Nothing says "holidays" like a bottle of bubbles. Here are 12 sparkling wines perfect for celebrating with this season.
NV Chain of Ponds Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Fresh stone fruits, citrus zest, green apple and quince, with hints of fresh strawberries. Balanced by a savoury, freshly baked bread note, fine bead and refreshing acidity.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
This wine has been made with enjoyment at the forefront, its vibrant effervescence a reflection of the festivities. Its freshness complements freshly peeled prawns with cocktail sauce, decadent baked ham, pavlovas, and their associated overindulgence.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Produced using the Charmat (tank) method, which has allowed us to build complexity and texture in the base wine yet still retain freshness and restraint with fruit liveliness in the finished product.
RRP $25 | chainofponds.com.au
2021 Contentious Character Give It A Burl Shirl Sparkling Chardonnay
Green apple with a crunchy texture and some hints of stonefruit, this lively and fresh sparkling is sure to please.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
This is a bright and vibrant sparkling with plenty of flavour and fresh acidity. It pairs well with succulent roast pork, a seafood platter, or is just as a refreshing drink on a hot day.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Made via the Charmat method, the chardonnay grapes were picked early while still exhibiting green apple flavours. They lift the wine and provide a crunchy moreish texture, supported by clean, fresh acidity giving it length.
RRP $35 | contentiouscharacter.com.au
2019 Deviation Road Loftia Vintage Brut
A complex yet elegant sparkling wine. Aromas of lemon blossom, pear and apple skin are layered over almond croissant, lifted spice and rhubarb compote. A lovely dry palate, fresh and crisp, with a subtle, moreish finish.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
An award-winning méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine for under $50 makes the Loftia an affordable go-to for celebrations. With layers of complexity, this wine is ideal as an aperitif or with food.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Fermented in stainless steel to retain fruit purity, with select parcels going through malo to naturally balance the acidity. Wines are bottled by hand and stored at 14˚C for minimum three years on lees before hand disgorging and finishing with a low dosage of 4g/L.
RRP $48 | deviationroad.com
2015 Gatt Sparkling Shiraz
Deep plum with hints of cigar box, cinnamon and caramel. Spiced fruits over a creamy bead and elegant tannins. Warm spices and dark berries are on the long, dry finish.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
Dark and brooding, brimming with deep spices and rich purple fruits, this sparkling shiraz matches well across many flavours. Perfect with roast chicken, excellent cheeses and sticky date pudding. Serve chilled.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
The base wine was fermented on skins and matured for 15 months in 30 per cent French and 70 per cent American seasoned oak barrels before blending. Liqueured with vintage fortified after secondary fermentation, the wine was then bottled under pressure.
RRP $36 | gattwines.com
2016 Henkell Vintage Brut
Bottle fermented and aged in cool limestone cellars, this sparkling wine has a light golden hue and a fine delicate bead, with subtle notes of fresh ripe peach and hints of hazelnut and brioche.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
This wine offers beautiful complexity at an accessible price point. With its distinct, fuller flavour, this wine is ideal as an aperitif with canapés and savoury appetisers, or with any seafood.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Crafted in the traditional method and made from hand-harvested grapes grown on our vineyards overlooking the Loire river in Saumur. Each bottle is then aged in our centuries-old Tuffeau tunnels.
RRP $26 | Exclusively available at Dan Murphy’s | henkell.com
2017 Howard Park Grand Jeté
Aromas of lemon zest, just-ripe strawberry and blossoms, layered atop sea spray and brioche. The palate displays a bright acidity that complements the wine’s elegant shape and vivacious mousse.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
It's refreshingly crisp and sophisticated with generous depth of flavour and vibrant acidity. Perfect on its own or with freshly shucked Albany rock oysters or Abrolhos Island scallops with a finger lime dressing.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
The fruit is hand-harvested, whole bunch pressed, and then fermented in older French oak and stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation of base wines and addition of reserve wine at dosage enhances complexity. Disgorged in January 2022 after 54 months on lees.
