By Leigh O’Connor.
Warnings of a global champagne shortage over the festive season have fizzy drinkers in a spin…we obviously drank too much during lockdown!
Keep calm people, we are blessed Down Under with a plethora of excellent sparkling wines to put the fizz into Christmas. Australia produces some stunning sparklers from Methode Traditionelle to blood orange and rosé.
Here are three of our picks to make your Christmas Day bubbling with excitement:
The picturesque Adelaide Hills township of Chain of Ponds was established as a friendly watering hole and resting place for weary travellers, their stories live on through the wines produced in the area.
Established in 1986 on the outskirts of Gumeracha, Chain of Ponds winery was the first major planting of any note in the northern area of the Adelaide Hills wine region. The vineyard’s NV Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot, with fresh citrus, peach and strawberry notes, coupled with subtle freshly baked bread.
A perfect start to your festive celebration as an aperitif or served with canapés, this bubbles is best enjoyed young. For pairings out of the box this festive season, think fairy floss, apple pie, Nutella and waffles as breaky bubbles offerings.
Want to get 30% off Chain of Ponds wines? Just for AGFG readers, use this code ‘AGFG30’ to receive 30% off storewide.
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.
Clover Hill’s Prestige Late Disgorged Blanc de Blanc is the epitome of the signature house style – a true combination of passion and patience. The 2008 vintage in Tasmania was cool and mild resulting in moderate to high yield with low disease pressure and great natural acid retention.
The cool weather provided a long growing season which produced an exceptionally high-quality sparkling base wine, perfectly showcased in this iconic 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blanc house style. With a bright, medium straw hue, this bubbles has notes of grapefruit, lemon butter and star fruit, along with a creamy texture and mouth-filling intensity.
Creating great-tasting wines which reflect the true character of the grape and the land is the ethos behind Jacob’s Creek on Barossa Valley Way in Rowland Flat. Built on the banks of Jacob’s Creek, which still flows through the heart of the Barossa, the vineyards stretch to the Adelaide Hills and Coonawarra, producing wine that’s inspired by the regions they are grown in.
For something different this festive season, try the 1847 Range Sparkling Rosé with lively fruit flavours of red berries, spice and Turkish delight, supported by a mineral acid line, leading to a long, well-balanced finish.
Don’t make any pour decisions this holiday season…say cheers to bubbly festive fun!
