About Australian Sparkling Wines

The Australian wine industry manages to make Methode Champenoise wines of serious quality at prices that would make Champagne producers turn as green as their unripe grapes. Fruity, generous wines that can often show fine yeasty notes often associated with more expensive wines, typify the Australian sparkling wine style. Nearly all Aussie sparklers use champagne grape varieties (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and most can be purchased for $10 or less.An esoteric specialty that is unique to Australia is Sparkling Shiraz. This is a fruity red sparkling wine that has flavors associated with Shiraz red table wines. Few examples are imported, but more adventurous drinkers may wish to seek it out

Top Picks for Australian Sparkling Wines

Sidewood 2018 Isabella Brut Rosé Adelaide Hills
93 points
$30
A textbook and food friendly sparkling Rosé with a fresh, crisp yet fruity finish that is a great option to introduce people to New World bubbles.
Sidewood 2016 Chloe Cuvée Brut Adelaide Hills
91 points
$30
A fresh introduction to New World sparkling wines with crisp acidity and ripe orchard fruit from beginning to end.
Zonte’s Footstep NV Chocolate Mousseux Cuvée South Australia
88 points
$24
Try this for dry, but still juicy, dark fruit flavors and lighthearted bubbles with a touch of brooding Syrah character.