RRP $54 | howardparkwines.com.au
2022 Lloyd Brothers Picpoul Prosecco
A fine, persistent bead with lifted aromas of lemon myrtle, white blossoms and citrus. The fresh, crisp palate has layers of green apples, honeydew melon, lemon and lime.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
A unique blend of picpoul and prosecco (glera) grapes, this fresh, bright sparkling appeals to a large variety of tastes. A fun, well-priced crowd pleaser, perfectly suited to our summery festive season. Serve well chilled, and best enjoyed while young and fresh.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Estate grown fruit was hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. Once the juice had settled, a long, cool ferment took place which helped maintain the lovely notes and aromas and the lovely natural acidity of picpoul.
RRP $28 | lloydbrothers.com.au
2017 Lowestoft Rosé
Fresh ocean spray and cherry blossom aromatics flow onto the palate with hints of toasted hazelnut, vanilla pod and concentrated strawberry. Poised acidity is balanced by a rich mouthfeel. Freshness and length.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
A richly compelling sparkling that adds luxury to any occasion. 44 months on lees before release, it exudes a delightful creamy texture and richness. It can be enjoyed without food but makes a divine pairing with Christmas canapés.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
100 per cent pinot noir, hand-picked and whole bunch pressed. The juice was fermented cool in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and purity. A small portion of pinot noir wine was included in the liqueur d’expedition, adding richness and complexity.
RRP $85 | lowestoft.wine
NV Mezza di Mezzacorona Italian Glacial Bubbly
Rich, intense aromas of red apple, pear, white peach, melon and pineapple with notes of wild mountain rose. A pleasant palate with a soft mousse, persistent bubbles and smooth acidity.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
A crowd-pleasing bubbly, also available in gift boxes, that is perfect to share with loved ones. Its origin is also quite the yarn, handpicked from the foot of the majestic Dolomite mountains in Northern Italy.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
A Charmat method, chardonnay-lead sparkling. After its first fermentation it is matured for up to six months on lees. It undergoes a second fermentation in autoclave for 15 days, then matured again on the lees for up to five months before cold stabilisation, filtration, and bottling.
RRP $25 | vintagecellars.com.au | singlevineyards.com
2011 Pirie Late Disgorged
Made from a batch of the best sparkling wine of 2011 left in our cellars for long term lees ageing. Bright golden in colour, freshly baked sourdough, lemon curd freshness. Powerful and perfectly balanced.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
Only produced in the best years, this concentrated and classically structured wine is designed to offer savoury complexity and elegance, with richness of texture. Our first 10-year wine is the ultimate indulgence over the festive season and is perfect with a range of canapés.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Made in the traditional method with 100 per cent of the wine undergoing malolactic fermentation, and a long, slow secondary fermentation in the bottle. The wine aged for 10 years on lees in the bottle before being disgorged in 2022.
RRP $145 gift-boxed | tamarridge.com.au
NV Strelley Farm Estate Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Aromas of fresh granny smith apple, citrus and sea spray. This refreshing sparkling bursts with crisp citrus flavours and a long creamy finish.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
The festive season is about spending time with loved ones, reminiscing over fun times shared. The Strelley Farm NV encapsulates those celebratory moments, and is a refreshing, appealing sparkling to toast with over the festive season. Pairs beautifully with creamy Tasmanian oysters with a lemon spritz.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Made from a blend of Tasmanian pinot noir and chardonnay, it was carefully fermented using the Charmat method to produce a fresh, appealing and accessible sparkling wine.
RRP $30 | strelleyfarm.wine
NV Thalia Reserve Cuvée
Complex aromatics display French pâtisserie delights and ripe citrus. Fresh bread dough characters, toasted almond and subtle ginger spice. Stone fruit on the palate is embraced by balanced acidity.What makes this sparkling perfect for celebrating the festive season?
Thalia was a goddess of comedy, dance and idyllic poetry, and was portrayed with a smiling mask and crown of ivy. Always one to incite laughter and joy, Thalia is the inspiration for this exceptional sparkling which brings effervescent joy to any occasion.
Tell us about the winemaking process?
Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed and cool fermented in stainless steel. A portion of the juice was fermented in French oak to increase richness and texture.
RRP $65 | thalia.wine
Image credit: Wine Australia.
