Image credit: iStock/Svetlana-Cherruty
Making great sparkling wine takes time and patience. So much hinges on the quality of fruit in the harvest window, with optimum acidity and flavour development essential.
Autolysis in the bottle requires vision, while capturing core fruit flavours and deciding how much residual sweetness is needed adds further complexity. When all these elements come together, the magic begins.
This month’s Showcase features sparkling wines that highlight the skill and diversity of our winemakers.
No. 1 Reserve Marlborough Méthode Traditionelle NV, NZ
Complex and intriguing, developing and very bright with a bouquet of complexity and development, fresh heirloom grapefruit, yellow peach and white spice, and a deep core of autolysis and baked goods. Enticing. On the palate, a rush of very fine bubbles and coarse-silk mousse textures, with no mistaking the backbone of acidity. A core of complexity follows, with flavours of baked goods and orchard stone fruits, lemon peel and mineral. Saline and fresh, lengthy and delicious. As the wine warms in the glass and opens out, the complexity builds with a gentle floral quality and persistent tree and citrus fruit flavours. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2035.
Points: 97
RRP: $110.00
Distributor: No.1 Family Estate
Phone: (03) 572 9876
www.no1familyestate.co.nz
Quartz Reef Blanc de Blancs 2019, Central Otago
What can I say but congratulations to the whole wine-growing and winemaking team at Quartz Reef HQ. Another example of New Zealand sparkling wine at its best from one of the very few producers in Aotearoa who persistently and consistently deliver quality and deliciousness in every glass. This Méthode Traditionnelle has immediate impact and drive from the autolysis, with fresh nut and fine lees complexity closely followed by scents of baked apple, peach, grapefruit, and fresh oatmeal. Dry, taut, crisp, saline, fruity, and mouthwatering. A fine, small-bubble mousse with a stream of finesse and style. Lengthy and ready to drink from 2026 through to 2033+.
Points: 95
RRP: $85.00
Distributors: Vintners NZ – Phone: (09 621 0210) or Quartz Reef Wines – Phone: (03) 445 3084
www.quartzreef.co.nz
Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV, Marlborough
A delicious wine, dry, textured, and developing. Aged on lees for three years, the bouquet has a distinctive autolytic character of fresh oatmeal and croissant, with scents of citrus and stone fruits. On the palate, it is a dry wine with youthful tautness and a gentle earth-smoke of stone and clay, and flavours of lemon and peach. The mousse is fresh with a satin touch, and the acid line carries a saline finish. Well made with a lengthy finish. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2030.
Points: 94
RRP: $40.00
Distributor: Negociants New Zealand
Phone: 09 531 5222
www.nautilusestate.com
Hunter’s MiruMiru™ Méthode Traditionnelle NV, Marlborough
Classic Hunter’s once again with a bold, full-bodied and complex wine showcasing a fine mousse with fine to moderate bubbles, and flavours of fresh citrus and pomaceous fruits, biscuit, oatmeal and light mineral-honeysuckle qualities. Dry, crisp and delicious, a lovely aperitif and food wine with a backbone of acidity and a fleshy, fruity core. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2029.
Points: 93
RRP: $31.90
Distributor: Hunter’s Wines
Phone: (0800) 486 837
www.hunters.co.nz
Read all of Cameron’s wine reviews here.
Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier. An experienced wine commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant, he is the Beverage Director & Group Sommelier for Rodd & Gunn and is the Patron of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Formerly academically in charge of the Wine & Beverage Programme at AUT in Auckland, Douglas has also consulted to a variety of establishments, taking care of their wine lists, wine and food pairings, and staff training matters, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.
How to catch up with The Shout NZ…
Online, updated daily with its own unique content and breaking news.
Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
We are also on Facebook and Instagram!
Dining and Cooking