New World Sparkling Wine

Home Winners > Winners 2016 > New World Sparkling Wine

Winner Details

2016 Gold: 2 Silver: 3 Bronze: 2 Commended: 5
2015 Gold: 2 Silver: 3 Bronze: 6 Commended: 3

Amidst the slew of medals for other white sparkling flights, this section stood out as decidedly ‘meh’, with a worse performance than in 2015. Not much terrible wine, but very little to get excited about either.

No surprise that Graham Beck proved its credentials, and Undurraga (regularly good performers in this competition across the board) did well with two offerings from Leyda, too. But you can’t help thinking that New Zealand needs to stand up and be counted here.

FROM THE TASTING TEAMS

‘These were better than expected, but the sugar is high.’ Xavier Rousset MS, Blandford Comptoir

‘There is demand because of the price – under £10 – but beyond that, there is not much demand.’ Vincent Pastorello, Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester

‘This is entry-level sparkling so it all depends on the price. Prosecco is more popular, but people are looking for a different style, and it’s good to see sparkling wine from different countries.’ Lukas Nikanorovas, Plateau Restaurant

Award winners

Found 12 wines

Sparkling: New World countries

Undurraga, Extra Brut NV, Leyda Valley, Chile

From Silver in 2015 for its Brut Royal to Gold in 2016 for its Extra Brut, this predominantly Chardonnay sparkler, with 13% Riesling and 7% Sauvignon Blanc, was pronounced 'very unusual,' by team leader Sam Caporn MW, who added: 'With its green grass and pepper nose, this is very refreshing with lovely acid and balance.'
Stefan Kobald of Social Wine & Tapas found a range of aromas of 'citrus, nuts, white peach, apple, raspberry and light toasty notes', and Andre Luis Martins of St James's Hotel and Club noted 'delicate herbal and intense, zesty aromas mix with a bouquet of white flowers, and a delicate minerality on the finish'.

£10.38 Viña Undurraga

Graham Beck, Blanc de Blancs Brut 2010, Robertson, South Africa

The benefits of time gave this wine both class and a Gold.

'Gentle toasty notes mix with white floral aromas and light apricot aromas,' said Andre Luis Martins of St James's Hotel and Club, adding: 'Citrus and earthy characters mix with rich toast on the palate, leading to a fresh finish.'
Vincent Pastorello of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester found 'elegant, vibrant, lemony notes and a hint of minerals on the nose, and a clean palate with balanced acidity', while The Savoy's Erik Simonics noted a 'broad range of flavours and great drinkability'.

£12.46 Bibendum

Undurraga, Titillum, Blanc de Blancs NV, Leyda Valley, Chile

'Floral nose with apple and citrus hints, creamy texture on a fresh, vibrant palate with soft hints of oak and medium acidity,' said Stefan Kobald of Social Wine & Tapas, while Andre Luis Martins of St James's Hotel and Club picked out the 'fresh pear character on the palate, with light green tea aromas and a gentle finish'.

£19.95 Viña Undurraga

Klein Constantia, Méthode Cap Classique, Brut 2012, Constantia, South Africa

'Clean, fresh and fruit-driven with citrus aromas, followed by a fresh palate with clean acidity and balanced dosage,' said Vincent Pastorello of Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, while team leader Sam Caporn MW said: 'This is quite appley, with evidence of autolysis, a good mousse and balance, and a nice length, too.'

£9.63 Mentzendorff & Co

Akarua, Brut NV, Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand

'Rounded, bready nose. More champagne-like than most, with better base wine,' began team leader Martin Lam, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at the InterContinental adding: 'Complex, refined nose, smoky palate with good overall integration, and great with food.'

£15.95 Liberty Wines

Peller Estates, Ice Cuvée NV, Niagara Peninsula, Canada

This is created by the addition of a dosage of Vidal icewine at degorgement, producing a unique, off-dry sparkler. While all appreciated the soft sweetness, Andre Luis Martins of St James's Hotel and Club particularly enjoyed the 'rich, tropical aromas and nice sultana notes'.

£19.15 Enotria&Coe

Luigi Bosca, Familia Arizu, Luigi Bosca, Brut NV, Luján de Cuyo/Maipú Valleys, Mendoza, Argentina

'Floral nose with fresh apple and grapefruit,' said Stefan Kobald of Social Wine & Tapas, continuing: 'Well integrated, with mineral slate and stone fruit on the palate, hints of oak and moderate acidity.'
'Dry, great mousse with yellow ripe fruit and a hint of spice,' agreed Lionel Periner of The Lucky Onion.

£14.95 Bancroft Wines

Winner Details