant, pure and drinkable. The Shadowfax Pyrenees Shiraz 2018 is a bold wine that boasts a dark red to black color with a ruby hue. The aroma showcases white pepper spice, dark plums and fig fruit with hints of cinnamon spice. On the palate, satsuma plums and blackcurrant fruits explode onto the front palate, with pepper spices and cinnamon adding further intrigue. The fine but firm tannins build through the palate, leading to a crescendo of flavors that resonate with the drinker long after the wine has left one's lips. This is a full-bodied wine with great length and depth, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a bold and complex Shiraz. This wine pairs well with roast duck, Schezuan chicken and rump steak. The carefully hand-harvested fruit was picked in the cool of the morning to retain vibrancy. The fruit was destemmed into small open fermenters, where wild yeast performed their magic. The wine was then pressed and left to rest in 20% new French barrels, allowing it to develop its full flavor profile and complexity.

Camille Giroud, a Swiss wine merchant, marries Miss Deschamps and takes over her family's wine trade firm, which he renames Maison Giroud Deschamps. In 1903, the company becomes known as Camille Giroud and establishes its premises in Beaune. Unlike other wine merchants, Camille only buys musts and finished wines, relying on his talent as a wine maturer to establish the reputation of his company. After Camille's death, his youngest son, Lucien, takes over and maintains the family tradition. In the 1990s, the company faces financial difficulties and Bernard and François Giroud begin to buy grapes instead of purchasing wine. David Croix joins the Maison in 2001, launching new projects and building a new vat house. In 2002, Ann Colgin and other investors take over the company, with David Croix named as Manager in 2007. The Maison remains exclusive and pursues new projects under the leadership of Carel Voorhuis. Pommard is a village located between Beaune and Volnay in the Côte de Beaune region of France. It is situated in the middle of the slope, in the heart of its grouping vineyard, which is at an altitude between 240 and 380 meters, facing East/South-East. Pommard is known for its full-bodied and tannic red wines made from Pinot Noir, which have been highlighted since the middle ages. The name Pommard is derived from the ancient goddess Pomone, who was venerated by the first inhabitants of Pommard. In 2004, the village was called Polmareum, which later became Pomareum, derived from the Latin word "pomarium" meaning orchard. Camille Giroud Pommard Les Cras 2020 comes from 35-year-old vines located in Pommard, facing East/South-East and at an altitude between 280 and 320 meters. These vines are planted in limestone soil. Camille Giroud Pommard Les Cras 2020 has a fruity and elegant aroma with a beautiful finesse in its power, intensity, grain and complexity. It reveals notes of wild cassis, juicy quetsche plum, wild strawberry, cherry, rose, lily, pepper and cinnamon. The palate is elegant, juicy, fresh and has a racy minerality, tension and a finely tight grain. The wine expresses notes of cherry, cassis, small red berries, lily, rose, blackberry, rosewood and sweet spices. It is a beautiful, full-bodied and dynamic wine with a persistent hint of chocolate. Camille Giroud Pommard Les Cras 2020 is a perfect match for beef, veal, game and poultry dishes.

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils is located in the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, has built a solid reputation over the years as producing rich, ripe red wines, so it's interesting to see that Thierry Usseglio and his son, Gregory, are experimenting with the use of whole bunches and an entirely new wine style that combines a large proportion of white grapes and use of amphorae. Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Lirac 2020 vintage is produced with 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah. The fruit selected is from 40 year old vines. They harvested manually and completely destemmed. The fermentation is followed by thermoregulation, lasting about 20 to 30 days. The wines are then aged in concrete and demi-muids vats over a period of 12 months. Loads of black raspberry and spice, medium to full body and a lush, ripe, yet seamless mouthfeel.

Conceived as an exchange and shaped by friendship, this wine is first and foremost a result of the free-thinking that came out of a meeting between Louis Roederer’s CEO Frédéric Rouzaud, his cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon and the designer Philippe Starck. Their conversations led to the creation of the very first Brut Nature in 2006 and the relationship continued to grow over the years to give us the 2009 and 2012 vintages. The Brut Nature was born from an idea of the dreamed-for, perfect champagne. It is a wine that captures the freshness of the clay soils in a sunny year, a wine of truth, the testimony to an encounter, a soil, a year, free spirits and the independent spirit that runs through the Champagne House. It is a champagne that perfectly encapsulates this new exploration of a Louis Roederer terroir. The Louis Roederer et Philippe Starck Brut Nature 2015 has a yellow hue with shimmering highlights and an even flow of lively bubbles. The bouquet is pure, elegant, vertical, rich and concentrated. Nuances of ripe fruit combined with exceptional finesse: fine, delicate citrus peel and vanilla along with warmer notes of baked apple and Tarte Tatin that gradually give way to aromas of nougat. The palate offers a marked and singular contrast: it is very expressionist thanks to the broad, juicy, almost sensual texture of the clay soils in a sunny year, yet distinctly minimalist due to a fresh, pure, mineral and mouth watering backbone associated with its zero dosage. Ripe citrus fruit combines with warm stone notes further accentuating the mouth watering, umami sensation. The finish is light, energetic and ethereal.