Alkoomi takes advantage of the cool maritime climes around it's Frankland River vineyards to showcase the natural charm of Chardonnay. Finished to a fresh and fruit driven unoaked styling, the wonderful features of this wine make it a cinch with all good faire.

$1699each $201DOZEN EACH DOZEN Alkoomi make use of water supplied from on site dams efficiently to prevent vine stress during extended dry periods without sacrificing the naturally low yields that produce concentrated flavours. The vines are all pruned by hand, harvesting occurs in the cool of the morning, usually starting at 2.00 am, to ensure that grapes arrive at the winery in top condition. The winery is completely self-contained, including bottling, labelling and packaging. Chardonnay grapes are picked in the second week of February having achieved the perfect baumes and pH levels for this style of wine. Alkoomi was tank fermented and bottled immediately after vinification to retain freshness. Alcohol 13.3%

Brilliant pale straw with light green hues. Aroma of peaches and cream with subtle savoury notes. The balanced palate is rich with creamy length flavours of rockmelon and peach are complemented by underlying citrus notes and supported by nutty complexity, leading to a lingering, full flavoured finish. A wine made to appreciate in its youth, vibrant and fresh.

Alta had a clear vision from day one, to showcase the Adelaide Hills as Australia's premiere cool climate wine region. Emphasis was placed on a careful selection of site, grape variety and controlled yields of the highest quality hand picked fruit. Alta was adamant that the Adelaide Hills would make a very good Pinot Grigio wine and have now made sure there's no doubt about it. Alta is fashioned to the Italian style, relying heavily on the varietal characters and naturally high acid levels in the grapes at harvest to provide aromatics and structure.

$1999each $237DOZEN EACH DOZEN Regular vineyard assessments leading up to harvest ensure that fruit is harvested when the flavours are at their optimal intensity. Grapes are hand picked just prior to any decline of natural acid levels and treated to a whole bunch press ensuring the retention of soft juices that are vibrant in colour and low in phenolics. A complimentary strain of yeast is selected for its ability to highlight primary fruit flavours while enhancing palate structure. A cool tank vinification achieves a pristine wine with great depth of flavour. In keeping with the true Grigio style, Alta is filtered and retained in fermenters until the final assemblage, completely unwooded and unoaked.

Vibrant pale yellow hue. Highly aromatic with spring blossom and fresh corella pear fragrances, spiced grapefruit and citrus blossom. A tightly structured palate expressing an excellent purity of fruit. Rich lemon and spiced pear flavours concentrate through the mid palate and linger through to a dry savoury finish. Exhibits great structure and will suit everything from white meats to Al fresco, a fine match to chilli infused and Asian inspired crustacea.

The choicest parcels of Pinot Gris are harvested from high altitude King Valley vineyards where the long and sunny autumn days combine with cool nights to yield fully ripened grapes exhibiting crisp fruity acids and well defined varietal expression. The winemaking team at Armchair Critic have taken great effort to fashion an exemplary Pinot Gris without the influence of any oak, to showcase all the prime fruit characters which make this innately food friendly style of wine the first choice to accompany white meats, seafoods and risotto.

$1299each $153DOZEN EACH DOZEN Under & Over are crafted through a minimalist approach to vinification, the focus being on maximum expression of distinctive varietal fruit character and heightened regionality. Vines planted to clay loam soils at altitudes of 650 metres above sea level are nourished by ample rainfall and stimulated by the crisp, temperate conditions to grow Pinot Gris with flavour profiles very akin to their siblings in Alsace and the cooler climes of France. Grapes are treated to a brisk tank fermentation at lower temperatures in a quick and precise manner to maximize and retain purity of varietal fruit character. The finished wine is matured unoaked on sedimentery lees to build texture while maintaining freshness and vibrant acidity.

Pale colour with fine clarity. Lovely nose full of rose petal and orange blossoms, exhibiting a clean minerality. The palate is fruit driven, light to medium bodied with pear and nectarine flavours matched by spicey and floral nuances, showing the trademark viscosity and classic Pinot Gris textures.

Margaret River has cordially received the native Verdelho grape of Portugal, to make it, it's very own. Small wonder, as the maritime climes and sultry Indian Ocean breezes stimulate the vines with ideal conditions to ripen fully and develop maximum fruit flavour. Ashbrook is one of the oldest producers in Margaret River and has been fashioning Verdelho wines of some import for over a quarter of a century. The vineyard is now fully mature and yielding the finest Verdelho.

