Silly Season Sparklers: the Top 50
The sounds of popping bottles are filling the air as the silly season approaches. Not to miss out, retailers and distributors also begin their annual race to the bottom to push sparkling wine and Champagne out the door before the hangover sets in. But which one to buy? For a start, don’t get misled into believing that cut-rate entry-level Champagne is automatically better than its Australian equivalent. It’s almost certainly not. Our winemakers make terrific sparkling wines that easily outpace their French equivalents at much better prices. The very best local bubblies can even foot it with the heavier weight French fizz. So get over your cultural cringe and celebrate St Nick’s arrival with a bottle of local sparkling this Christmas. These are the top 50 this year:
1 | House of Arras Grand Vintage 2007 |
2 | Grant Burge Helene Grande Cuvee 2006 |
3 | B Seppelt & Sons Limited Salinger Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2012 |
4 | Brown Brothers Tasmania Pirie Sparkling NV |
5 | House of Arras E.J Carr Late Disgorged Vintage Brut 2003 |
6 | Verde Gisborne Brut NV |
7 | House of Arras Blanc De Blancs 2006 |
8 | Coldstream Hills Blanc De Blanc 2011 |
9 | Jansz Tasmania Premium Rose NV |
10 | Arras Brut Elite NV |
22 | Josef Chromy Vintage Sparkling 2010 |
23 | De Iuliis Sparkling Chardonnay 2011 |
24 | Brown Brothers Patricia Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut 2010 |
25 | Domaine Chandon Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2012 |
26 | Heemskerk Chardonnay Pinot Noir Sparkling 2011 |
27 | St Huberts Blanc de Noir Sparkling 2010 |
28 | Brown Brothers Tasmania Pirie Vintage Sparkling 2009 |
29 | Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling 2013 |
30 | Daniel Le Brun Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs Marlborough 2011 |
31 | Ashton Hills Sparkling Shiraz 2009 |
31 | Primo Estate Joseph Sparkling Red NV |
33 | NZ Wine Cellars 2012 The Sounds Methode Traditionelle |
34 | Yarra Burn Premium Cuvee Brut NV |
35 | MISTLETOE NSW Mozcato Muscat Blanc 2016 |
36 | Australian Vintage Limited Tempus Two Pewter Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2012 |
37 | Yellowglen Perle Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2012 |
38 | Sidewood Chloe Cuvee 2013 |
39 | Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir Chardonnay Sparkling 2012 |
40 | Taltarni Tache 2012 |
41 | Brown Brothers Pinot Noir Chardonnay Pinot Meunier NV |
42 | Ross Hill Blanc De Blancs 2013 |
43 | Terra Felix Prosecco NV |
44 | Blue Pyrenees Estate Midnight Cuvee 2013 |
45 | Brancott Estate Brut Cuve NV |
45 | De Bortoli DB Sparkling Brut NV |
47 | Deutz Cuvee Blanc De Blancs Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough 2013 |
48 | Clover Hill Cuvee Rose NV |
49 | Jansz Tasmania Premium Cuve NV |
50 | Treasury Wines Estates Wolf Blass White Label Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2009 |
50 | Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs 2011 |
50 | Pike and Joyce NV ‘Methode Cuve’ Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose |
50 | Verdun Park Wines ‘Amelia’ Pinot Noir Chardonnay NV |