By Leigh O’Connor.
A glass of sparkling wine is the best way to celebrate a special occasion such as ringing in the New Year – just the sound of popping open a bottle feels festive.
As Mark Twain once said: "One holds a bottle of red wine by the neck, a woman by the waist and a bottle of champagne by the derriere.”
While British novelist Hester Browne was more expansive:
"Always keep a bottle of champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes, the special occasion is that you’ve got a bottle of champagne in the fridge!”
Whatever the reason, bubbles tickle the nose and the party with endless hours of good times. Here are three top drops to make your New Year’s Eve sparkle as 2023 awaits.
Boasting more than 132 years of winemaking excellence Brown Brothers in Milawa brings people together over wine…60 varieties of the stuff! Four generations and many sisters later, this winemaker may be steeped in history but it stomps its grapes for tomorrow’s taste buds.
This New Year, don’t go past Brown & Co. A Little Bubbly Prosecco to toast the arrival of another year. A little bubbly and a little vibrant, this sparkling sensation hits with a bang – apple, pear and a crisp citrus tang meet a bright and refreshing finish.
With a bright straw colour and subtle green hues, full fruit flavours follow through to the palate; drink this Prosecco young for any celebration, best paired with sushi, sashimi, seafood and light cheese like fresh goats’ curd and camembert.
While Australia is facing a Champagne shortage as we head into the festive season, many Aussies have been stressed and frazzled that they may be faced with a bubble-less Christmas. In what could be described as a Christmas miracle, ALDI’s popular French champagne is in full supply and ready to be picked up in time for festive celebrations.
ALDI’s award-winning Monsigny Champagne Premier Cru NV is in stock, on shelves and ready to pop at a price that means you won’t need to break the bank or rob your neighbours for a bottle of high-quality Champagne this Summer.
Produced by an awarded family estate in the hallowed town of Epernay within the Champagne region of France, this Premier Cru Champagne is a complex, creamy style with notes of red apples - perfect for a hot, Summer’s day. ALDI liquor is not available in Qld or SA stores.
Synonymous with elegance and refinement, Clover Hill Vineyard in Lebrina is one of Australia's very few premium sparkling wine producers in the traditional method. Established in 1986 on the site of an old dairy farm in North-eastern Tasmania, Clover Hill has a reputation for uncompromising quality, which has been recognised with awards like twice being awarded the state's vineyard of the year.
For a pink tinge to New Year celebrations, opt for Clover Hill Vintage Rosé, produced from the Pipers River region of North-eastern Tasmania. An exquisite wine with a soft salmon blush, this drop has a persistent bead and mouth-filling mousse; along with rich flavours of strawberry, citrus and hints of brioche.
A fine, crisp and textural sparkling wine, it has a superb dosage balance and persistence – enjoy as an aperitif or pair with light fish and meat dishes.
Remember, if you can’t be with the one you love, love the wine you’re with!
