ADD A BIT OF SPARKLE Hunter’s Mirumiru Reserve 2016 (Marlborough) - 4 $39.90 ★★★★★

MARY-THERESE BLAIR welcomes some overseas bubbles among the local top scorers.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO, when taking a photo, forgoes the traditional ‘cheese’ in favour of making everyone say ‘bubbles’. He maintains that it’s one word you can’t say without smiling... and he’s not wrong. There’s something about the very sight of a heavy-bottomed, contoured bottle that, in the modern world of screw cap, is still a stalwart of the cork. There’s a nervous tension that grips us when it comes to delicately easing out a cork – which is under more pressure than your car tyre – to release the delicious bubbles inside. What is it about opening a bottle of bubbles that makes us feel, well, a bit giddy before we’ve even taken a sip? Whatever it is, we’re here for it. While the top wines in this selection are predominantly home grown there are a few international gems such as French crémant and Spanish cava if you’re looking to add an international sparkle to the table this holiday season.

TASTING PANEL

The judges that tasted the Champagne also tasted the méthode traditionelle and sparkling wines.

TOP 5

1 Hunter’s Mirumiru Reserve 2016 (Marlborough) ★★★★★ $39.90

2 Louis Bouillot Perle d’aurore Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne NV (France)

★★★★★ $30

3 Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige NV ★★★★★ $38

4 Peregrine Méthode Traditionelle NV (Central Otago) ★★★★ $50

5 Hariata Méthode Traditionelle NV Tiki New Zealand Marlborough

★★★★ $35

Those wines offering an outstanding mix of quality and price are awarded Best Buy status. Price points differ, depending on the varietal, but if you see the Best Buy sticker you can rest assured you’re getting a great wine at an excellent price. Look out for the sticker on wine bottles at all good wine retailers. 1

TOP SPARKLING

IF THERE’S A NAME that’s synonymous with the history of Marlborough wine, it’s Hunter’s. Wine has been made at the family-owned winery since the early days of Marlborough in the 1980s and it has won more than 200 gold medals for its wines both locally and internationally. Translated from Te Reo Mirumiru means ‘bubbles’ and the 2016 vintage reserve takes this year’s sparkling wine top spot. This 2016 méthode traditionelle is pinot dominant at 49%, with 36% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier making up the rest of the blend. The wine is left on lees for at least three years.

The start of the growing season in spring 2016 was dry and, despite concerns, the late frosts that year did not impact the fruit set. With a good start being half the work, some rain helped the vines to thrive during the growing season and a hot, dry summer assisted ripening when it was needed most. This also ensured the grapes could be picked at leisure at harvest without the pressure of any impending weather events.

The resulting Mirumiru Reserve 2016 is a beautiful pale yellow colour in the glass with a fine persistent bead delivering

bright lifted aromatics to the drinker.

A hint of almond and cashew nuttiness with a delightful apple and custard creamy nuance on the nose flows through to the palate where it teams with ripe stone fruit and red-apple flavours. A fresh and elegant méthode with wonderful palate weight, a moreish mousse and a crisp satisfying finish.

2 / Louis Bouillot Perle d’aurore Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne NV (France)

★★★★★ - 3 $30

A bit of a mouthful to say, but very easy to enjoy. This rosé looks absolutely stunning in the glass with its inviting pale salmon colour. A deft and delicate crémant in an offdry style. The red apple and berry flavours with just a hint of spice against amazing creaminess and lingering toastiness mean you have everything you need on the palate before enjoying a long lingering finish. (A)

3 / Mumm Marlborough Brut Prestige NV ★★★★★ - 3 $38

Champagne excellence and heritage meets Marlborough fruit brilliance and triumphs once again. This lovely bright wine has citrus blossom on the nose and is both graceful and precise through the palate with a nutty, toasty, lemon curd character that provides an extra ethereal dimension to the palate. An excellent refined sparkling with luscious acidity.

4 / Peregrine Méthode Traditionelle NV (Central Otago) ★★★★ - 3 $50

Fine bead on display with citrus blossom, supple green apple and a white stone fruit nuance on the nose supported with chewy, layered brioche on the textured palate and superb focus. A wonderful sparkling with poise and length, and a serious player in the New Zealand méthode space. Both organic and vegan friendly.

5 / Hariata Méthode Traditionelle NV Tiki New Zealand Marlborough ★★★★ - 2 $35

On the nose sublime lifted bread, brioche and toast aromas which carry through onto the palate, in particular the chewy fresh brioche character. This wine has an incredible steely acid backbone with wonderful mineral precision and is both bright and refreshing.

Deutz Rosé NV (Marlborough) ★★★★ - 2 $26

Diamond Heart Blanc de Blancs 2017 (Marlborough)

★★★★ - 4 $40

Dibon Cava Brut NV (Spain) ★★★★ - 2 $22 (B)

Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery Brut NV (France) ★★★★ - 2 $25 (C)

Mumm Marlborough Rosé 2016 ★★★★ - 2 $43

Nautilus Vintage Rosé 2018 (Marlborough) ★★★★ - 5 $49

Tohu Rewa Blanc de Blancs Méthode Traditionnelle 2015 (Marlborough) ★★★★ - 2 $40

Tohu Rewa Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle 2016 (Marlborough)

★★★★ - 3 $40

DISTRIBUTORS

(A) Negociants – negociants.com/nz (B) Vintners – vintners.nz

(C) Procure – procureliquor.co.nz

Akarua Vintage Brut 2016 (Central Otago) ★★★★ - 4 $55

Deutz Marlborough Cuvée NV

★★★★ - 2 $25

There are a few international gems such as French crémant and Spanish cava if you’re looking to add an international sparkle to the table this holiday season.