Pop open this great value and delicious sparkler. It's from Tasmanian Vintners, a joint venture between Tassie businessman Rod Roberts and Fogarty Wine Group (Deep Woods, Evans & Tate, Dalwhinnie). They've attracted some extraordinary winemakers, including Marlborough-born Liam McElhinney, the former Jimmy Watson Trophy winner. The brief is to produce stylish, modern wines from premium Tasmanian fruit with an identity that remains somewhat mysterious. This sparkling cuvee boasts crisp apple, lemon and hints of strawberry and cashew. A lovely way to kick off a backyard feast. Yum!

The Wine: Pale straw in colour with aromas of citrus, stone fruits and subtle oak; flavours of nectarine and white peach are complimented with light toasted oak. Balanced, long and soft. The Grapes: Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in the world. A versatile variety that can produce a broad range of styles from light and lean to full and rich. The style is shaped by ripeness of fruit at harvest and the winemaking techniques used.

From the Lange family estate and vineyard situated in the picturesque Frankland River, tucked away in the far northwestern corner of the Great Southern. “This is a potent Chardonnnay of power and presence. Toasty whiffs with cedar and clove spice, some rich, hazelnut elements, ripe citrus, red apple and rockmelon in tow. The palate similar to the bouquet, bold and spicy, laden with woody seasoning and generous to a tee. In all that, the balance works well” (Halliday).

Multi Trophy-winning Sam Trimboli must be one of the country's most in-demand winemakers. But after 30-odd years working for other wineries, he took the big step of setting up on his own in 2018 – and, being an old friend of ours, we backed him every step of the way. In return, Sam creates some excellent wines just for us, most have become bestsellers. We suspect this cracking Chardonnay will shortly join them.

From cool slopes 530 metres above sea level in the Snowy Mountains, comes a classy Chardonnay that strikes a balance between fresh fruit and French oak. Generous nectarine and rockmelon aromas on the nose; characteristic Tumbarumba crispness on the palate, with fresh stone fruit flavours and a hint of honey on the way to a clean finish. Matured in 15% new French oak. Gold medals around the world (including at the International Wine & Spirits Awards and the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge) underline the appeal of genuinely cool-climate Australian Chardonnay.