Sparkling wine is experiencing somewhat of a heyday in Australia and New Zealand, and there's no better time to dive deep and explore the country's sparkling wines.
There are a myriad of regions producing exceptional sparkling wine, including Marlborough, Central Otago, Wairarapa and Gisborne in New Zealand, and Tasmania, the Grampians, Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and King Valley in Australia. There's also no shortage of diversity when it comes to grape varieties used, with chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier the most common.
And while sparkling is perfect for any party or celebration, you certainly don't need a special occasion to enjoy it. Discover what goes into some of Australia and New Zealand's most successful examples below, with wines from House of Arras, Printhie Wines and Zephyr.
Priced between $75 and $136 and all scoring 93 points or above, each of these sparkling wines are ripe for drinking now, or putting away for a later date.
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australian and new zealand sparkling wines
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House of Arras
Blanc de Blancs 2017
Sparkling | TasmaniaA spectacular Blanc de Blancs. It is a wonderfully elegant, complex wine with an enduring base of grapefruit, lemon and apple accented with nuances of sea spray, crushed stone, ozone, white peach, grilled nuts and apple pastries. It boasts the finest aromatics of the new releases and the time on lees has built a layered palate of brioche, lemon curd, crème fraîche and proving sourdough. The detail and tension on the palate is spot on, with an elegance of structure. The wine slowly fades with soft spice, grapefruit and apple sorbet, the flavours stretching on for a good time indeed. -
Printhie Wines
Swift Blanc de Noirs 2021
Sparkling | Orange53/47% pinot meunier/pinot noir, disgorged in October 2024 and a total of 36 months on lees with a low dosage of 3.5 g/L. The first time this wine has been dominated by pinot meunier. Rainier cherries, honeysuckle and grey pumice stone. A curl of lemon skin and paperbark, candied almonds and chalk dust. A middle-palate weight with some sandy grip and cold peach tea bitters. Acidity refreshes the palate with those lemon candies and chrysanthemum coming through on the finish. A well-balanced wine that doesn't lack for anything, at times a hard task to accomplish in these blends. -
Zephyr
Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay 2019
Sparkling | MarlboroughA celebration of chardonnay fizz. This is lifted with pomelo and frangipani blooms, some Appletini and chamomile blossoms. Its crumbly biscuit edge moves into lemon tea and white nectarine flesh. A fine, bubbly, persistent bead. This is looking very youthful; a stunning drink on its own but would help carry the party till the wee hours.
Top image credit: Printhie Wines
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