Australian Gourmet Traveller - (12)December 2019 (1)

1

2018 Chalmers Lambrusco,

Heathcote, $43

Forget your – or your parents’

• outdated perception of red
  Lambrusco as nothing but cheap,
  sweet fizz. This is the modern
  face of Lambrusco: deep, purple-
  foaming, beautifully intense,
  dark-fruited, dry. Drink with
  charcuterie: spicy salami and
  silky prosciutto. chalmers.com.au

2

NV Laherte Frères

Ultradition, Champagne, $75

At some point during the summer

holidays, when the festive clamour

is at its height, find a quiet spot,

open a bottle of this stunning

Champagne and share it with

someone you love. Savour its

complex, tangy vinosity – and

then plunge back into the chaos.

Imported by bibendum.com.au

Fizz and pop Waterford

Elegance Champagne

cooler and Waterford

Lismore Essence

Champagne saucer, both

from Peter’s of Kensington.

All other props stylist’s

own. Stockists p176.

S

ummer drinking used to mean

packing the Esky with a few

stubbies of beer and a bottle

of sav blanc. Those days are

long gone, thank goodness. Now, in

2019, Australian drinkers are much

more adventurous. To satisfy our

modern summer thirst we want

funky pet-nat and traditional cider,

innovative spirits and pale, dry rosé.

We crave local whites made from exotic

grapes, and imported whites made

from familiar grapes. And we’re also

keen on light, juicy reds best drunk

chilled. Time to get a bigger Esky.

3

2019 Voyager Estate

Project Pet Nat Rouge,

Margaret River, $35

The crew at Voyager Estate are

really embracing their collective

inner hipster these days. As well

as converting their vineyards to

certified organic farming, they’ve

also dabbled in delicious pet-nat

production: this one tastes like

still-fermenting merlot juice.

voyagerestate.com.au

4

2014 Jansz Single Vineyard

Chardonnay, Tasmania, $65

You already know the reliable, high-

quality range of Tassie sparkling

from Jansz. Here’s something a

bit special: a limited-release bottling

of a single-vineyard, 100 per

cent chardonnay fizz – crisp and

elegant, citrusy, refreshing. A

good wine for a Christmas Day

apéritif. jansz.com.au

5

NV Paracombe A Trio of

Pinot, Adelaide Hills, $27

Here’s something different: three

varieties from the same grape

family – pinot noir, pinot blanc

and pinot gris – blended together

to produce a superbly summery

sparkling rosé that’s floral, fruity

and creamy on the tongue. Perfect

picnic wine. paracombewines.com 

F

i

z

z

a

n

d^ pop

Photography WILL HORNER

Styling MELISSA MARTIN

GOURMET TRAVELLER 97