Regardless of where you are in the world, the New Year is typically cause for celebration.
The prevailing weather, on the other hand, might be quite different. In two of the world's major wine-producing countries, it’s the heart of summer. Days are long and warm, and gatherings are often informal, even if the events and settings can be spectacular, such as the fireworks over Sydney Harbor.
The time calls for lightweight sparkling wines that are equal parts celebration and refreshment. Fortunately, Tasmania and New Zealand offer plenty of cool-climate options that fit this precise description. Joe Czerwinski, managing editor at Robert Parker Wine Advocate, picks five of his favorites:
Australia
Jansz NV Premium Rosé
Under the same ownership as Yalumba, this may be the easiest of these wines to track down outside Australia. It’s pale coppery in hue, with toast and citrus notes that finish on a crisp note.
Josef Chromy 2011 Vintage Sparkling
This 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay spent five years on the yeast and received a small 5 grams per liter dosage, making it especially crisp and clean on the lingering finish.
Pipers Brook 2010 Vintage Cuvée
Despite being partly barrel-fermented, this blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir remains crisp, clean and fresh, with lemon and ginger notes.
New Zealand
Nautilus NV Marlborough Cuvée Brut
A 70/30 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, aged at least three years on the lees to develop nutty, toasty notes that perfectly complement the citrusy fruit.
Quartz Reef NV Methode Traditionelle
From Central Otago, winemaker Rudi Bauer has been making this cuvée for decades and it remains one of New Zealand’s most reliable bottlings, crisp, intense and refreshing.
This article first appeared on Robert Parker Wine Advocate. Click here to read the original version of this story.
