2023 Pool Wines Balloon Pét-Nat
“Pét-nat is not dead! A lurid, ridiculous, come-hither ruby-red colour, fresh, dry and perfect sunny-weather bubbles. No sulphur, maximum fun.” Jeremy Shiell, Winespeake
2021 The Story Prosecco Col Fondo
“Fizzy, frothy, fun. For sunny days in the park or by the pool. No added sulphites. Made from glera.” Jayden Ong, Jayden Ong Winery and Cellar Bar, Healesville
2021 Patrick Underwood Dash Farms Vineyard Leanganook Blanc de Blancs
“Pat Underwood of Little Reddie fame has recently released this whirlwind sparkling wine of promiscuous intensity, the call to arms of all great Champagne! A drink you’d be proud to spill on your favourite tie, before popping another bottle.” Mahmood Fazal, investigative reporter, wine writer
“A zero-dosage stunner from good friend and sweetheart Pat Underwood of Little Reddie fame. It’s cool to see Pat go for it with something that really showcases the skill and knowledge in the art of élevage.” Pete Baxter, Hope St Radio
2019 Mitchell Harris Sabre Vintage Sparkling
“John Harris cut his teeth at Chandon and has been making this classic blend for the last decade or so. Fine and complex, it’s a classy way to start any occasion.” Paul Ghaie, Blackhearts and Sparrows
Blue Pyrenees Vintage Brut
“The Pyrenees is an unsung region that continues to trot along doing its thing without fanfare. This a great example of traditional method sparkling from a region we should be watching more closely.” Meg Brodtmann, Wine with Meg and Mel
Eminence NV Cute Brut Zero Dosage Sparkling Rosé
“Jeezo, what a cracking glass of wine! Smash it on a hot day or take your time and enjoy the filigree with some salty snacks. Chardonnay from a multi-vintage reserve blend intertwines with pinot noir and pinot meunier to create the fruit complexity, while the 30 months on lees has you reminiscing about Nan’s freshly baked shortbread.” Mark Protheroe, Paradise Valley Hotel
North Crémant
“A Jura native who now calls the Macedon Ranges home, Etienne Mangier makes a crémant that’s as good as drinking Champagne. Beautifully crafted, zero dosage, a perfect way to celebrate.” Bronwyn Kabboord, Du Fermier
“This is my favourite Australian sparkling. Etienne Mangier is an avant-garde producer who is creative and thoughtful, which is reflected in the wines.” Loïque Allain, Dilworth and Allain
“This wine kicked off our wedding a couple of years ago; it always brings so much joy!” Andy Ainsworth, Bar Merenda
“Great example of a local sparkling that does all the things you might expect from a wine that nods towards Champagne, but at a fraction of the price. Made by a lovely guy too.” Simon Denman, Neighbourhood Wine
Holly’s Garden ÜberBrut Sparkling NV
“From Whitlands, south of the King Valley, this is a unique sparkling made from a solera aging method and fermented mostly in large-format oak. With a base wine going back to 2007, it’s a complex but fresh and zippy wine, great as an aperitif.” Michael Smith, The Recreation
“We’ve been drinking so many great things from around Victoria it’s always hard to distill it down. We love all of Neil Prentice’s wines from Moondarra in Gippsland. The sparkling comes from a high-altitude vineyard which is all biodynamically farmed. A super-refreshing, layered and delicious wine.” Rohit Singh, Avani
“Great first thing in the morning, or straight after work.” Callie Poole, Reine and La Rue
2013 Eminence Late Disgorged Zero Dosage Sparkling
“This is a beautiful option for summer bubbles. Coming from the Whitlands, one of the coldest growing sites in Australia, this is a zero-dosage, late-disgorgement (eight years) style that is rich and mineral with a savoury edge. It’s perfect on its own, and also an excellent choice to accompany a festive summer meal.” Antonina Heymanson, Chauncy
2017 Anderson & Marsh Catani Blanc de Blancs
“Eleana Anderson and Jo Marsh are friends who decided to combine forces to produce this complex, traditional method chardonnay aged on lees for five years in northeast Victoria’s Alpine Valleys. I’ve got it in my portfolio at Dearth of a Salesman, and you’ll see it on by the glass at the new Circl Wine House on Punch Lane.” Wiremu Andrews, Dearth of a Salesman
2021 Fairbank Ancestral Sparkling Rosé
“Chris Smales continues the tradition of making this wonderfully refreshing and bright pét-nat, like Melanie Chester and Gilles Lapalus before him. Bright red fruits have a savoury lining and the acidity makes it perfect to start the evening or continue through to light antipasti or seafood dishes.” Lyndon Kubis, Clover
Joshua Cooper Straw’s Lane Sparkling Rose
“This is some serious high-altitude sparkling pinot from Macedon. It’s something to open for celebrations.” Luke Skidmore, Tipo 00
Dalzotto Col Fondo Prosecco
“A great spin on the usual clean prosecco that we all know. It’s bottled with lees, which gives the wine complexity, texture and loads of personality but still has zippy acidity.” Nick Brown, Saints Collective
Eminence Cute Brut Zero Dosage Rosé NV
“Clare Burder has always made some of my favourite Victorian sparkling wines, and at the moment she has the fun and summery Cute Brut sparkling rosé, as well as a more serious 2013 vintage late-disgorged sparkling if you want to treat yourself.” Penny Vine, Trader House
Brown Brothers Patricia Sparkling
“This is a favourite of a very near and dear family friend who has shared many bottles with us – it consistently delivers a crowd-pleasing glass. I also love the creativity and breadth that has stemmed from the Brown Brothers legacy in northeastern Victoria. I love the idea that one day our family’s legacy may also be of the land. I’ll charge a glass of Patricia to that!” Emily Kinsman, ECK Wines
2019 The Wine Farm Petillant Naturel
“Take your preconceptions about all pét-nats being funky, yeasty, fruit-bombs and throw them out the window. Neil and Anna Hawkins’ example is more reminiscent of the cleaner and detailed French styles that made me fall in love with the category in the first place.” Josh Begbie, Brico