Sparkling hidden gems: The ultimate guide to the best sparkling wines
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There's nothing quite like the pop of a cork and the effervescent fizz of sparkling wine to elevate any occasion.
Whether it's a romantic date night, a casual gathering with friends, or simply a quiet evening at home, a good bottle of bubbly can add a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.
Allow yourself to indulge in these delightful selections as we explore the comprehensive guide to the best affordable sparkling wines that suit every palate and occasion.
Prosecco: The Underestimated Italian Sparkler
Often underrated in Australia, prosecco is a versatile and refreshing sparkling wine that can offer excellent value for money.
The key to choosing a good prosecco lies in understanding its style.
From the dry (between 17 and 32 grams of residual sugar per litre) and intense extra brut (less than six grams of residual sugar per litre) to the super sweet extra dry (12 to 17 grams of residual sugar per litre) and the lees-aged brut nature (aged on lees), there's a prosecco to suit every taste.
Pair a dry prosecco with spicy food for a delightful contrast.
Top picks include the Dal Zotto for P&V Prosecco NV ($25), an exclusive creation by King Valley prosecco pioneers Dal Zotto for Sydney-based wine and liquor merchants P&V.
Another standout is the La Prova Prosecco 2023 ($28), crafted by talented Adelaide Hills-based winemaker Sam Scott using King Valley fruit.
If you're after an authentic Italian prosecco, look for bottles from Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, available in wine shops across Australia, such as Nick’s Wine’s Bellussi Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($27.99).
Pét-nat: The Natural Sparkler with a Casual Vibe
Pétillant Naturel, which means ‘naturally sparkling’, or pét-nat, is a naturally sparkling wine made using the methode ancestrale.
This rustic and diverse style of wine has gained a following among wine enthusiasts and hipsters alike. Despite its seemingly casual vibe, crafting a good pét-nat requires meticulous attention to detail.
‘At times, it irks me that people think there’s nothing serious about pét-nat,’ Adelaide Hills-based winemaker Alex Schulkin of The Other Right explained.
‘Those making it for the first time probably think it’s the easy option–just like we did when we started making it.’
Making a good pét-nat involves preventing it from exploding when opened. Schulkin takes care to hand-disgorge his pet-nats to avoid this.
Disgorging is a detailed process of removing yeast residue. Bottles are stored to gather yeast in the neck, then frozen and briefly opened to expel the frozen yeast, leaving the wine clear.
‘It is probably the most labour-intensive wine we make, but we still like the vibe, the flamboyance of it and the unassuming nature of pet-nat,’ Schulkin said.
‘My sage advice for those who are not heavily into wine but still want to drink reasonable stuff is to look at the back label and make sure it’s not designed to look like a small family enterprise but is, in fact, a multinational.’
Recommendations include The Other Right Bright Young Thing White ($36), a high-quality pet-nat that sets the bar for others.
The Ngeringa Petillant Naturel 2023 ($40) is a delightful sparkling biodynamic rosé made in the Adelaide Hills using syrah, pinot noir, viognier, and semillon.
Champagne: The Ultimate Indulgence
Champagne, the epitome of luxury and celebration, need not be an unattainable indulgence.
According to John Noble, Sydney-based Champagne Bureau Director and Educator, ‘Champagne is a light, dry, effervescent, refreshing drink, and you can pretty much enjoy any champagne during the day or night.’
‘Think about a beautiful sunny day serving snacks to your friends in your backyard. Champagne adds pizazz at any time of day.’
For those on a budget, the Marie De Moy Champagne NV ($32.99) from ALDI offers a taste of French luxury without the hefty price tag.
If you're looking for another budget-friendly bubbly, ALDI's Veuve Olivier French Sparkling Wine NV is a game-changer.
At $8.99, this fresh, dry, and fun sparkling wine is perfect for any celebration. It's proof that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a good bottle of fizz.
Australian Sparkling: Local Gems
Australia's diverse wine regions–from Victoria's Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula to Tasmania and New South Wales' Tumbarumba–produce exceptional sparkling wines.
Australian sparkling wine continues to improve and is an excellent choice for supporting local businesses and feeling good about your purchase.
The Terre à Terre and DAOSA labels, created by Lucy and Xavier Bizot, are a testament to the quality of Australian sparkling wines.
They're committed to maintaining quality and have trademarked the name ‘Method Classic’ to describe and safeguard their sparkling wine process.
This aligns with both the best Australian practices and the principles of the French champagne method. This also sets standards and enhances the quality of Australian sparkling wines.
Tasmania’s Clover Hill Cuvee Exceptionnelle Rosé 2017 ($75) and the Courabyra Wines 805 Vintage Brut 2016 ($65) from cool-climate Tumbarumba are some of the best Australian sparkling wines you should try.
