- Your Hunter Valley Magazine
The Sparkling Dozen - Festive Drops
It is the holiday season and therefore a time to indulge and give the gift of indulgence too. Whether you are bringing a bottle to a party or leaving one under the tree, a bottle of bubbles is a gift that will please even the hardest-to-shop-for curmudgeon. So, no matter what the purpose or what gatherings and celebrations you have coming up, you're sure to find a special bottle here!
GARTELMANN
2020 Hunter Valley Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs – $38
This “white of white” is based on 100% Chardonnay grapes, giving it wonderful elements of that variety. Apple and honey characters on the nose, complexity on the palate and the ability to be delicious when young, or superb with age.
TASTING Pale straw in colour, light and lively on the palate with a freshness akin to crisp green apple. Nectarine, white peach and sherbet flavours abound, adding to the complex yet delicate fine mousse bead. Its potential to age is indicated by a well-balanced acid backbone, giving the wine great length and persistence through to the finish.
FOOD MATCH As a youngster it is a classic aperitif style... to be enjoyed pre-dinner with Sydney rock oysters, fresh prawns and gourmet nibbly bits on pumpernickel or to just look fabulous in a flute glass raised in celebration.
CELLARING Drink now as a young wine or short-term cellaring 3–5 years.
ELBOURNE WINES
White Pegasus Sparkling – $30
The White Pegasus is a perfect Spring or Summers’ day sparkling, made from an early pick of Hunter Valley Chardonnay.
TASTING A light, crisp and fresh palate make this an easy drinking sparkling, with a degree of sophistication coming from the dry and bready finish. Extremely dangerous on a warm afternoon.
FOOD MATCH A perfect accompaniment to prawns and oysters over Christmas!
CELLARING Drink now.
RUNNING HORSE WINES
2015 The Birdcage Sparkling Rosé – $66
The Birdcage is made in the time honoured Methode Champenoise style. A Sparkling Rosé Running Horse loves to parade. After bottle fermentation the lees were left in contact for 5 years before being disgorged. A long and patient preparation which has yielded a classic result.
TASTING An amazing cranberry palate with the complexity of lees contact adding classical yeast characters. With a subtle and dry mineral finish, The Birdcage is perfect for Summer.
FOOD MATCH Delicious with pork belly, your favourite roast duck recipe, or even a fantastic Christmas lunch sparkling wine.
CELLARING 5+ years.
TAMBURLAINE WINES
Wine Lovers Scarlett Bubbles – $24
Christmas Offer – $14/bottle for 1 case, $13/bottle for 2 cases, $12/bottle for 3 cases or more.
Celebrate with Tamburlaine's Wine Lovers wines this festive season. Just like its namesake; this wine is one of a kind, a little wild and great fun. Good for any vibrant social occasion.
TASTING A sweeter style aromatic Rosé with fizz. Fresh strawberry, raspberry and a fine bead.
FOOD MATCH This sweeter style aromatic Rosé is perfect for any
social occasion.
CELLARING Drink now. Keep away from strong light, at a cool, constant temperature <15°.
MISTLETOE WINES
2020 Petillant Rosé – $24
The latest release of our ever popular Bubbly Rosé. Same popular style as the previous 12 vintages. A great aperitif style, perfect for Christmas celebrations, or any other time you may feel like it.
TASTING Sweet strawberry characters on the front of the palate are balanced by a long dry finish.
FOOD MATCH Great served ice cold and a perfect accompaniment to spicy Asian cuisine.
CELLARING Drink now to 2023.
KRINKLEWOOD ESTATE
2018 Blanc de Blanc – $40
This elegant sparkling Chardonnay was made in the classic Méthod Traditionnelle and underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle with a minimum of 24 months of lees contact.
TASTING This wine displays beautiful aromatic complexity of green apple, ripe grapefruit and citrus blossom. The palate shows a subtle combination
of structure, length and vivacity with the taste of pear, brioche and a
lovely crisp finish.
