Top 5 New Zealand Bubbles/ Sparkling wine

Well a celebration isn’t it a celebration without bubbles, and we all need lists and people to make them, so here is my list of New Zealand’s top sparkling wine, or bubbles as we call them.

Well here is Jayson Bryant’s Top 5 Kiwi Bubbles. Champagne and Bubbles are synonymous with celebration, and no event should be compromised without them. The sound of popping corks and bubbles spewing forth are great ways to maximise the event, Birthdays, weddings, Anniversaries, Christmas, and even mid Winter Christmas!

Here are what I deem to be New Zealand’s best examples of bubbles:

Huia Blanc de Blancs 2004

Made using traditional methods of making Champagne, the Huia 2004 displays many similarities with some fine Champagne. The wine is all estate grown Chardonnay fruit and the expression is characterised by brioche and yeast with a hint of cream. The palate is taut, dry, toasty and balanced beautifully with streamline racy acid. Simply the best New Zealand bubbles right now.

91 Points
5 Stars
RRP $30

Morton Premium Brut Methode Traditionnelle

This wine nails it on quality and price point alone! A fresh and youthful bubbles that comes in below $20 in supermarkets and over delivers on quality. The purity of fruit, the creamy French Golden Delicious apple characters are clean and crisp with fine bubbles. A blend of all three traditional Champagne grape varieties, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier. Also the wine is blended grapes from Marlborough and
Hawke’s Bay but is well balanced and finishes with a zing.

90 Points
5 Stars
RRP $25

Nautilus Cuvée Marlborough Brut NV

This wine was first released in 1986, and continues to improve. Forget what you’ve been told about non-vintage wine not being able to age, this one does. The fine bubbles in the glass give a hint of what is in store, with a rich creamy hot bread character running through to the palate with delicate mousse and green apples. This wine will last for a few years and is great with an array of food but exceptional with Fish and Chips!

88 Points
4 Stars
RRP $30

Johanneshof Emmy NV

The quiet underachievers of Marlborough, Johanneshof are more renowned for their Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer than bubbles, but fine wine is what they make. The delicate nature of all of their wines is present in Emmy. The rich pure fruit and yeasty characters pulled together with bright acidity and long finish make this an easy buy.

88 Points
4 Stars RRP
$35

Lindauer Brut Cuvée NV

Purely in the list based on price, this wine rolls in at under $10 and is well worth the money. Recently acquired by Lion Nathan from Pernos Ricard, there has been no drop in quality as of yet. It’s a simple wine made in the traditional Champagne way. Linear in nature with course acid and fruit, it won’t blow you away on interest only price and in these hard times it’s got a big following.

75 Points
3 Stars
RRP $15

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Written by Jayson Bryant

Jayson’s roots in wine began when his father literally dragged him round France and injected his passion into him. From the age of 8 his family took month long holidays in France travelling through all regions and sampling their wine.
UnScrewed has reinvented the concept of wine tasting in New Zealand and along the way found a new and willing audience. In addition to encouraging straightforward wine tasting, Jayson educates viewers about the effects of regional factors (soil, sun, wind) on wine flavours, and how to buy wine.

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