FIZZ AND POP

Summertime wines are all about texture; from classics that use skin contact to build mouth feel and complexity, to chilled reds bursting with juicy red fruit and crunchy acidity. Of course, no summer drinks list is complete without the snap, crackle and pop of a sparkling wine – and there’s never been a more exciting time to explore the flavours of low and no-alcohol beer, spirits and wine, as well as this summer’s hottest trend: seltzer.

1 2017 Best’s Great Western Sparkling Shiraz, Grampians, Vic, $35

No Christmas table in Australia is complete without a sparkling shiraz. While it may go in and out of fashion over the decades, you can rely on Best’s to consistently deliver a version that is both approachable and delicious. bestwines.com

2 2019 Dal Zotto Col Fondo Prosecco, King Valley, Vic, $30

Think of this as the love child of a pet nat and a prosecco, from the family who planted Australia’s first prosecco grapes in 1999. The Dal Zotto family live and breathe all things prosecco and this traditionally made version is cloudy and moreish. dalzotto.com.au

3 2009 House of Arras Blanc de Blancs, Tas, $120

Arras has long been synonymous with exceptional sparkling wine, not just here in Australia but globally. A traditional wine to pair with oysters, or if you’re feeling particularly decadent, try baked camembert with fresh honeycomb. houseofarras.com.au

4 2020 Ngeringa Pétillant Naturel, Adelaide Hills, SA, $33

Overall, 2020 produced some outstanding fruit – but not without its challenges. Made with biodynamically farmed pink semillon and viognier, this pet nat’s cumquat, floral musk and grapefruit pith aromatics would be a welcome addition to any backyard drinks. ngeringa.com

5 NV André Clouet Grande Réserve, Champagne, France, $85

This exceptional value Champagne is made with 100 per cent pinot noir grapes. The appeal of blanc de noirs is the expressiveness of the style; red cherry meets stone fruits with just a hint of toasty brioche. Perfect for a long lunch paired with swimmer crab and saffron angel hair pasta. princewinestore.com.au