Tasting and Talks
  20.09.08
Australian Sparkling
 


Sparkling wine just may be the perfect summer drink, especially since it’s summer all year round in Malaysia. It's cold, it's thirst-quenching, and it's festive, plus Australia’s sparkling wines can be terrific values.

Quality 

Aficionados of French Champagne may be surprised to discover the tremendous break-throughs in quality made by top Australian producers. Some are creating sparkling wines that could be mistaken for their French counterparts, while others are making more generously fruity New World versions. This quality upgrade is partially thanks to experience (the French didn't achieve greatness overnight either) and partly due to an increased use of grapes from cool climates, resulting in wines with fresher flavours and more lively acidity.
Sparklers  

Only the sparkling wine produced in France's Champagne region should be called Champagne, but the best Australian sparklers are made by the method employed there, from classic Champagne grapes, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Great Bottles

Grant Burge Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay N/V ( Caldbeck Macgregor ) Although, the Grant Burge winery was only established in the Barossa Valley way since 1988. It has gone on to win many accolades and has become one of the top 10 privately owned wine companies in Australia. It makes this pale-copper-coloured "white from black" wine mostly with Pinot Noir plus a little Chardonnay.

Jacobs Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir N/V ( Pernod Ricard ) This refreshing, delicious, dry wine from Australian stalwart Jacobs Creek is impressive for the price.

Leconfield Sparkling Shiraz 2004 ( Milawa )The Hamilton family is one of Australia’s pioneering wine families. And  is among South Australia’s most venerable red wine producers. This rich and juicy bottling of sparkling Shiraz epitomizes their pioneering style and spirit.

Jacob Creek Sparkling Brut Rosé N/V ( Pernod Ricard ) Jacobs Creek best selling sparkling last year must have been this. This sparkling rosé is quite dry, though packed with blossomy red fruit and grapefruit flavours; its crisp finish is as refreshing as it is food-friendly.

 
“ Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine has ever been granted by the gods to man “ - Plato, Greek philosopher
 
 
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