Sparkling wines hold a special place in many wine lovers’ hearts. The effervescence, the special glassware, and the ice bucket, all work together to create a sense of celebration.
While a bottle of champagne sounds like too costly for everyday consumption, there are worthy Australian alternatives that are equally worthy a try.
Today, Australia is without a doubt one of the world’s top sparkling wine producers. In the 1800s, cooler regions in Australia producing sparkling wines and crafting bubbles to suit every occasion – from picnics, Netflix evenings with KFC and barbecue to dinner parties and more.
East End Cellars prides itself as a supporter of local wine producers, possessing an array of local sparkling wines that could perfectly quench your bubble thirst. Here are their top picks!
La Petite Vanguard Tinta Barroca/Sangiovese/Zibbibo Pet Nat 2022
La Petite Vanguard is Michael Corbett’s love project. The wines are usually youthful, stylish and gastronomic; and this pet nat is no different.
Michael never intended to use Riverland fruits, but he changed his mind when the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire took out the Adelaide Hills vineyard from which he sourced fruit for some of his whites.
He pays a higher price for fruits in the Riverland for hand harvest and organic farming. The Riverland is now changing from its past reputation as a bulk wine destination to a more premium region with effort devoted by winemakers like Michael.
This Pet Nat tastes bloody delicious. It is light and fluffy with red plum – tasting delight, where the gentle fruit sweetness and frisky fizz is cleverly balanced by the natural acidity and subtle spices. Enjoyed chilled in a sunny afternoon, it’ll be the perfect aperitif.
Price: $30.00 (buy here)
Cellar Door: La Petite Vanguard – 121A Radford Road, Seppeltsfield 5355
Turon Wines Blanc de Noir 2020
Turon White has over a decade of winemaking experience in the Adelaide Hills and he is also the chief winemaker of The Lane Vineyard. But East End Cellars believes it is through his own Turon label where he showcases his true understanding of the hills and cool-climate winemaking.
This dangerously delicious sparkling is made from 100% pinot noir grapes grown in Adelaide Hills. It displays a fine creamy bead, lovely citrus tanginess and subtle yet seductive rose petal fragrance.
Price: $32.00 (buy here)
Deviation Road Loftia Vintage Brut 2018
All students who studied wine in University of Adelaide will know Kate Laurie, as she is the legendary wine lecturer in the sparkling wine and champagne section. Her sparkling wines are all fermented, bottled and disgorged by hand, on-site at her Longwood winery.
Deviation Road sources fruit from sites located above 500m in the Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley regions of the Adelaide Hills. These sites consistently produce outstanding Pinot and Chardonnay for sparkling wine.
2018 had a warm summer and cooler than average March which produced fruit with great depth of flavour. Loftia is famously crisp and zesty, the perfect aperitif style sparkling wine. Premium Pinot Noir gives aromas of rose petal, red apple and spice which precede the creamy mousse and citrus finish that the Chardonnay delivers.
Price: $55.00 (buy here)
Cellar Door: Deviation Road – 207 Scott Creek Road, Longwood, 5153
DAOSA Natural Reserve Sparkling NV
Xavier and Lucy both grew up surrounded by passionate winemaking families – Xavier in Champagne, France and Lucy in the Adelaide Hills. In 1995 and 1996, Xavier’s father Christian Bizot planted the Bizot Vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, with various Chardonnay clones on the expert advice of Lucy’s father Brian Croser from Petaluma. The Bizot Vineyard was leased to Petaluma for the Croser sparkling label.
In 2016 they made their first DAOSA Pinot Noir sparkling base from selected Piccadilly Valley blocks which we manage, destined for our first release of the DAOSA Natural Réserve in 2018. DAOSA Natural Réserve is aged on lees for at least 18 months before release and is a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend (Pinot Noir (83%) and Chardonnay (17%).
This is only the third release of this wine and shows classic Pinot Noir characters on the mid palate, balanced with beautiful complexity and length from the réserve wine. A classic example of méthode traditionelle Australian sparkling wine. The result is amazing. This sparkling wine has great tension and power. There are notes of fresh fuji apple, spiced quince, lemon peels, brioche and it finish so long and creamy.
Price: $46.00 (buy here)
Cellar Door: DAOSA – 15 Spring Gully Road, Piccadilly SA 5151
This article was written by East End Cellars Sommelier, Iris Zhang. East End Cellars is premium wine cellar located in the Adelaide CBD. To learn more, visit the East End Cellars website.
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