First three of assorted grape varieties, remainder Champagne grapes of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay.
Wine 1 – Cava, Spain – Parxet
Parxet are Cava specialist. From Alella, N of Barcelona, not Pendenes where most Cava comes from. Normal Cava grape mix – indigenous varieties of Xarrel-lo, Macabeo and Parelleda. Spends 30 months maturing in bottle.
Wine 2 – Loire, France - ?
Chenin Blanc
Wine 3 – Lombardy, Italy – Ca de Frati
From Lombardy, N of Piedmont. Traditional centre for quality Italian sparkling. Trebbiano plus a little Chardonnay. Good for sparkling - neutral grape, high acidity.
Wine 4 – Mendoza, Argentina - Chandon
Made by Moet & Chandon. Originally from local grapes, now standard Chardonnay + Pinot Noir. Climate a bit too hot for sparkling grapes so risk of flabby acidity.
Wine 5 – Tasmania, Australia – Yalumba Jansz 1996
Coolest climate in Aus – lots of other sparkling producers in the same area. Used to be owned by champagne house Roederer until 98 so wine started by them and finished by Yalumba.
Wine 6 – Hawkes Bay, New Zealand – Mills Reef Sparkling
Family firm established 1989. Winemaker won Champion Winemaker at 2003 NZ Wine Show. Made in New World sparkling style rather than Champagne look-alike – emphasis on fruit rather than structure.
Wine 7 – Marlborough, New Zealand – Cloudy Bay Pelorus
Owned by Veuve Cliquot. Vintage wine heavily oaked – comes through in taste – ‘bready’. Non-vintage less pronounced. Champagne style.
Wine 8 – West Sussex, England – Ridgeview Cuvee Merrett 1998
1st vintage in 1996. Produces sparkling wine only and one of top two in England. Winner of IWC Silver and Best English Wine. Champagne grapes but limestone/sandstone not chalk so slightly different style. All 3 Champagne grapes but Chardonnay dominates.
Wine 9 – West Sussex, England – Nyetimber Classic Cuvee 1994
Planted 1980s. 1st vintage in 1992. Produces sparkling wine only and one of top two in England. Winner of Yarden International Trophy for best sparkling wine in the world (including Champagne!), 5 stars from Decanter and selected in blind tasting v Champagnes for Queens Golden Jubilee banquet. Champagne grapes and south facing chalk slopes so identical conditions to Champagne. All 3 Champagne grapes. Three years bottle maturation before release.