2012 Baily & Baily Folio Margaret River Chardonnay, 2011 Marlborough Saint Clair Gruner Veltliner

If you want to test Margaret River Chardonnay, then you can buy a Fairbrossen from the Clunes Wine Store – look for the retro 'Wine Store' sign. Or try the 2012 Baily & Baily Folio Margaret River Chardonnay from Dan Murphy's, Lismore. It's a classic, very drinkable Chardy. In fact, I highly recommend this very reasonably priced Baily &Baily Folio series which 'showcases the flagship varieties and styles from Australia's premier wine regions'. It's equal to the well-priced and very good quality Yalumba Y series.

 

On my trips to the independent Cellars (Bangalow, Byron and Ballina), I never fail to come across something interesting. Bangalow Cellars has a 2011 Marlborough Saint Clair Gruner Veltliner, a variety not readily available from bottle shops in the Northern Rivers. It is lemony in colour and aroma followed by a wonderful sherbet on a mid to long palate. It's difficult for me to think of GV, like Arneis, ever being bad. While usually like clear water, which I love, this GV is more flavoursome and therefore more irresistible.