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.

Product Information: In recent years, this wine has displayed even greater definition and class. With organic viticulture, new equipment, and nearly 20 years of expertise, Fabien Moreau is producing exceptional wines, and the 2023 1er Cru Chablis is looking spectacular. The Vaillon stands out above the village-level crus, with elevated floral notes, energetic citrus, and beeswax emerging with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced, opening with a touch of honey, vivid fruit, and a racy acidity that lingers on the finish. The Vaillon appellation is located on the left bank of Chablis. Domaine Christian Moreau has six parcels totaling 4.7 hectares in the historical heart of Vaillons. The fruit is sourced from vines that are 30 to 70+ years old, all south/south-east-facing. The soil here is from the Kimmeridgian period, rich in clay-limestone marls with marine fossils, specifically small oyster fossils known as Exogyra Virgula. The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented with natural yeast, and aged for 6-8 months—two-thirds in tank and one-third in barrique. Maker: Domaine Christian Moreau is a historic name in Chablis. Led by Christian Moreau and his son Fabien, the estate has upheld its family legacy while producing some of the region’s finest wines. Their exceptional vineyard holdings include nearly 8 hectares of Grand Cru out of Chablis' total 92 hectares, making this small but remarkable estate one of the leading producers of Chablis. While their holdings in Petit, village, and 1er Cru Chablis are impressive, their range of Grand Cru vineyards truly shines. Their notable parcels include approximately 3 hectares in Les Clos, 0.41 hectares in Clos des Hospices dans Les Clos, and smaller holdings in Valmur, Blanchots, and Vaudésir. Consistently producing classic Chablis wines, Christian Moreau is a must-try producer for any Chablis lover. Philosophy: These exceptional vineyard sites, combined with old vines, meticulous winemaking and careful attention to every step of production, have resulted in wines that are widely regarded as some of the finest in Chablis. In the vineyard, they employ ploughing, organic fertilisers, and have maintained a pesticide-free environment since 2004, alongside daily care to prevent disease. Since 2005, they have transitioned to organic agriculture across the vineyard, achieving Ecocert certification with the 2013 vintage. This commitment to sustainability has further enhanced the expression of their vineyards. Harvesting is done entirely by hand, with careful selection of grapes before pressing. Vinification relies solely on natural yeasts, with a balanced use of oak barrels and stainless steel tanks to highlight each wine's unique expression. They implement a comprehensive yield management strategy to enhance grape concentration and showcase the terroir. With investments in new tanks and other winemaking techniques, their cellar is equipped for separate vinification of each parcel accurately represent terroir. The results are evident in each vintage. The wines of Domaine Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are known for their precision, clear typicity and elegance. They have the ability to age gracefully while providing immense pleasure throughout their lives Fabien Moreau, who took over as winemaker in 2002, has already made a significant impact. With previous experience in New Zealand and a deep respect for terroir, Fabien is a visionary winemaker. The wines of Christian Moreau Pere et Fils are authentic, distinctive and of exceptional quality. Nose – White Florals, Honey Citrus, Lanolin Elegant white florals and honeyed citrus, with a hint of lanolin that intensifies with aeration. Palate – Whiff of Smoke, Waxy, Apricot A touch of smoke and honey opens up to ripe yellow cherry and apricot flavours, anchored by a steely core and vibrant acidity. Finish – Lemon Zest, Almond Meal, Balanced The finish is beautifully balanced, with a touch of yeasty savouriness and a hint of lemon zest and almond meal. The 2023 Chablis Vaillon 1er Cru is certainly a level up over the Village Cru. Slightly more floral, hints of lanolin come through with aeration. The palate is nicely balanced with a touch of honeyed opening. Plus and pure, with lower acidity than the previous vintage but pretty and welcoming. - Neal Martin, Vinous, 88-90 Points

Moreau’s village Chablis is drawn mostly from 20 to 30 year old vineyards in Préhy and Courgis, both in the south of Chablis. Then, there are parcels in Chablis and Chichée (under the Premier Cru Vaugiraut). All up, the domaine has the luxury of working with 30 parcels scattered across the appellation, representing a variety of soil structures and exposures. All the fruit from the younger vines is sold off in bulk, which perennially helps Moreau deliver a Chablis greater than the sum of its parts. The Chablis was picked over various dates, depending on the plot. The fruit was subject to a very gentle four-hour press, and the juice was fermented with natural yeasts (a rarity in Chablis). It was raised mostly in tank, yet the élevage was unhurried. This spent 20 months on lees, considerably longer than most Chablis of this level. These traditional methods, along with hand-harvesting, the quality of the terroir, low yields and the full ripeness levels at which the fruit is harvested help to explain the mouth coating texture, salty depths and the quality that is on offer.

Lanson Blanc de Blancs Champagne was created by winemaker Herve Dantan, when he joined the Lanson House back in 2013. It combines the freshness style of Lanson champagnes with the delicacy of the Chardonnay. The grapes come from the best Chardonnay crus in Champagne including Oger, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Vertux. It is made with 40% reserve wines from Grands and Premiers Crus matured in Oak Cask and gets aged for 5 years in the Lanson House cellars before getting released.Lanson Blanc de Blancs is a gold luminous champagne with fine and lively bubbles. The nose reveal aromas of fine pastry, frangipane notes, candied citrus and fresh pear. On the palate this champagne is precise and generous, with flavours of candied lemon, almond, nougat and honey and a long finish.

Ten Minutes by Tractor have access to some of the Mornington Peninsula's very best single vineyard sites. The Wallis Vineyard produces a Chardonnay of uptmost power and elegance here. Some delicious texture and weight are great features of this wine where fresh citrus provides contrast on the palate and some nice oak provides the structure.

Gary Farr is still one of Victoria's true Chardonnay maestro's and his Chardonnay By Farr is another example. Taken from the original By Farr vineyard, this is a clearly a wine of true clarity and finesse. Flavours of melon and hints of spice with wonderful oak integration mean this wine is simply delicious upon release, but handle some careful medium-term cellaring.