There’s no doubt that sales of all types of bubbly absolutely skyrocket over the festive season, though I think that we sometimes do a disservice to fizz with our focus on it as an end of year party/Christmas/New Year drink.
Bubbly in all its marvellous guises can be enjoyed year round as it has the wonderful ability to lift the mood and create an occasion.
The selections below are from some of the Methode Marlborough group and lifted my mood as I tasted them on a grey morning.
Just add friends/family to brighten your day.
NV St Clair Dawn Methode Marlborough Brut
Rating Excellent
Toasty elements,
honey on warm
baguette, Marmite-y
yeast notes, orange
citrus. Fine bead,
mouth-filling
mousse, subtlety &
elegance to this.
Powerful lemony
citrus notes come
into play, shifting to
mandarin over time,
bready notes sitting
alongside, flowing to
a delightfully long
close. Lots to enjoy
and ready to be
broached.
2017 Deutz Limited Edition Marlborough Prestige Cuvee
Rating Excellent
Powerful nose jumps
out of the glass, full on
toastiness, hints of
funk, a little dry honey.
Lovely mousse, fills
the mouth with flavour,
sourdough bread,
honey, citrus, a
minerally quality.
Nicely balanced and
good length. That little
bit of funky wildness
more evident with time
as the wine softens
slightly. Lots to enjoy
here.
2011 Johanneshof Recently Desgorged Methode Traditionelle Brut
Rating Excellent
Fascinating nose, a
lactic quality akin to
cheese, fleeting stone-
fruits a tangy quality,
fragrance with aeration.
Rich mousse, powerful
flavours with bready
toastiness, flecked with
red apple and a
citrussy underlay. The
toasty characters
evolve to more savoury
nuances with a touch
of wildness/almost
funky. A long, long
close. Hits some
different buttons.
NV Nautilus Late Disgorged Marlborough Methode Traditionelle
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Quite classic nose,
generosity yet
elegance, toastiness
more evident with
time. The palate is
brimming with flavour,
filling the mouth, while
the racy acidity gives
this real vibrancy.
Toastiness again,
hints of clotted cream,
biscuity notes,
excellent integration,
growing nicely in the
glass. Long carry of
flavour. Drinking
superbly now.
NV No 1 Family Estates No 1 Rosé Marlborough Methode Traditionelle
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Musky, almost a
deeper register to this,
bready, biscuity. A
perception of fruit
sweetness here with
apple & apricot
nuances, toasty
characters underlying
things adding a
savoury aspect.
Softer, supple mouth-
feel makes this feel
quite open and ready
for business. A nutty
hint (perhaps almond)
comes in with time.
Nice length.
2016 Esses Kaikoura Methode Traditionelle
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Bold nose brimming
with honey on warm
baguette, wisps of
funk, yeasty umami
characters. Draws
you in. Similar on the
palate, full of flavour
& interest adding
stony/minerally notes
on the close. Nice
development with
yeast autolysis, yet
lovely clarity too. The
mousse fills the
mouth while the
bright acidity adds
zestiness to the long
finish. Super stuff.
