All About That Fizz - Whole Bunch Wines Tasting

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All About That Fizz - Whole Bunch Wines Tasting

This one was SPECIAL! We covered multiple continents to show you the variety and similarities in sparkling wines produced via the Champagne method. This goes from the classic Champagne, to similar styles of wine from Australia, Spain, South Africa, England and the USA.

Let's take you through what exactly the 'Champagne Method' is, before we run through the SIX spectacular wines which are attendees go to taste.

Whole Bunch Wines is always hosting THE BEST tastings, so make sure you see what's coming up right here.

What Is The Champagne Method?

The Champagne Method, also referred to as the 'Traditional Method' is a style of sparkling wine making which is synonymous with the Champagne region. With any sparkling wine, a still wine undergoes a secondary fermentation process which traps Carbon Dioxide in the bottle which creates that celebratory effervescence.

With Champagne, and other sparkling wines produced via the same method, a still base wine is added to a bottle before it has completed fermenting. Here, it continues to ferment in the bottle which creates the classic fizz. Next, the bottle is turned upside down and allowed to rest with a sediment of dead yeast cells known as lees. 

This may sound somewhat off-putting but it is a crucial aspect of the process. As the cells break down, in a process known as autolysis, they add texture and body to the final product. However, they also impart unmistakable notes of bread, brioche, toast, biscuits, and nuts (to name a few).

Following this, the top of the liquid is frozen to capture the remaining lees, before the cork is unceremoniously ejected from the bottle in a process known as disgorgement. Finally, the wine is topped up with a final sweeter wine to determine the sugar levels of your finished sparkling wine. The fancy name for this is the 'liqueur d'expédition', or you can also call it the dosage.

Wines produced in Champagne will all go through oak ageing and it is also widely practiced across the world when producing wines of this style.

The end result is a rich, but fresh and acidic creation, that has layers and layers of complexity and a true intensity of flavour. They are some of the most revered wines in the world, and with good reason.

All About That Fizz - Whole Bunch Wines Tasting - The Line Up

We had some real corkers, (pardon the pun). Let's take a look at what featured in this Whole Bunch Wines Tasting.

Fowles Are You Game? NV

This one is truly unique and an exciting creation from Fowles. Fowles are a family-owned winery in Victoria, (Australia), who have developed a reputation as one of the finest cool climate wine producers in the country. Cooler climates are crucial for sparkling wines as it allows them to retain the necessary acidity.

This particular wine is light and fresh with distinctive notes of fresh lime and pink lady apples on the nose and palate, as well as a palpable mineral edge. The wine is primarily composed of Vermentino, but it also blends in Arneis and the classic Champagne grapes of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to further add complexity.

Franck Massard Mas Sardana Cava Brut Nature

Cava is sometimes overlooked as an unexciting and budget friendly option, but it is produced via the Champagne Method. This means that it can still be just as rich and complex as Champagne. This offering uses Macabeo, Parellada and Xarello. They are the three dominant grape varieties in the Penedes region of Catalonia which is most well known for Champagne.

Massard's style has no added sugar, so it is crisp and dry. It also displays strong citrus notes as well as a distinct biscuity character from the lees.

Champagne Sophie Baron Grand Reserve Brut

We had to give you at least one OG Champagne Method wine - namely, Champagne. Sophie Baron Champagne comes from a family run property in Charly-sur-Marne. It is 60% Pinot Meunier, which is quite unique for the region. The Meunier dominant blend gives richness and red berry fruit to this crisp and lively Champagne. The Grand Réserve is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel and undergoes malolactic fermentation to give it roundness.

Ken Forrester Wines Sparklehorse

Here, we have an iconic fizz from the equally iconic Ken Forrester Wines. One of South Africa's premier winemakers. In South Africa, wines made in this method are referred to as 'Method Cap Classique'.

This 100% Chenin Blanc wine is aged for 14 months on lees to impart that real richness and brioche notes, but it also delivers on the fresh and fruity flavours. These include fresh apple, pear and quince.

Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs

Next, we are coming home. England has developed a fierce reputation for fine sparkling wine. The soil composition of southern England is very similar to that of the Champagne region. This is paired with rising temperatures over the past few decades which have pushed our climate closer to that of Northern France. All this points to a perfect place for sparkling wine production.

This multi-awarding winning wine is a Blanc de Noirs which delineates that it is produced from solely red grape varieties. In this example, it is produced from Pinot Noir. The end result is lush and bold, with flavours of ripe raspberry, red apple and blueberry. It enjoys extended lees ageing to develop its complexity and depth.

Racines Grand Reserve NV Sparkling Wine

We rounded out the tasting with the Californian based Racines. They are experts in Chardonnay and this shines through in the exceptional Grand Reserve NV wine. It is deeply aromatic with notes of white flowers, hazelnut and brioche. The palate then shows notes of candied citrus, toasted bread and orchard fruits. It is elegant, smooth and wonderfully complex.

Don't Miss Out!

Make sure to check out our wine tastings and monthly wine club, if you want to try great wines like the ones mentioned in this blog post. Links below:


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