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.

A touch of sweetness on the palate makes this light, fresh white an ideal alternative to a fully dry or late-picked style. Very easy drinking and will be a good match with seafood or many Asian dishes.

This value for money Chardonnay from regions in South Eastern Australia shows aromas of stone fruit with hints of pineapple and toasty oak. On the palate this refreshing white displays a rich texture with peach and pineapple flavours and a long, pleasant finish.

This Riesling from Bream Creek is made from vines over 40 years old. It has a rich nose, showing freshly cut lime, French citron tart, spice and floral notes. The palate reveals vibrant lime, lemon and grapefruit balanced against taut and lively Tasmanian acidity, resulting in a wine with excellent length and a crisp, refreshing finish. It is perfectly suited to fresh Tasmanian seafood and spicy Asian cuisine.

This exceptional Pinot Gris from Amisfield shows pronounced aromatics of roasting quince, bees wax and orange blossom. The palate is broad, complex, rich and textured while remaining elegant, with a dry finish.

Clear, bright, pale straw in the glass, the nose is complex and enticing displaying fruit, perfume and evidence of its European winemaking. Honeyed fruit on the palate with a slight buttery mouthfeel, good acid, length and a very good lingering finish. Altogether, a very good wine.

This wine has a beautiful light straw colour. Aromas of ripe peach, grapefruit marmalade, blossoms and complex yeasty flavours compliment the toasty oak in the wine. Gyles Webb bought Thelema, a charming dilapidated fruit farm, in 1983 with the help of his wifes family. Fruit orchards were pulled out and vines were planted. The manor house was restored and the first wines under the Thelema label were released in 1988. The ripe pure-fruited wines were a revelation to many and it wasnt long before the romantic tale of a run-down old fruit farm became the success story of an avant-garde winery. By the mid 90s Thelemas wines sold out within a month after release, making it one of the most sought-after wine estates in South Africa.

Chenin is an extremely versatile grape, able to make excellent wines in many different guises, from Late harvest to straw wine to classic dry Chenin and even Methode Champenoise. This example is a wonderfully lively, intense, fruity and beautifully balanced dry Chenin Blanc. Aromas of green apples and white peach invite the juicy, yet taut palate. A depth of fruit is what sets this wine apart. It shows great persistence of flavour and freshness that linger on the palate long after the wine has gone. Very individual, the character of this wine makes it a perfect companion to warm summer days and long balmy evenings. The newest independent winery run by Alex Dale and friends in the Helderberg sub-region, is an emerging star on the Cape wine scene producing wines of complete quality, yet expressing their individuality. John Platter the doyen and king maker has already tabbed them as 5 star winemakers.