$2299each $273DOZEN EACH DOZEN Verdelho first came to prominence in the early days of West Australian viticulture when the patriarch of Swan Valley winemakers, Jack Mann, saw the potential of the variety for making fresh, lively table wines which are immediately approachable yet agemagnificently. The development of Margaret River saw Verdelho planted to cooler environs, encouraging the grape to develop fully it's unique varietal characters. Surrounded by large eucalypts trees, the mild, sunny growing seasons of Ashbrook Estate accentuate the fruit flavours and natural crisp acidity of Verdelho. The vines yield grapes with exceptional concentration of fruit, vinified unoaked and unwooded, to express essential fruit character.

Pale green/ straw colour. Ashbrook displays varietal bouquets of orange and passionfruit. The palate mirrors the aromatics, the naturally assertive acidity of Verdelho complements the elegant flavours and gives the wine a refreshing finish. An excellent depth and fullness of fruit, Ashbrook is sure to develop attractive honeyed characters. But who can wait? Serve chilled as the perfect accompaniment to fresh seafood and spicy cuisine.

The Bidgeebong Triangle encompasses three distinct districts, Tumbarumba at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, Hilltops and the Murrumbidgee plain around Gundagai. A vibrantly fruit driven, easy drinking cool climate Chardonnay, the finish is long and lingering.

$1499each $177DOZEN EACH DOZEN Bidgeebong's state of the art winery is located at Wagga Wagga, in close proximity to Charles Sturt University, the nation's major wine science and research centre. Bidgeebong's vineyards are meticulously managed to yield grapes of optimum flavour and balanced acidity. The estate's Chardonnay vines in particular are some of the most fastidiously husbanded examples in the region. Parcels of Chardonnay are harvested and delivered promptly to the estate wineworks where they are crushed, inoculated and vinified to a fruit driven style, completely unwooded and unoaked. A combination of natural and controlled primary fermentation techniques are employed to construct a wine of great depth and complexity. Alcohol 12.5%

Mid straw colour. Clean and flavoursome with an abundance of tropical fruit flavours and aromas. A rich and generous easy drinking Chardonnay showing vigorous varietal characters complemented by a fresh clean finish. A white that would go nicely with smoked trout, fetta quiche or salmon fillets.

The benchmark in Langhorne Creek Chardonnay, vinified from the choicest parcels of fruit grown to some of the nation's most fertile soils. Whilst Bleasdale is steeped in the history of Australian red winemaking, it maintains a flair for impressive whites. A dry unwooded style showing attractive fresh lingering flavours of pear juice, melons and peaches. This is a wine to enjoy while it is young and lively, match with chicken and seafood dishes for maximum enjoyment. Bleasdale is full, round and lively, with a soft, creamy texture and inspired, lingering flavours.

$1699each $201DOZEN EACH DOZEN Founded in 1850, Bleasdale make honest, consistent, reliable wines which are enjoyed throughout the world. The vineyards are situated on the fertile flood plains of the Bremer River, which runs parallel to Langhorne Creek. The region still experiences natural floods from the high rainfall that gushes out of the Adelaide Hills and heads towards the sea from time to time. The deluge gives vines a deep soaking drink just before the parching Australian summer. Bleasdale is treated to a cold temperature controlled fermentation with select yeasts, followed by prompt bottling to achieve a well balanced Chardonnay with fruit dominance and good complexity while retaining vibrant aromatics. Alcohol 13.5%

Pale yellow colour. Aromas of citrus and peach, delicate fragrances of honey dew and granny smith. A palate of bright varietal characters showing pear, lemon and melons.

Frank Potts planted Verdelho cuttings from the isle of Madeira on the rich alluvial flood plains of Langhorne Creek in the 1860s. Today, Bleasdale's Verdelho is fast emerging as one of Langhorne Creek's most savoury and pleasant drink now whites. Some of the grapes are hand picked from vines over eighty yeas of age. An estery, lifted fruit style of Verdelho wine, unwooded and dry, crisp and refreshing with zippy acidity and ripe fruit salad flavours, seasoned by a touch of lithe perfumed grassyness.