FOOD MATCH Fresh seafood, white meat and cheese.
CELLARING Up to 5 years.
HUNGERFORD HILL
2017 Tumbarumba Sparkling Dalliance – $45
Hungerford Hill is a boutique estate located in the heart of the Hunter Valley making distinguished and award-winning wines from the Hunter Valley, Tumbarumba and Hilltops.
TASTING Bottle fermented using the traditional method and recently disgorged after careful ageing, this sparkling wine displays a complex and lively palate with creamy and honeydew melon flavours, followed by a crisp finish.
FOOD MATCH Pairs beautifully with light and fresh seafood dishes – from oyster shooters to fresh BBQ prawns and lobster brioche rolls.
CELLARING Ready to be enjoyed now.
THREE PONDS
2019 Three Ponds Neptune (Avail. from The Garden Cellars) – $30
A classic Hunter blend of its two most esteemed white grapes, Semillon and Chardonnay. Three Ponds wines are made to showcase Hunter Valley fruit and winemaking at its best. Owned by the Iannuzzi and Tsironis families, Three
Ponds combines European and modern Australian traditions of winemaking and viticulture.
TASTING Lemon zest and granny smith apples notes. It is medium bodied with a delightful fresh crisp finish.
FOOD MATCH The perfect accompaniment to fine seafood and oysters.
CELLARING Drink now.
KELMAN VINEYARD
2015 Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs – $36
Made in the Methode Traditionnelle style, this late disgorged 100% Chardonnay has spent close to 5 years on lees to produce an extremely complex wine of distinction. This is the second disgorgement of this fabulous dry sparkling wine.
TASTING Still evident, the citrus fruits from the early season picked Chardonnay fill the palate. Time has added additional flavours of grilled nuts and toasty characteristics, enhancing the complex flavours. A fine bead and creamy and textured palate add drive and length on this special wine.
FOOD MATCH Oysters and caviar, of course! But try with scallops or prawns, crab and lobster. A palate-waking wine as an aperitif or a sound choice with most modern cuisine. Enjoy at all special occasions. This is a celebratory wine!
CELLARING Keeps for at least 5 years in a cool cellar or wine fridge.
PETERSON HOUSE
2014 Pinot Noir Chardonnay Meunier – $48
This wine is made from the traditional sparkling wine varieties of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
TASTING Most of the berry notes are developed and subtle as are the citrus tones. As it finishes however the citrus characters, of preserved lemons and cumquats, give a lovely fresh note to end on. The acid on the finish cleans the palate and gives a refreshing zing.
FOOD MATCH Light to medium intensity seafood and white meat dishes. Perfect to accompany smoked salmon or paté.
CELLARING These sparkling wines are made to be served cold – less than 4C. Store for 24 hours in a domestic fridge prior to opening or leave in wet ice for 2–3 hours.
IRON GATE ESTATE
Blanc de Blancs – $32
A 100% Chardonnay-based sparkling wine harvested early from the Iron Gate vineyard. An elegant wine with a fine acid spine, it has aromas of grapefruit, passionfruit and citrus bud as well as floral undertones.
TASTING The palate is lively with citrus flavours and a mouth-coating texture from 8 months yeast lees contact. The finish is dry and long which cleanses and leaves the palate unsated.
FOOD MATCH Delicious on its own or will complement cold meats, tapas, seafood and poultry dishes.
CELLARING 3–5 years.
MISTLETOE WINES
2016 Blanc de Blancs – $30
This bottle fermented Methode Traditionelle style Chardonnay is sourced from the Hilltops region of NSW. Whole bunch pressed grapes were fermented in small French oak barrels and aged on lees for 6 months prior to tirage.
TASTING This wine is a zero dosage sparkling wine eg. it is bone dry. Fresh crisp clean citrus flavours with light notes of straw and toast.
FOOD MATCH As a perfect aperitif style this is ideal to serve with canapes, however, it is also a brilliant accompaniment to sushi and sashimi.
CELLARING Drink now to 2030.
