Bubbles!

Posted: 21/09/2011 9:07:37 a.m.

Bubbles come in various makes and models – the basic model is made by injecting CO2 which gives us huge bubbles rather like in soft drinks – they dissipate very quickly and don’t give a very satisfactory fizz. The second is tank fermented where the initial wine undergoes a second fermentation but in tank and is then bottled under pressure to keep the bubbles in. This can make pretty good light, delicate sparkling wines such as Asti Spumante.
The third method is Methode Traditionnelle, so called after the French way of making Champagne. This is made by picking grapes early so the acidity is pretty high, making it into wine and then bottling it, but adding a bit of sugar and a bit of yeast – the yeast devours the sugar, turning it into alcohol (as for all alcoholic fermentation), but in this case it takes place in the bottle which is sealed with a crown seal (like a beer bottle top). So the by-product of CO2 (the bubbles bit) cannot escape and therefore remains in the wine. During a period of time, the bottles are gently tipped so that they end up being stored top down and this is where all the little bits of flotsam and jetsam gather – the spent yeast cells mainly. The next bit is disgorgement – the necks are frozen in brine, the crown cap whipped off, the frozen bung with all the bits removed and a cork shoved in. This is also where the sweetness of the wine can be altered; adding what’s called ‘dosage’ which is often a little bit of older wine with some sugar.

My favourites
Cheapie: $20
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is everywhere at the moment and the best of the lot, in my humble opinion, is Shooting Star by No.1 Family Estate. Fresh, clean, very lively with definite Sauvignon Blanc flavours and delicious refreshing fizz. If you can’t decide between a glass of Sav or a glass of bubbles, this is a real ‘cake and eat it’ type of wine.

Middle of the Road: $30 - $35
Nautilus Cuvee. A wonderful blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – though Pinot Noir dominant giving the wine great structure and the Chardonnay giving the creamy elegance. Rich and seamless. Same growers have been supplying the grapes for this wine for 21 years!

Top of the Tree: $90
Pol Roger Champagne – the official Champagne of the royal wedding and Winston Churchill’s preferred tipple at all times. Powerful yet elegant with a bready, yeastiness yet fresh, citrus characters and a rich, toasty finish. From Epernay – a little town just near the main Champagne city of Reims.