“Welcome to the summer edition of Liquor Barons On The Vine.

In this edition, the Liquor Barons’ selection panel and I have chosen from a wide selection of sparkling wines to find a great value pack to get you started as we head towards Christmas and New Year.

It was a very impressive range of wines from which to choose, showing you don’t have to be drinking the real deal Champagne to get quality sparkling wines. In this case, we have chosen from parts of France outside Champagne, Italy and Australia. Needless to say, there were a number of excellent proseccos submitted, showing just why this variety and style has become so popular.

We were able to find a very good Italian prosecco and also an outstanding prosecco from the King Valley, which has become the home of this variety in Australia. These days Australian winemakers are producing excellent wines along similar lines to the wines of France and in this six-pack we have included an excellent wine from Tasmania, from which some of our best bubbles are coming, and another from Howard Park, who have established a leadership for this style. All-in-all, it was an excellent tasting and we are delighted to present the best of them for you this On The Vine.”

– Ray Jordan

On The Vine Edition Eight Tasting Notes

• ANDREOLA | AKELUM ASOLO PROSECCO DOCG 2023 | 93/100 
  This is a classical tight prosecco, revealing the typical qualities of apple and pear,
  with a light citrus edge to add some interest. It has a finely crafted palate texture,
  with a keen acidity driving the long finish. We like this as an aperitif style. True to
  style in every sense, this is a fun drink.
• HOWARD PARK | PETIT JETÉ BLANC DE BLANCS NV | 93/100
  A delightful sparkling wine from chardonnay. It’s delicate, but at the same time there
  is excellent flavour intensity through a complete and integrated middle palate. There’s
  lifted citrus and lemony characters with a distinctive biscuit edge on the finish, that is
  also clean and crisp. This shows the class of the Howard Park suite of sparkling wines.
• FRENCHMAN’S CAP | SPARKLING NV | 93/100 
  If you ever wanted more evidence that Tasmania is the place to go for Australian
  sparkling, then this cracking value-for-money fizz is compelling. It’s fine and elegantly
  focused, with a subtle meaty mid palate coming from the pinot noir component. It’s
  textured and so beautifully presented. This is class at an affordable price.
• BARTON & GUESTIER | CHARDONNAY BRUT NV | 93/100
  Sparkling wine is made in several regions of France outside Champagne. In this case,
  it’s from Bordeaux. Loaded with creamy stone fruit, dominated by ripe apricot and
  peach, with a fine lingering acidity ensuring a sustained focus. This wine has spent
  three months on lees to develop additional complexity. All in all, a fine example of
  French sparkling outside Champagne.
• LAMBROOK | ‘SPARK’ SPARKLING PINOT NOIR NV | 92/100 
  Pink fizz always looks so good, especially at Christmas on a warm summer’s day. So,
  this is a rose sparkling wine, where the colour is the palest of pales. It’s perfumed
  with fragrant red fruits of strawberry and cherry. The palate has a fine acidity and
  the additional dosage just balances it perfectly. Ideal with salmon or crayfish at
  Christmas lunch.
• LA PROVA | PROSECCO 2024 | 94/100
  This excellent example of Australian prosecco comes from the high altitudes of
  Victoria’s King Valley, a region that has built a very strong reputation for this variety
  and style. It has all the characters you look for; melon, citrus and apple with a little
  minerality. This prosecco retains a brightness with a beautifully textured pristine
  palate. All you want in Aussie prosecco.