- Your Hunter Valley Magazine
The Sparkling Dozen | FESTIVE DROPS
We've collated the Sparkling Dozen... the 12 best sparkling wines to drink this season!
Kelman Vineyard
Blanc de Blanc 2017
Made in the traditional method this 100% Chardonnay has spent 4 years on lees. A fine bead and a creamy textured palate add drive and length on this special wine. A wine to be enjoyed on all not just special occasions.
TASTING It is marked by grilled nut and toasty characteristics enhanced by citrus tones from early picked Chardonnay
FOOD MATCH A perfect accompaniment to seafood and cheeses or as an apertif
CELLARING 5–10 years
PRICE $36.00 each
Hanging Tree Wines
Sparkling Moscato
Delicately perfumed with red toffee apple, pink fairy floss and plump, ripe red strawberries. The palate displays an array of floral and fruit complexities. An alluring and well-constructed refreshing wine. Light and elegant to enjoy on any occasions.
TASTING The palate displays an array of floral and fruit complexities, with flavours of fruit tingle lollies and musk.
FOOD MATCH Enjoy this wine with a cheese platter or at a Champagne brunch with bacon on the menu.
CELLARING Up to 5 years.
PRICE $30.00 each
Gartelmann Wines
2021 Bianka’s Sparkling Shiraz
Gartelmann’s contribution to an iconic Australian wine style. Classic Hunter Valley Shiraz is given an extra dimension through secondary fermentation. Vibrant, regal and crimson red hues with a fine delicate bubble.
TASTING The nose evokes red cherry, accentuated by underlying cassis notes. The palate shows rich ripe fruit flavours of mulberry and blackberry.
FOOD MATCH Christmas fare such as glazed ham and roast duck or even chilli mud crab.
CELLARING Drink now or short-term cellaring 3–5 years.
PRICE $35.00 each
Ernest Hill Wines
2021 Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Blancs is known to the French as “white of whites.” This spectacular sparkling is made from Chardonnay grapes & has a little Hunter twist, with a splash of Semillon added for extra freshness & complexity. A must for any special occasion!
TASTING Vibrant citrus and peach flavours combine with a light bubble to produce a refreshingly palate tingling taste.
FOOD MATCH Great with seafood, salads, canapes, lighter flavoured foods. For a particularly tasty match try lobster with a butter and lemon sauce.
CELLARING Enjoy now when young and fresh. Cellar for 2-3 years for more complex flavours.
PRICE $30.00 each
Tamburlaine Organic Wines
Wine Lovers No Added Sulphur Blanc de Blanc Sparkling
Our Contemporary Organic philosophy aims to produce wines of terroir while limiting environmental pollution and leaving the land in the best condition possible for the generations to follow. Our winemaking utilises plant-based fining agents while also keeping sulphur additions to a minimum.
TASTING This cool climate, high altitude wine has aromas of fresh green apples, tropical fruit and a hint of vanilla. A refreshing, lively wine with a persistent fine bead.
FOOD MATCH The perfect companion for celebrating in style.
CELLARING Keep cool and enjoy young.
PRICE $24.00 each, $16.00 in a dozen and $14.00 in two dozen +
McCaffrey's Estate
McCaffrey’s Estate NV Méthode Traditionelle
McCaffrey’s Estate is a family owned and operated boutique Hunter Valley vineyard, specialising in estate grown single vineyard wines.
TASTING McCaffrey’s Estate sparkling wine is made in the traditional method of secondary fermentation in bottle. The wine produced offers a lovely bouquet with melon and brioche flavours, delivering a smooth and dry sparkling
wine.
FOOD MATCH Breakfast, lunch and dinner
CELLARING Drink now
PRICE $35.00 each
Peterson House
2017 Chardonnay Pinot Noir
This bottle fermented Methode Traditionelle style sparkling wine is a wonderful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a yellow straw tinge and developed toasty yeast characters on the aroma.
TASTING The palate is developed and creamy. The initial influence is of the yeast and Pinot Noir. Berry notes meld with the baked characters in the mid palate and the finish is all about the citrus notes of the Chardonnay. The developed toasty
bready flavours fill the mouth, whilst a touch of grapefruit and crisp pears come through on the finish to give an acid zip. The final acid note cleanses the palate for the next sip.
FOOD MATCH Great for pre-dinner drinks or enjoy with light to medium intensity seafood and white meat dishes.
CELLARING Ready to drink now – serve chilled.
PRICE $31.00 each
Gartelmann Wines
2021 Brittany’s Blanc de Blancs
This “white of whites” is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, grown in the Hunter Valley. Complex on the palate with a luscious fine mousse bead and the ability to be delicious when young, or superb with age.
TASTING Pale straw in colour and the freshness of ripe green apple. Nectarine, white peach and sherbet flavours abound. Complex and persistence in the mouth with a fine acid backbone.
FOOD MATCH Sydney rock oysters, fresh prawns and duck liver parfait with cornichons.
CELLARING Drink now or short-term cellaring 3–5 years.
PRICE $38.00 each
Three Ponds
Neptune Sparkling Semillon Chardonnay 2019
A classic Hunter blend of its two most esteemed white grapes, Semillon & Chardonnay. This sparkling wine is medium bodied with a delightful fresh clean finish.
TASTING Neptune displays lemon zest and granny smith apple notes.
FOOD MATCH Seafood.
CELLARING Drink Now to 2030.
PRICE $30 each
*Available at The Garden Cellars - Hunter Valley Gardens Shopping Village
Tintilla Estate Wines
Rosalind Blush Sangiovese
The Tintilla Rosalind Blush base wine is made from the juice of the Sangiovese grape, which is pressed and run straight into the fermentation tank with minimum skin contact- hence the “Blush”. The must is cold settled and fermented to dryness. The wine is then controlled carbonated to produce the fine bubbles for this sparkling wine style.
TASTING The wine has a bright translucent blush appearance with fine bubbles that persist. It has a crisp attractive nose with fresh watermelon and strawberry, excellent structure with good mouth feel, crisp fruit on the palate with a slightly savory, long lasting finish and a hint of sweetness at the end which offers refreshment and excitement. It is rather moreish!
FOOD MATCH This is a great party wine well suited to any celebration or festive occasion. The wine is an ideal accompaniment to prawns, fish and a range of summer salads.
CELLARING Serve chilled and drink now.
PRICE $30.00 each
Hungerford Hill
Tumbarumba Sparkling Dalliance 2017
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 with careful aging, 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.
PRICE $45 each, $540 a dozen
Talits Estate
2013 Blanc De Blancs
Blanc de Blancs is the French term for ‘white from whites’ and refers to the classic Champagne style of sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay. The Chardonnay used in this wine is sourced from 40yr old vines. The wine underwent
secondary fermentation in the bottle & was aged on lees for 7 years before riddling & disgorge.
TASTING This Blanc de Blancs is fresh and lively with the palate displaying citrus, green apple and grapefruit characters with some yeasty overtones. It has a creamy mousse, a fine elegant bead and a crisp long finish.
FOOD MATCH It's Christmas time - it's time to celebrate! Enjoy this Blanc De Blancs with freshly shucked oysters, caviar blinis and fresh crab.
CELLARING Already aged 8 years! This sparkling wine is drinking perfectly right now...no need to wait!
PRICE $40.00 each
