With the Festive Season upon us, celebration is in the air. At this stage to fulfill the Christmas tradition and celebrate the introduction of a New Year. Of course, wine is an excellent choice.
With Sparkling Wine or Champagne being well represented in the winner’s circle.
My first celebration of the year (as captured in the accompanying photo) involved a bottle of Chain of Ponds NV Novello Brut Cuvee. To be honest with you, this bottle of Bubbles, has a screw cap! And as I went to pour a glass, I forgot we had put the screw cap back on, until Debbie my wine tasting companion, the person taking the photo, reminded me.
Yes, Bubbles can usually create a laugh!
This very well priced sparkling wine exhibits delightfully lifted aromatics. It has a delicate nose of citrus, freshly baked bread and peach entwined with white florals. The palate is full of flavour with a crisp clean finish.
Whilst in South Australia, I base myself, at my friend, Andrew’s place in the picturesque village of Mylor, The Adelaide Hills.
His property is within walking distance of the Sidewood Winery. Their Sidewood Estate Methode Traditionelle Chloe Cuvee is a wine of extraordinary complexity and grace is named after the owners’ and vignerons’ daughter, Chloe.
Only the best parcels of fruit, were carefully selected from the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills. This delicately crafted ‘Methode Traditionelle’ Cuvee has gone through secondary fermentation in the bottle, it was hand riddled and disgorged after a minimum of four and a half years on yeast lees.
Its bouquet offers evocative cherry and mandarin blossom, biscotti, and green apple whilst the palate has a harmonious balance of the delights offered on the nose.
The very upmarket packaging adds tremendously to making this the perfect Christmas gift for the receiver to welcome in the New Year.
For a safe and secure bet in the under $100 choice of Champagnes. The Champagne Pommery Brut Royal NV takes some beating.
Produced with equal amounts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, encompassing 40 crus. This toasty, vibrant non-vintage Champagne, is lip-smacking with bright apple, raspberry, dried strawberry, soft orange flavours delivered on a persistent and playful mousse.
This is my final WineBill, in this format. Next year I return promoting the Wine Education classes I’m currently constructing with the assistance of a specialist wine supplier.
Until then – Merry Christmas and a Happy, Safe and Successful 2023 to all.
