Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Flirt Brut NV

August 25, 2022By Yvonne

Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Flirt Brut NV $40 Crafted in a blanc de blanc style by winemaker Dermot Haworth, this is an extremely refined, elegant, cleansing and crammed with class. Creamy almond and rising dough notes combine with crisp lemon and green apple goodness, while the bubbles are pinprick-fine and create tiny, delicate beading as … Read More

Linden Estate NV Port

April 29, 2020By Yvonne

Made from mostly pinot noir blended with a little merlot that’s aged for 10 years in old French oak, is the Linden Estate NV Port ($27)  Fruit is hand-harvested at the absolute highest ripeness level achievable for the given year and where possible, botrytised grapes are added to enhance the apricot notes in this sensationally … Read More

Veuve Laperrière Blanc de Blancs Brut NV

October 4, 2018By Yvonne

Veuve Laperrière Blanc de Blancs Brut NV $18 If you’re looking for a rich, creamy, cashewy, peachy bubbles with a hint of sweetness and a complete lack of wallet-impact then you’ve come to the right cul de sac.  Made entirely from chardonnay (that’s where the peachiness comes from), it’s a grin-inducing, biscuity little sip that … Read More

Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir

April 26, 2017By Yvonne

Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir $35 Made from organic vineyards owned by the Hutchison family, this blend of 60% Marlborough chardonnay and 40% Central Otago pinot noir is a rich, nutty, citrus-edged sparkling that has beautiful, biscuity complexity on the finish.  Fine and elegantly structured, it’s a magic méthode that tastes as it … Read More

Ruby Bay Jewel Methode Traditionelle NV $38 (5 stars)

April 5, 2017By Yvonne

Where has this fizz been all my life?  With ultra-fine beading and plucky, persistent mousse in the glass, it just looks like money.  Thankfully it more than measures up in the mouth.  Subtle and beautifully structured, it oozes almond and brioche aromas, raspberry shortbread and shows a creamy, full-bodied yeasty, biscuity backbone.  Vibrant, rich and … Read More

Mansfield & Marsh Methode Traditionnelle Sparkling Wine NV

January 19, 2016By Yvonne

Mansfield & Marsh Methode Traditionnelle Sparkling Wine NV $14.95 ★★★★ This is my new favourite bargain bubbly.  It’s lifted and lemony on the nose, awash with creamy, nutty notes and has some delicious bready, biscuity complexity on the finish.  There’s even a smidge of apple and oatcake happening too.  Superb value here, and if the label … Read More

Codorniu Cuvée Barcelona 1872 NV

January 5, 2016By Yvonne

Codorniu Cuvée Barcelona 1872 NV $31 ★★★½ Soft, chalky, seashell-like aromas merge with lemon and white peach to make this a lovely example of Spanish cava which is super-delicate in the mouth.  Made from macabeu, xarello and parellada grapes and weighing in at a demure 11.5% alc, it’s a lipsmackingly light and crisp sip that’s … Read More

The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV

November 24, 2015By Yvonne

The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz NV $29 ★★★★ Despite being recent converts to the sparkling shiraz, Kiwis are loving it; one sip of this tongue-pumpingly sweet sparkler and you’ll see why. Dark black-currant and cherry flavours merge with a blast of mocha, bitter chocolate and baking spices on the palate, plus there’s a lick of zingy … Read More

J. De Villaret Cremant de Loire Rose NV

October 20, 2015By Yvonne

J. De Villaret Cremant de Loire Rose NV $19.99 ★★★★ The Loire Valley is France’s largest producer of sparkling wine outside of the Champagne region.  Most Cremant de Loire is produced around the city of Saumur and are blends of chardonnay, chenin blanc and cabernet franc. This super-affordable example has a very pretty salmon and … Read More

Codorniu Cuvee Barcelona 1872 Rosé NV

October 20, 2015By Yvonne

Codorniu Cuvee Barcelona 1872 Rosé NV $31.00 ★★★★ This is the first time I’ve tried Spanish Cava made in a rosé style and I really like it.  While white cava is traditionally made using Macabeu, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes, this is made from a selection of different red grapes and is fermented in oak casks.  … Read More