Sparkling red wine is quite uncommon in most parts of the world, with only a few regions known for producing it. One of the most common sparkling reds is probably Lambrusco, which originated in Northern Tuscany. Another area producing sparkling reds is Australia with their Shiraz, its history dating back to the 1880s.
This Andrew Garrett Sparkling Shiraz was made using the Charmat method, where the second fermentation takes place in a pressurised tank. Below is a diagram taken from their website which shows the process.
Price:
We purchased this wine in New World for NZ$21 ( £9.89, R227.76, US$13.10). However, upon looking, it is available online at Whiskey and More for NZ 17.99 ( £8.50, R195.06, US$11.22).
Appearance:
This wine has a beautiful medium ruby hue. And as it was a sparkling shiraz, there were little bubbles throughout.
Nose:
There is a medium intensity to this wine; the aromas are present immediately but not overwhelming or in your face. The main aroma characteristic of this wine is quite dark and fruity, with notes of plum, cherry, and blackcurrant. It was driven by primary aromas, and there wasn’t much complexity to it initially.
Palate:
The flavour characters are quite similar to those found on the nose, still retaining the plum, cherry, and currant. Though on the palate, there are also notes of spices, black pepper and dark chocolate helping to round out the profile.
The first thing you notice when trying this Shiraz is that it is a sweet wine, this is quite common in sparkling reds as it helps to balance out the tannins and astringency. The acidity is also quite high, which ensures the product isn’t too flabby. Medium to full-bodied with a medium intensity and medium finish.
Conclusion:
We can’t say we have any real insider knowledge about the place sparkling Shiraz has in Australian culture, but after some brief research, it seems to be a common feature enjoyed at barbeques and Christmas.
Due to the somewhat strange combination of flavours, sweetness, and bubbles found in this wine, it can be difficult to imagine what a good taste pairing would be. It also stands alone pretty well. When served slightly chilled it can be a great accompaniment to gamey dishes, or even Christmas pudding (apparently). Saskia enjoyed her glass with a meat pizza and it went well with that, so the sky’s the limit really.
Overall, this is a fun wine that was an interesting find. While sparkling reds may not be everyone’s first choice, they have a time and place, so go out and try some!
Here are all our personal tasting notes for reference:
Thank you for reading another of our posts! Hope to see you next time😁
Remember to download our tasting sheets HERE!!
JOIN THE FAMILY !!
Subscribe to our newsletter down below to receive our Newsletter and be informed every time we release a new post so you never miss out on all things wine! 🍷