$1699each $201DOZEN EACH DOZEN Bleasdale is Langhorne Creek's founding winework and Australia's second oldest family owner/ operated winemaking estate. The grumpy and shy bearing old vines which yield some of the nation's finest Verdelho deserve respect. In the cool of the night you'll find Michael and Robbie Potts with their merry band of growers, carefully harvesting the wonderful old vines fruit. The early ripening Verdelho is treated to low temperatures throughout the vinification process, producing a crisp white wine which exudes lifted fruit salad aromas and lively tropical and citrus flavours. Fermented to dryness and bottled whilst young to capture the freshness and vital herbaceous characters, so important to the finished wine. Alcohol 12.5%

Light green straw hue. Fresh lifted aromas of lemon zest with floral notes and hints of fresh herb. Zippy bouquets packed with loads of fragrant orange blossom, melon and kiwi fruits. The palate follows through with ripe lemon and lime citrus flavours, complexed by stonefruits, a fresh zippy acidity and extra length. Broad in texture, with floral characters and a gentle leafyness that opens up, lingering on the citrus finish. The rich and lively fruit on the palate, working in fine tandem with a wildly refreshing acid, make Potts Catch a natural food wine in it's youth, to be enjoyed alongside fish and seafood recipes.

Montana burst onto the international stage in 1990 when it won the Marquis De Goulaine Trophy for best Sauvignon Blanc anywhere in the world. Now considered the benchmark of New Zealand, Brancott by Montana is an assemblage of fruit grown to choice sites across the generous soils of Marlborough. Three main terroirs predominate, on the northern side of the Wairau valley are young soils based on river silts and stone. At the southern side and along the side valleys leading away are much older soils with higher clay contents based on glacial outwash.

$1299each $153DOZEN EACH DOZEN Marlborough is one of the most exciting places to grow Sauvignon Blanc. Soils in the Awatere Valley further to the south are of an intermediate age based originally on river silts but uplifted with time allowing soil development without further river deposits. A mix of five main rootstocks, SO4, 3309, 101/14, RG and Schwarzman. Most of the grapes are crushed and left in contact with skins for a few hours to increase the extraction process, achieving strength and fullness of flavour. The remainder is gently bag pressed to achieve fresh, clear juices which are fermented slowly at cool temperatures to retain the very distinctive regional and varietal characters. Bottled completely unwooded and unoaked.

Pale straw in colour with green highlights. Aromas of ripe, red capsicum and gooseberry dominate with tropical pineapple and grapefruit notes apparent. Displays full intensity of fruit, the ripe capsicum and gooseberry flavours with hints of pungency sit well alongside the supporting tropical fruit flavours. A well balanced wine showing the lively, crisp acidity associated with this style. Made to drink while young and vivacious, ideally with grilled oysters, barbecued prawns and salmon.

This elegantly aromatic expression of New Zealand Pinot Gris is sourced from cool ripening vineyards around Gisborne and Hawkes Bay. A diverse range of soils and grape characteristics enable the winemakers to negotiate and construct an animated style of wine. Free draining stones over silt produce tighter, more highly structured wines. Richer soils with increased clay content yield fuller wines with varietal intensity. Gentle pressing and cool fermentation have preserved delicate spice notes, complemented by lush pear and light pineapple characters.

$1699each $201DOZEN EACH DOZEN A mixture of vines and new Pinot Gris clones on Millardet 101-14, Couderc 3309, SO4 and Riparia Gloire rootstock. All of the grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed with a minimal skin contact, using a new type of bag press which permits the juices to drain quickly, reducing the skin contact and minimising the extraction of phenolics. Free run juices were fermented at 15°C with CY3079 yeast strains to retain maximum fruit character and add weight to the palate. Small amounts of other varietals may be included in the cépage, adding interest by enhancing the aromatics and flavour. Completely unwooded and unoaked, racked off lees before fining, filtered and bottled early to retain the fresh fruit characters.

Light straw in colour. Aromas of fresh pear, stonefruits and subtle tropical notes. The palate shows pear and ripe citrus flavours, finishing to a well balanced, natural acidity. An assemblage of key cool climate vineyards achieves an immensely satisfying wine with distinct varietal character, intensity and freshness, fashioned to a style that epitomises the unique qualities of Pinot Gris grown to New Zealand's northeast. Best enjoyed while young and lightly chilled, the classic food wine, ideally suited to a range of cuisine including spicey Asian, tapas or Al fresco.

