Why Our 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo Belongs at Christmas

Introducing our 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo

There is something special about opening a bottle of sparkling red at Christmas. It feels festive, familiar and very Australian. This year, we are happy to have something a little different back on the table. Say hello to our newly released 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo.

Why this wine matters to us

Sparkling Tempranillo is not a style you see very often. Only a small number of wineries in the world make it and we are proud to be one of them. It lets us offer something that feels both comfortable and a bit unexpected at the same time.

Tempranillo brings brightness and lift to sparkling red. Compared with a traditional Sparkling Shiraz, the 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo is:

• lighter and softer on the palate

• full of juicy cherry and black berry fruit

• smooth and gentle rather than rich and heavy

• fresh and very easy to drink in warm weather

It is the kind of sparkling red you can pour at the start of the day and happily sip right through a long lunch with family and friends.

Made using the traditional method

Our 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo is made using Méthode Traditionelle, the same classic method used in Champagne. It is slow, careful work and it suits the way we like to make wine.

In this method:

• the bubbles develop naturally inside the bottle

• the wine spends extended time resting on yeast lees which adds flavour, texture and creaminess

• each bottle is riddled and disgorged to remove the lees and leave the wine bright and clear

The result is a fine, persistent bead and a palate that feels layered and silky, not simple or fizzy. Tempranillo’s natural fruit and gentle spice sit beautifully with this style of winemaking.

A short sparkling red story

Sparkling red wine has been enjoyed for centuries. In northern Italy, winemakers have long made gently fizzy reds from grapes such as Lambrusco, in both dry and sweeter styles.

Australia then took the idea and gave it a very local accent. In the late nineteenth century, pioneering winemakers began using the traditional method with Shiraz and other red grapes to create deep coloured, full flavoured sparkling reds. Over time, that style became an Australian specialty and found a natural home on Christmas tables right across the country.

Our 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo sits within that story but brings its own personality. It has the colour, perfume and sense of occasion people expect from sparkling red, with a lighter touch and a more summery feel which makes it a perfect companion to not only Christmas but all your spring and summer festivities!

Food pairing ideas

The 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo is very versatile at the table. It works beautifully with classic Christmas and summer dishes such as:

• glazed ham

• charcuterie and grazing boards with cured meats, olives and hard cheeses

• barbecued lamb or pork

• roast turkey with cranberry sauce

• berry pavlova, chocolate desserts or Christmas pudding

You can also simply chill a bottle and enjoy a glass as the day unfolds.

Our 2023 Sparkling Tempranillo brings together careful craft, bright fruit and a feel of celebration. We are proud to share this release with you and look forward to sharing it with you.