<p>These grand cru offers all the qualities of a Bourgogne Blanc, stunningly intensified. They have a beautiful bright gold robe and a rich, complex bouquet of hazelnut and honey. They have full-bodied and firm but also quite soft on the palate, with intense flavors that carry through a very long finish.</p>

<p><strong>Sauternes</strong> is home to arguably the most prestigious and long-lived sweet wines in the world. Located 65 km south of the city of Bordeaux at the southern tip of the Graves, the appellation has 2100 ha of vineyards planted on flat, alluvial gravels overlying thick layers of limestone. Although viewed as one appellation, Sauternes actually consists of five communes; Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignanc, and Sauternes with Barsac also a designated appellation in its own right. What makes Sauternes unique is its special mesoclimate caused by the confluence of the Ciron and the Garonne rivers.</p>

Warm climate/Elevation 500-600m Mudgee, located in the central west of New South Wales, is an up-and-coming Shiraz region. Located in the crater of an extinct volcano this area has a viticultural history spanning almost 150 years. Curiously, however, the region came to prominence only in the 1970s. Huntington Estate, established in the late 1960s, has produced some exceptional Shiraz-based wines. The last decade has seen significant capital investment ploughed into this region. Rosemount and Orlando are particularly active. The climate is warm to hot, with a high degree of continentality and spring frosts are a problem. Soils are generally sandy loams and red sandy clay loams. The best vineyard sites are located at elevations of around 500m on slopes. Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's

Cool climate/Elevation 600-850m Orange has attracted significant capital investment in viticultural development over the last decade. The region is dominated by Mount Canobolas, an extinct volcano that rises to almost 1400m. Most of the vineyards are north and north-east facing and located at altitudes of 600 to 800m. At higher elevations, the vineyards are planted on predominantly red volcanic soils. The region experiences a high degree of continentality – spring frosts and hail can be a problem. In winter the vineyards will often get a brushing of snow. This region shows great promise. Rosemount has done much to highlight its potential. Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot all show promise, although this area has yet to really prove itself. Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's