As the nation joyfully careens between Grand Finals and Spring Carnivals in the jolly old race up to Christmas, there are a gazillion excellent reasons to pop a cork - and so many popworthy fizzes to explore. So, let’s start with Champagne. (Honestly, is there a more perfect sentence in the world than that?)
Hard to believe, but the bubbles that we love so much today used to be regarded as a fault - when unintended secondary ferments would produce a build-up of carbon dioxide, causing corks to pop and bottles to explode. More than one poor cellar-hand fell victim to a chain reaction of exploding bottles of le vin du diable (the devil’s drink).
Today, Champagne is one of the world’s most loved and prized wine styles – and one of its most fiercely protected. So to be clear: if it isn’t from the Champagne region, and produced under the strict Champagne appellation rules, what you’ve got there, Sonny Jim, is just a delicious glass of sparkling wine.
Italy came to the fizzy party quite a bit later than France, but made up for it with enthusiasm and versatility. Prosecco, produced from a variety called Glera, is somewhat drier than other Italian sparklings (such as Asti Moscato and the fruity red, Lambrusco), and with its summery palate of almond and melon, has become the fizz of choice for many Aussies.
Spain’s contribution to the party is Cava – a dry aperitif style that tastes surprisingly like NV Champagne. Although Cava is produced using the méthode traditionnelle, advanced mechanisation allows it to be produced a fraction of the cost. What’s not to love?
At home in Australia, we tend to run our own race. We’re not bound by appellation laws that dictate variety, style or methods of production. And we are blessed with incredibly diverse climates and terroirs, so we can pretty much make anything. Like elegant, tightly focussed Chardonnay Pinot Noir from cool-climate Tassie; softly fruited Sparklers blended from warm Aussie heartland fruit; and cheeky little Prosecco spritzers – sold in the can so they won’t weigh your picnic basket down.
And what about our famous Sparkling Shiraz? No - that’s an issue all on its own!
We haven’t even mentioned Portuguese Espumante; German Sekt; or the sparkling wines of Chile, South Africa, the USA and – yes – England! So much fizz, so little time.
Resistance is Futile: Moderation, Essential