Chris Warnes
1 Champagne Premier Cru NV (Monsigny, $24.99)
Aldi’s exclusive Champagne Premier Cru NV convinces with fruity, pear, citrus and brioche notes and hints of honey. It’s the perfect fresh drop for a gathering on a hot summer’s day and, best of all, it won’t break the bank.
2 La Volpe Prosecco (Usher Tinkler Wines, $30)
One of the first proseccos to be made in the Hunter Valley region of NSW, the bubbles of La Volpe (Italian for ‘the fox’) are laden with mineral notes and overtones of ripe nashi pear, apple and elderflower.
3 Sparkling Pinot Noir (Bird In Hand, $25)
Best enjoyed young, this light and delicate sparkling pinot noir from the Adelaide Hills is proof that good wine needn’t cost a fortune. Its varietal notes of strawberry, cherry and watermelon make it one of the most loved celebratory drinks of the summer.
4 NV Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut (Tyrrell’s Wines, $30)
From family-owned Tyrrell’s Wines in the Hunter Valley comes this utterly moreish bubbly. The 2013 Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut is a delicate sparkling wine that spoils palates with notes of biscuit dough, fruit flavours and a creamy texture.
5 Special Cuvée (Bollinger, $69.99)
Certain occasions call for celebratory drops, and Bollinger’s ‘key figure champagne’, the Special Cuvée, fits the bill to a tee. Take a sip and experience velvety bubbles, notes of brioche and pear, a bit of spice and hints of fresh walnut.
6 2011 Loftia Vintage Brut Late Disgorged MAGNUM (Deviation Road, $140)
Winemaker Kate Laurie learned her craft in Champagne, France, so we just had to include Deviation Road’s delicious Vintage Brut in our round-up. Expect aromas of toasted nuts with ripe red apple and citrus characters, a crisp palate and a lingering, mouth-watering finish.
7 Brut Traditionnelle (Centennial Vineyards, $32.99)
Made in the cool climate of the NSW Southern Highlands, Centennial Vineyards’ Brut Traditionelle boasts complex aromas of yeast, citrus and brioche. Its crisp, grapefruit-driven palate makes it a most pleasing aperitif ahead of your Christmas feast.
8 Cordon Rouge (G.H. Mumm, $79)
Maison Mumm has been producing outstanding wines in the French region of Champagne for nearly 200 years. It is no surprise then, that their elite bubbly made our list. If you’re after something fresh this summer, opt for their Cordon Rouge fizz with complex aromas of fruit and caramel.
9 Summer Rosé (Chandon, $29)
Chandon has teamed up with Seafolly to create two beautiful limited-edition bottles: the Summer Brut and the Summer Rosé. The latter is a fun and refreshing beverage featuring Seafolly’s ‘Modern Love’ print.
10 Premium Cuvée (Jansz Tasmania, $30)
Honeysuckle and citrus scents are immediately apparent in this chardonnay-dominant blend from Jansz Tasmania, with aromas of nougat, roasted nuts and a sniff of strawberry. A well-balanced, zesty and affordable drop
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