Seppelt Great Western
Not sure what to bring to Christmas Day lunch? Well nothing says festive quite like Sparkling Shiraz. Since the 1890’s, Seppelt’s has enjoyed a distinguished history of producing Sparkling Shiraz and is a global pioneer of the uniquely Australian wine style. French winemaker Charles Pierlot who was well known for making sparkling wine, was invited to work with the owner at the time, Hans Ivirne. When he arrived at Great Western, he only had Shiraz grapes to work with, so using his ingenuity, he experimented and invented Australia’s first ‘Sparkling Burgundy’ wines as they were known in 1892. In 1895, Hans Irvine & Co of Great Western was awarded a gold medal at the Bordeaux exhibition for its ‘Sparkling Burgundy’.125+ years later, the legacy continues and today Seppelt enjoys a reputation for producing the world’s finest expressions.
Sourced from selected vineyards throughout Victoria, the Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz is a superbly balanced wine with vibrant, spicy shiraz fruit and a fine creamy mousse. Aromas of mulberry and blue fruits with exotic spices and a lifted floral nose.This festive wine has become a Christmas tradition for many Australians and it’s easy to see why, with it’s deep red colour and is best served chilled which makes it the perfect wine to enjoy on a hot Christmas day. It makes a great accompaniment for both savoury and sweet dishes so it’s perfect for both turkey and Christmas pudding.
One of the other Seppelt Sparkling Shiraz varieties on offer was inspired by the Australian icon, Dame Nellie melba. The Great Entertainer Sparkling Shiraz reflects the famous singer’s pure effervescent voice with its rich, spicy, vibrant red fruit flavours.Don’t miss out on enjoying one of Australia’s most iconic wines this Christmas by picking up yours today at Seppelt Cellar Door or ordering online at https://seppeltgreatwestern.com.au/
Best’s Winery
A unique Australian wine, Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz was re-introduced at Best’s in 2006 after a 20-year absence. Part of a proud history, the sparkling Shiraz style is synonymous with the Great Western and releasing a sparkling version of Best’s famous Shiraz was a great opportunity for Best’s Great Western to refine the style of sparkling Shiraz. Great Western produces grapes that are exceptionally well suited to the Sparkling Shiraz style. During the process of reincarnating this style in the mid-2000s, Best's owner and patriarch Viv Thomson, as well as Ian Mackenzie (formerly Winemaker at Seppelt Great Western) were consulted to ensure the wine reflected the origins from whence it came, but also was characteristic of the regional style. The Shiraz grapes are picked early, made in vats and have minimal oak treatment. The result is a wine with a medium body, which retains its freshness and intensity with age. Current winemaker, Justin Purser has embraced the sparkling Shiraz project and has initiated some improvements, including using aged Liqueur Muscat material from old casks at Best’s as the dosage in the Sparkling Shiraz. Justin is also working closely with Ben Thomson in the vineyard to fine-tune the best vineyard block for the Sparkling Shiraz style.The 2017 Great Western Sparkling Shiraz is a very dark red, with a rocky mousse that fills the glass that subsides to reveal a lace of fine persistent bubbles. A vibrant palate of flesh forest fruits with a soft and creamy mouthfeel and a spicy floral finish. Pick it up this Christmas from Best’s Cellar Door and serve it chilled.
Grampians Estate
Released November 2019, the 2017 Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz is a cool-climate medium-bodied style, soft with some subtle chocolate and raspberry flavours. It is an elegant and fulfilling wine that consumes the mouth with good fruit and effervescence. It also has some blackberries and licorice on the nose. This ‘Methode Traditionalle’ sparkling has balance, length and style. Previous vintages of the Rutherford Sparkling Shiraz have been awarded 15 trophies including the 2006 vintage which was Winestate Magazine’s ‘Sparkling of the Year’.
Sparkling Shiraz Recipes
Sparkling shiraz is not only great to drink at Christmas time but it can actually be used as an ingredient for many delicious and festive recipes such as sparkling shiraz jelly or sangria.
Check out this delicious Sangria recipe:
https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/sparkling-shiraz-sangria/88fb466e-d793-4925-9a7b-b8c9fba97e07
Sparkling Shiraz and Rasberry Jelly
http://suetehan.com/index.php/dessert/sparkling-shiraz-fresh-raspberry-jelly/
Here’s a grown-up version of a childhood favourite; Sparkling Shiraz Spider
Chocolate pear tarts with Sparkling Shiraz
https://kitchen.nine.com.au/recipes/chocolate-pear-tarts-with-sparkling-shiraz-sabayon/1321dce0-dbbb-4dca-b6b3-a5984c3e3e2f