Kreglinger 2019 Vintage Brut

Looking for a serious, food-friendly sparkling wine? This is a classic blend of pinot noir and chardonnay from the same people that make the Pipers Brook table wines. It offers complexity and richness on the palate while retaining cool-climate freshness and vibrancy. Made from grapes grown in a single vineyard in Pipers River - in the far north of tTasmania - this is an excellent dinner party choice with berry/apple orchard aromas leading to a delightfully balanced palate that is simultaneously yeasty, toasty, citrusy and savoury with an impressive mousse. Cold fermentation in barrel, malo and battonage have added to a kaleidoscope of flavours and textures. This was aged for five years+ in bottle before release. $65. https://www.kreglingerwineestates.com/

Pirie Sparkling Vintage 2021

Named in recognition of Andrew Pirie, a pioneer of cool-climate viticulture in Tasmania, this is an outstanding example of the quality sparkling wines for which the island state has become recognised. Pirie now operates his own small bijou wine business, Apogee, but I suspect he would be very happy with the quality of this recent release: It is fresh, bright and elegant with precision and purity. Citrus and sea spray aromas lead on to a crisp palate that is fruit-forward with toasty/nutty characters in a support role. The finish is full of citrus peel vivacity. Pair with oysters or simple grilled fish dishes. The website shows this as being sold out, but there should still some in retail land.  $55. https://brownfamilywines.com.au/collections/brands-pirie

Jansz 2021 Vintage Cuvée

 

Looking for a treat for Mother's Day? Jansz has always been one of the "go to" labels for quality cool-climate Tasmanian sparkling wine at fair prices. This is a standout example - and a very good choice for just about any celebration. A classic blend of hand-picked chardonnay and pinot noir, it offers a melange of freshness and maturity - with lively citrus on the nose and hints of toasty brioche on the palate. Barrel fermentation and three years of lees ageing has added palate complexity. This would pair with a brunch by the pool, or a whole fish on the barbecue, or just for sipping on the back deck with canapes. Available at Dan Murphy's, BWS, and independent retailers. $56. https://www.jansz.com.au/

Henskens Rankin 2019 Brut Rosé

 

Frieda Henskens and David Rankin craft tiny batches of outstanding sparkling wines in a former apple shed in the Huon Valley, They source small amounts of fruit from some of the best vineyards in Tasmania and only release their wines when they have reached their peak. Only 900 bottles of this sublime brut rosé were made from a multi-regional blend of 69% chardonnay and 31% pinot noir, so speed might be of the essence if you are tempted. This stylish and sophisticated wine would certainly be an impressive choice for toasting the new year. Berry and tropical fruit flavours canoodle with toasty/brioche notes on a palate that finishes with fresh saline acidity. Very impressive. $105. https://henskensrankin.com/  

Mumm Terroirs NV Tasmanian Brut Prestige

 

Leading sparkling winemaker Trina Smith has just released a range of southern hemisphere sparkling wines for Champagne House GH Mumm, a company with almost two centuries of experience. There are three New Zealand releases and this excellent Tasmanian iteration that my tasting group felt offered outstanding value for money. It is certainly very pleasing to find a sub-$40 Tasmanian bubbly. This pinot-led release has plenty of length and depth of flavour, but is also impressively vibrant and light on its feet. Excellent as an aperitif, but also very food friendly, it has freshness and acid vitality and would be a very good Aussie choice over the holidays. $38.

Henskens Rankin 2015 D2 Brut Rosé

There are artisan wine producers; and seriously artisan winemakers. Frieda Henskens and David Rankin may be small - but their sparkling wines are very much in demand by aficionados. Only 500 bottles of the second disgorgement of this wine were made; released after spending five years on lees and then five years on cork. The fruit all comes from the fabled Orani vineyard outside Sorell and is made from 100% pinot noir. The pale salmon colour and delicate mousse disguise a palate alive with wild strawberry, freeze-dried raspberry, cranberry and hints of rhubarb along with brioche notes and zingy acid. So many flavours in one coherent package. My wife, very particular about sparkling wines, tasted it blind and said: "Gee, that's a nice wine". $105. https://henskensrankin.com/

Westella Vineyard 2021 Sparkling Rosé

 

Westella is a small operation at the northern end of the Tamar Valley where the Adkins family concentrates exclusively on one grape: pinot noir, albeit made in a range of styles. This sample was supplied by Wine Tasmania and pronounced a hit by my tasting group. Pale salmon in colour it is a lively little number with wild strawberry and poached pear characters on the palate, a playful mousse and fresh, lively acidity. This spent 2 1/2 years on lees before emerging with coqeuettish appeal. A fun and versatile aperitif style. $46. https://westellavineyard.com.au/