Champagne & Sparkling - The Festive Season
Whilst Champagne and Sparkling should not be reserved for this time of year, celebrating the return of socialising is the best excuse for delving into some bubbles.
On the Australian front, you'd be remiss to overlook the stunning sparkling of Stefano Lubiana. Immense value and flavour, these wines consistently impress us.
In terms of Champagne, the larger houses have upped their game with the rise of the grower-producer. Here are some of our favourites alongside the ultimate Blancs de Blanc - Larmandier Bernier's Longitude.
Stefano Lubiana Reserve Brut NV
Made with 65% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir, all estate grown.
If Australian NV sparkling is on your radar – and why wouldn’t it be – then look no further. It’s a crisp, racy, fresh-faced style in general and yet it has complexity and breadth. Love the freshness, love the flavour. Red and green apples, citrus, bread and roses. Satisfying and refreshing. Grown right, made right, tastes right, priced right. Drink 2019 – 2022. 93 Points. Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front (March, 2019).
Louis Roederer Collection 243 NV
Based on the 2018 vintage and complemented by reserve wines from a solera established in 2012, as well as younger foudre-aged reserve wines, Roederer's newly released NV Brut Collection 243 is a pillowy, enveloping Champagne evocative of crisp stone fruits, honeycomb, white flowers and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, with an ample core of fruit, bright acids and a saline finish, it will offer demonstrative drinking on release. Drink 2021-2035. 92 Points. William Kelley, The Wine Advocate.
