If Champagne is the king of sparkling wine, then its queen must be those exceptional bottles that contain the same core ingredients (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with the inclusion of Pinot Meunier, on occasion) that are made the same way but come from different places. Enter Aotearoa New Zealand. It sounds like a good marketing line but there is no doubt that this country's cool climate, openminded willingness to learn from the Champagne region and its European winemakers have all combined to produce exceptional bottle fermented bubblies that can stand on their own merits of quality and style on a global scale. They are made the same way as champagne (small 'c' for the wines from the Champagne region) but they taste of a slightly warmer, more sun drenched climate. As is only natural, given that they come from places as dry and sunny as Bendigo in Central Otago and Blenheim in Marlborough.
Here are this year's top 10 sparkling wines from New Zealand. These are the best of a far broader bunch to have passed my lips and taste test. it's no surprise but there is validity in the promising ring that New Zealand's best sparkling wines can hold a torch to some of their more famous counterparts from France.
Méthode Marlborough raises the bar of quality
The formation of Méthode Marlborough is a strong step to cementing the high quality reputation of sparkling wine made in New Zealand. All member wineries adhere to strict quality controls, including the use only of classic Champagne varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier), 100% grown in the Marlborough region and a minimum 18 months on tirage (lees ageing in bottle prior to disgorgement). Membership to Méthode Marlborough upholds quality, style and strength in sparkling wine production, not only for Marlborough but also for New Zealand as a whole.
"The time invested in Méthode Marlborough is what gives the wines their elegance and complexity. It's not just about making sparkling wine - it's about creating an experience that reflects the dedication behind every bottle," says Andrea Craig, marketing manager at Whitehaven Wine Company.
19/20
No 1 Rosé NV RRP $49.99
Outstanding, dry and complex expression of Pinot Noir pressed lightly into a bone dry tasting rosé champagne that is typically aged for two years on yeast lees, which break down into toasty aromas with vibrant freshness. Each sip seems to evoke the taste of dried strawberries, cranberries and raspberries, all captured in a sparkling wine with a full body.
No 1 Rosé NV is not the highest priced of the No 1 Family Estate's sparkling wines but it is consistently my top pick, scoring higher than all of its local counterparts, with one exception.
no1familyestate.co.nz
19/20
Quartz Reef Rosé Brut NV RRP $49.99
This is exceptional and consistently so. Quartz Reef winemaker Rudi Bauer uses 100% Pinot Noir grapes for this dry and lightly hued pink sparking wine, which brings beautiful red fruit aromas to the table in an absolutely dry, medium bodied, succulent expression of Pinot Noir with bubbles. Absolutely stunning.
quartzreef.co.nz
19/20
2017 Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs RRP $75
This pristine sparkling wine is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes which are certified organic and aged for five years prior to release. In this case, Central Otago winemaker Rudi Bauer and his team hand picked 100% of the grapes and the long ageing time on tirage (in bottle on yeast lees, post ferment) brings aromas of fresh pastry, lively citrus and creamy notes to this dry bubbly, which is modelled on Taittinger Comtes de Champagne in terms of both flavour and the style of the bottle. Like Comtes de Champagne, this blanc de blancs is a keeper and will reveal great depths of honey, rich dry white floral aromas and hazlenut flavours in a decade's time, if cellared well.
quartzreef.co.nz
18.5/20
Hunter's MiruMiru NV RRP $32.99
MiruMiru is te reo Maori for sparkling; an apt and evocative name for one of New Zealand's best sparkling wines. Predominantly made from Chardonnay, Hunter's MiruMiru NV also contains a portion of Pinot Noir and a smidgeon of Pinot Meunier, which all combine in this smooth, dry and super tasty fizz. Toasty complex flavours come from the Pinot Noir, which balances the crispness of the Chardonnay.
hunters.co.nz
18.5/20
Nautilus Brut Cuvee RRP $42.99
Modelled on Bollinger and easy to see in every toasty sip, thanks to the blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. This combination brings depths of dry, rich, lemon fresh flavours to balance the complex savoury notes of Pinot. It is always aged for at least three years in bottle on tirage (yeast lees, post fermentation). This brings layers of depth from dried mushroom and that je ne sais quo forest floor through to redcurrant and dried fruit aromas. A stunning, complex sparkling wine.
Nautilusestate.com
18.5/20
2018 Wither Hills Méthode Traditionelle RRP $54.99
Small volumes of this wine were made to celebrate the big birthday of Wither Hills this year, which marks the 30th birthday of the winery. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were fermented separately then blended to create a creamy, full bodied, dry and toasty wine, which gains fresh aromas of sourdough from being aged on lees in the bottle. Dry, full bodied and creamy, this new bubbly is a great new Marlborough sparkling wine. Available from the cellar door only at Wither Hills winery.
witherhills.co.nz
18.5/20
Villa Maria Méthode Traditionnelle RRP $39.99
Meet Marlborough's newest Méthode Traditionnelle from Villa Maria, which launched this wine in time for release at the start of December. It's 100% Marlborough grapes and is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, all hand picked from vineyards in both the Wairau and Awatere valleys. Crisp, bright citrus fruit flavours come to the fore in this bubbly, which has lovely depth and a full body with fresh bakery aromas and a long, smooth finish. Extremely good new addition.
18.5/20
2020 Whitehaven Samantha Méthode Traditionelle RRP $45
Creamy aromas intermingle with savoury flavours in this sparkling wine, which is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir. These two classic grapes combine to bring bold, vibrant crisp citrus flavours to every sip. It is dry, full bodied and complex.
Whitehaven.co.nz
18.5/20
Saint Clair Dawn Methode Tradtionnelle NV RRP $65
Named after the eponymous Dawn, who was the mother of Saint Clair Family Estate co-founder, Neil Ibbotson, who continues to take the Saint Clair wines to new heights, not least in this wine. Primary fermentation of Chardonnay (63% of the blend) and Pinot Noir (37%) was in seasoned French barriques, to add depth and body to the wine. This comes through in the complex flavour spectrum here, which encapsulates bold citrus purity with creamy aromas and savoury toasty notes. Great now and it will develop over the next two to three years.
Saintclair.co.nz
18.5/20
2017 Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs RRP $39.99
Fresh as a daisy at seven years old thanks to long lees ageing time, post disgorgement, this full bodied, citrusy expression of Chardonnay aged on lees for its second fermentation brings liveliness and complex dry creamy flavours to every lingering sip.
Tohuwines.co.nz
