New World Sparkling Wine
2019 GOLD: 6 SILVER: 2 BRONZE: 0 COMMENDED: 3
2018 GOLD: 2 SILVER: 3 BRONZE: 3 COMMENDED: 6
With sparkling wine so much in the ascendance but prices generally high, we said last year that this category was ‘an opportunity waiting to be seized’. And this year, for the first time, the New World’s fizz producers did just that.
We’ve never had more than a couple of Golds here, so this year’s six signalled a real step up. Moreover, they came from all over the New World and in a fascinating – and sometimes head-spinning – array of styles.
Usually this section is dominated by South Africa and New Zealand, but this year we saw great examples from Canada to Colchagua and Argentina to Australia, as well. In fact, New Zealand was conspicuous by its absence.
What really made this flight stand out was the value for money – particularly exceptional in a year where prices were generally high. All our Golds were under £21, with many of them around half that price. Whether well-priced Cap Classiques, an ice wine sparkling, the sublime Lehmann ‘Black Queen’ red fizz (for the second year) or the Schroeder frizzante, there was a lot to get excited by here.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
&‘There was quite a range here in terms of price and style, from very simple ones with fresh acidity and citrus notes, right up to oaky ones with yeasty notes. It’s always interesting to see how New World wineries produce their sparkling wines compared to the Old World, and champagne in particular.’ Markus Dilger, Dilger Sommelier Selection
‘The entry level was good value for money, but at a certain price point, above £15, you reach a breaking point, where you need to be as good as champagne. Above champagne’s price point you need a sommelier to push it, or use it as a pairing.’ Julien Sahut, Sexy Fish
‘Sometimes the less expensive wines with honest and open winemaking, that aren’t trying too hard, can be the way to go.’ Nigel Lister, team leader
‘The [Peller Ice Wine] had great concentration, a touch of residual sugar, and zingy acidity. At £80 you could put it on the list and showcase it, as it’s so unique – even if you lost out a bit on GP.’ Mattia Mazzi, The River Cafe
‘In the last few years these have mellowed, and become more approachable, with fewer of those herbal, vegetal notes. It puts them in a good position. I don’t think it’ll surpass champagne, but it could become on a par with it.’ Gabriele Bertotti, Maze by Gordon Ramsay