Margaret River conjures up images of windswept capes and maritime living, the Fremantle doctor and balmy nights around a good bottle or two of chilled Chardonnay. Breathing Space are all about the fun and funk of the sun and surf, an exciting range of contemporarily styled wines which are designed to escape the chaos of the big city and bring the drinker to a place that's always relaxed and easy, perpetually sunny and 30°C. A fresh and crisp Chardonnay, minimally handled, permitting the Margaret River fruit to speak without the influence of any oak.

$1499each $177DOZEN EACH DOZEN Sourced from premiere vineyards, Breathing Space puts a focus on capturing the intense Margaret River regionality while retaining eloquence of varietal character. The highly favourable mesoclimes are further tempered by prevailing winds from the Indian Ocean which deliver excellent ripening conditions throughout the growing season. Great emphasis is placed on the selection of Chardonnay, minimal winemaking influence allows the fruit to be the defining factor in the finished wine. The finished Chardonnay wine is fashioned to drinking beautifully immediately upon release, bottles promptly after vinification, vitally fruit driven, unwooded and unoaked. Alcohol 12.5%

Light lemon straw colour. Luscious nose of rock melon, peaches, nectarine and honey dew. Persistent palate of green melon and bright, primary orchard fruit flavours, golden delicious and guava over a soft, youthful acidity. A clean finish with crisp mineral textures and refined summer straw notes. A delightfully fresh rendering of Margaret River Chardonnay that drinks magnificently on its own and flatters white meat dishes, fresh seafood or pungent, wet soft cheese.

What makes a great vintage for Hunter Valley Semillon? Most would say one without rain or drought. While this is certainly important, balance in the wine reigns supreme. Mid January always brings with it a slight nervousness in the Hunter Valley. Having been battered vintage after vintage with drought and pouring rain, is it any wonder that black cats are avoided and ladders given a wide berth?.

$1999each $237DOZEN EACH DOZEN Brokenwood's first vintage was a labour of love for the partners, friends and families conscripted to help. Grapes were carried to the winery in the back seat of Len Evans Bentley. Since then, the estate has learned to live with drought and adversity, and to nourish it's precious vines on a wing and a prayer. In 1982, Brokenwood extended its operations to include the jewel of the Hunter Valley and planted it's vineyards to Semillon. Harvesting is all done by hand, grapes are crushed, chilled and immediately pressed. Neutral yeasts are applied and the juices are inoculated for vinification in fermenters, unwooded and unoaked without any malolactic. Alcohol 11.0%

A beautiful luminous green hue. Distinctive Hunter lemongrass/ straw aromas with some sweet apple blossom characters on release. Sweet fruit flavours initially on the palate indicating perfect ripeness at harvest. Excellent acid structure, long flavours of lime and apple blossom. Perfect in its youth and a wine that will bottle age gracefully. To accompany Asian recipes and all good seafood especially oysters.

This unwooded dry white wine is an assemblage of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. Brown Brothers can lay claim to debuting unique wine styles, Everton succeeds in fully integrating three heretofore unmatched varietals. The Chardonnay imparts body and length while the Sauvignon Blanc contributes lifted, herbaceous aromas and vibrant acidity. A small proportion of Pinot Grigio is added to contribute a nice savoury background. The three grapes combine into a complete wine thats greater than the sum of the parts.

$1299each $153DOZEN EACH DOZEN The Brown Brothers team settled on Chardonnay as primary component for the final wine. The body, weight and length of palate was embellished by Sauvignon Blanc, which brought a measure of aromaticness and herbaceousness. Pinot Grigio was included for complexity and definition. Grapes are harvested in separate parcels at baumé levels ranging from 11.5 to 13.0 throughout the night to maintain freshness and aromatic qualities, followed by inoculation and a cool, temperature controlled fermentation. Everton is completely unwooded and has received no oak contact so as not to inhibit the complexity of fruit. Everton is bottled immediately after vinification is completed with an alcohol of 13.0%

A pale straw colour. Displays youthful aromas of Chardonnay peach and Sauvignon grassiness. The palate exhibits the fullness and stone fruit flavours of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc contributes a lively, racy edge and a fresh crisp finish. Best enjoyed young, this easy drinking wine offers fantastic versatility, enjoy with barbequed salmon or chicken supreme.