What’s your favourite sparkling wine? Have you tried any of the sparkling wines mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!
Whether it's a romantic date night, a casual gathering with friends, or simply a quiet evening at home, a good bottle of bubbly can add a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.
Allow yourself to indulge in these delightful selections as we explore the comprehensive guide to the best affordable sparkling wines that suit every palate and occasion.
Prosecco: The Underestimated Italian Sparkler
Often underrated in Australia, prosecco is a versatile and refreshing sparkling wine that can offer excellent value for money.
The key to choosing a good prosecco lies in understanding its style.
What better way to enjoy any occasion than some sparkling wine? Credit: Unsplash
From the dry (between 17 and 32 grams of residual sugar per litre) and intense extra brut (less than six grams of residual sugar per litre) to the super sweet extra dry (12 to 17 grams of residual sugar per litre) and the lees-aged brut nature (aged on lees), there's a prosecco to suit every taste.
Pair a dry prosecco with spicy food for a delightful contrast.
Top picks include the Dal Zotto for P&V Prosecco NV ($25), an exclusive creation by King Valley prosecco pioneers Dal Zotto for Sydney-based wine and liquor merchants P&V.
Another standout is the La Prova Prosecco 2023 ($28), crafted by talented Adelaide Hills-based winemaker Sam Scott using King Valley fruit.
If you're after an authentic Italian prosecco, look for bottles from Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, available in wine shops across Australia, such as Nick’s Wine’s Bellussi Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($27.99).
Pét-nat: The Natural Sparkler with a Casual Vibe
Pétillant Naturel, which means ‘naturally sparkling’, or pét-nat, is a naturally sparkling wine made using the methode ancestrale.
This rustic and diverse style of wine has gained a following among wine enthusiasts and hipsters alike. Despite its seemingly casual vibe, crafting a good pét-nat requires meticulous attention to detail.
‘At times, it irks me that people think there’s nothing serious about pét-nat,’ Adelaide Hills-based winemaker Alex Schulkin of The Other Right explained.
‘Those making it for the first time probably think it’s the easy option–just like we did when we started making it.’
Making a good pét-nat involves preventing it from exploding when opened. Schulkin takes care to hand-disgorge his pet-nats to avoid this.
Disgorging is a detailed process of removing yeast residue. Bottles are stored to gather yeast in the neck, then frozen and briefly opened to expel the frozen yeast, leaving the wine clear.
‘It is probably the most labour-intensive wine we make, but we still like the vibe, the flamboyance of it and the unassuming nature of pet-nat,’ Schulkin said.
‘My sage advice for those who are not heavily into wine but still want to drink reasonable stuff is to look at the back label and make sure it’s not designed to look like a small family enterprise but is, in fact, a multinational.’
Recommendations include The Other Right Bright Young Thing White ($36), a high-quality pet-nat that sets the bar for others.
The Ngeringa Petillant Naturel 2023 ($40) is a delightful sparkling biodynamic rosé made in the Adelaide Hills using syrah, pinot noir, viognier, and semillon.
Champagne: The Ultimate Indulgence
Champagne, the epitome of luxury and celebration, need not be an unattainable indulgence.
According to John Noble, Sydney-based Champagne Bureau Director and Educator, ‘Champagne is a light, dry, effervescent, refreshing drink, and you can pretty much enjoy any champagne during the day or night.’
‘Think about a beautiful sunny day serving snacks to your friends in your backyard. Champagne adds pizazz at any time of day.’
For those on a budget, the Marie De Moy Champagne NV ($32.99) from ALDI offers a taste of French luxury without the hefty price tag.
If you're looking for another budget-friendly bubbly, ALDI's Veuve Olivier French Sparkling Wine NV is a game-changer.
At $8.99, this fresh, dry, and fun sparkling wine is perfect for any celebration. It's proof that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a good bottle of fizz.
ALDI’s range of sparkling wine is a jackpot for your budget. Credit: ALDI
Australian Sparkling: Local Gems
Australia's diverse wine regions–from Victoria's Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula to Tasmania and New South Wales' Tumbarumba–produce exceptional sparkling wines.
Australian sparkling wine continues to improve and is an excellent choice for supporting local businesses and feeling good about your purchase.
The Terre à Terre and DAOSA labels, created by Lucy and Xavier Bizot, are a testament to the quality of Australian sparkling wines.
They're committed to maintaining quality and have trademarked the name ‘Method Classic’ to describe and safeguard their sparkling wine process.
This aligns with both the best Australian practices and the principles of the French champagne method. This also sets standards and enhances the quality of Australian sparkling wines.
Tasmania’s Clover Hill Cuvee Exceptionnelle Rosé 2017 ($75) and the Courabyra Wines 805 Vintage Brut 2016 ($65) from cool-climate Tumbarumba are some of the best Australian sparkling wines you should try.
