In Aotearoa, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to producers of sparkling wine, and often on price too.
The most traditional method is the Champagne Method – called Méthode Champenoise – a French term applying only to bottle-fermented sparkling wine from the Champagne region in France.
Despite the surge in Champagne pricing, there are some excellent wines at surprisingly good prices.
Similar sparkling wine is made throughout France and around the world, often using the same process, but it cannot be called Champagne.
In New Zealand, there are many excellent producers of Méthode Traditionnelle, which is made in the same way as Champagne.
The bottom line is this: be sure you have great friends close by to share the wine and just celebrate.
Cameron Douglas MS explores some of the options in this month’s tasting guide, here are some of his top picks…
No.1 Reine Cuvée Reserve Méthode Traditionelle NV, Marlborough
This is a fantastic wine beginning with plush pale golden hues and lemon highlights, leading to a bouquet of white-fleshed orchard fruits and citrus, swathed in a fresh butter brioche autolysis from extended fine lees complexities. Apple blossoms, nut, and honey highlights complete the bouquet. A complex wine touches the palate with a softly textured voluminous mousse and superfine bubble. Nicely weighted with a rounded satin-cream texture, core flavours of oatmeal, citrus, white-fleshed orchard fruits with layers of autolysis and acidity. A delicious wine with a dry, lengthy finish offering perfect drinking today and through the next eight to 12 years.
Points: 97
RRP: $63.00
Distributor: No. 1 Family Estate
Phone: (03) 572 9876
www.no1familyestate.co.nz
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur NV, Ay, France
Complex, fresh, layered, and classic, with a fascinating bouquet of sweet citrus, deeply centred autolysis, white strawberry, and white-fleshed stone fruits. A delicious wine on the palate with a fine mousse texture, a hint of white spice, and white stone fruits. The acid line is perfect, carrying the flavours and highlighting the complexities of autolysis. Delicious and lengthy, best enjoyed from the day of purchase through to 2032. Outstanding value!
Points: 96
RRP: $89.00
Distributor: Negociants New Zealand
Phone: (09) 531 5222
www.negociants.com/nz/home
Clos Henri ‘Solange’ 2022 Methode Traditionelle, Marlborough
Fabulous bouquet with enticing scents of fruit, flowers, and autolysis. White peach, apple, brioche, and croissant, a soft and gentle fruit-spice quality, and a harmonious, youthful opening to the bouquet. Delicious on the palate—as I knew it would be—with fruit flavours that reflect the nose, plus a spiced pear-skin note, then a deep-seated leesy quality and autolysis reflecting primary development, with plenty yet to be revealed. The mousse is bold and fine, saline and crisp, the acidity carries flavour, enlivens the palate, and adds to the finish. A lovely wine that will continue to develop and reward from the day of purchase through 2030+.
Points: 95
RRP: $55.00
Distributor: Maison Vauron
Phone: (09) 529 0157
www.closhenri.com
Alpha Domus ‘Cumulus’ Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle NV, Hawke’s Bay
An enticing bouquet with intensity and familiarity, a core of autolysis and bottle development, scents of white strawberry and apple, some citrus, and complexity. Dry with a satin, creamy mousse texture; the acidity adds intensity and highlights the apple and citrus flavours. The autolysis adds complexity, persistence, and deliciousness. A lovely wine with both flavour and freshness, best enjoyed from the day of purchase through to 2030.
Points: 94
RRP: $34.0
Distributor: CoLab Wine Merchants
Phone: (06) 879 6752
www.alphadomus.co.nz
To read all of Cameron’s wine reviews, click here!
Cameron Douglas is New Zealand’s first and only Master Sommelier. An experienced wine commentator, judge, reviewer, presenter and consultant, he is the Beverage Director & Group Sommelier for Rodd & Gunn and is the Patron of the New Zealand Sommeliers and Wine Professionals Association. Formerly academically in charge of the Wine & Beverage Programme at AUT in Auckland, Douglas has also consulted to a variety of establishments, taking care of their wine lists, wine and food pairings, and staff training matters, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Court of Master Sommeliers Americas.
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