It seems that sparkling red wines are mainly an Australian fashion, a few are found in other wine producing countries. Pink or Rose sparkling wines are more common; many Champagne houses make pink as well as white wine
The most famous of Australia's sparkling reds in the middle of last century was Seppelt 'Sparkling Burgundy.' Of course with the new laws governing names the wine can no longer be called that. These days it is simply known as sparkling Shiraz.
Making Sparkling Red
These wines can be made in the same ways as sparkling white wines. The most expensive sparkling wines are made in the Champagne method. A base wine is made from red, rather than white, grapes and allowed to mature in barrels. The wine is then dosed with some yeast and grape sugar and bottled. A second fermentation takes place. The resulting carbon dioxide gives the wine its characteristic bead or bubbles. The yeast is then frozen in the neck of the bottle and then removed in a process called disgorgement. The wine is then finally recorked for further aging and sale.
Just like Champagne sparkling reds come in vintage and non-vintage (NV) forms. In the case of NV wines from several years are blended.
Quick and cheap sparkling reds can be made by carbonating red wine just as soft drinks are made. These wines are not of high quality.
Sparkling Red Varieties
The most common variety for making sparkling red wine in Australia is Shiraz. This is hardly surprising because Shiraz is the most common variety used in Australia. But many other varieties are also used, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Durif (Petite Sirah), Malbec, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir.
The Taste of Sparkling Red Wines
Like all other wine styles, sparkling reds vary greatly in quality and price. There are cheap wines which have their faults masked by an overgenerous dollop of sugar. At the other end of the scale wine makers lavish care and attention on the wine from the vineyard to the bottle to produce some memorable wines. These are considerably dearer.
Some Recommended Sparkling Red Wines to Try
- All Saints NV Sparkling Shiraz, Rutherglen
- Anderson Methode Champenoise Shiraz, Rutherglen
- Auldstone Sparkling Shiraz, Glenrowan
- Hollick Sparkling Merlot, Coonawarra
- Morris Sparkling Shiraz Durif, Rutherglen
- Rochford NV Black Shiraz, Rutherglen
- Seppelt Silverband Grampians Sparkling Shiraz NV, Grampians
Sparkling Red and Food
These wines are very versatile when it comes to matching with food. They can be used as an aperitif, in a similar way that we might use Champagne or other sparkling white wines. The extra flavour and body makes these wines excellent as accompaniments to roast meats, and the bubbles can add a festive touch to the Christmas or Thanksgiving turkey.
Sparkling red wines are robust enough to pair with slightly spicy Asian dishes. Perhaps you could try one with Mongolian lamb or the classic Peking Duck.
