The blend of the different wines used to make sparkling wine is called the cuvée. Premium cuvée for sparkling wine is made from various combinations of the grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. When grown in areas that experience cool ripening conditions like the King Valley and our high country Whitlands vineyard, the varieties produce sparkling wines of finesse, elegance and delicacy of flavour. The ultimate factor that determines overall quality in the production of traditional bottle-fermented sparkling wines is the grape varieties represented in the various parcels of wine for blending. Chardonnay from cool regions provides finesse, lightness and elegance and on tasting is detectable initially due to its aromatic lift and relatively high fruit intensity. On the other hand, Pinot Noir, the backbone to many sparkling wines, provides fullness, weight and length to the palate while Pinot Meunier adds fruitiness and roundness.

This wine is a blend of different parcels of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Meunier fruit from cool climate vineyards in the King Valley and selected vineyards in Victoria. All fruit was gently whole bunch pressed to minimise contact between the juice and the grape skins and seeds. 100% of the fruit underwent malolactic fermentation and after vintage the various wines were assembled and assessed. The selected blend then underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle. The wine then spent time on yeast lees to add complexity and allow greater time for the merging of aged and yeast autolysis characters. It was then disgorged, liqueured and bottled.

This wine makes an ideal aperitif or as an accompaniment to a range of appetisers. It is delightful with natural oysters drizzled with a dressing of chopped coriander, lemongrass, lime juice and olive oil two or three minutes before serving.  It would also be ideal with smoked salmon and caviar blinis. And for a main meal why not try marinated salmon with avocado, chives and chervil.