If you’re anything like the Wine Wankers – you choose to step up your game at Christmas time. In fact, my pet hate are relatives who skimp on wine. And when it comes to bubbles, that means the good stuff. Ah yes, the good stuff, what does that actually mean? Sparkling wine falls into three distinct categories on Christmas day as far as I’m concerned. For the toast, you’ll need the really good stuff. And by that, I mean French Champagne. My preferred staples from years of tasting are Charles Heidsieck, Veuve Clicquot or Lanson. And if you really want to impress, Perrier-Jouët, Billecart-Salmon and Bollinger.
Drink French all day if you can afford it, but if you’re like most, you’ll be looking for a quality Australian or New Zealand sparkling wine to supplement. Look no further than Chandon or Jansz, which are often on special. But what happens when your 20 nearest and dearest friends drop by in the afternoon? Don’t panic; simply serve them a great budget sparkling wine such as Jacobs Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir or Hardys Nottage Hill Pinot Chardonnay Cuvee Brut.
You’ll also notice I don’t call everything Champagne. That’s because only wines that herald from a small region north east of Paris in France can claim that title. Everything else is called sparkling wine, unless of course you prefer to call it fizz, bubbles or even shampoo! For the advanced Wine Wankers, the following might be stating the obvious. But in the interest of educating all our followers, this information will help you choose perfectly next time you’re at your local bottleshop. Quality Australia sparkling wine is modelled after real Champagne; so look out for the term ‘Methode Traditionelle’ written on the label. The bottle should also tell you it’s made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and the grapes were grown in a cool region. This cool climate gives the wine a more ‘refined’ flavour. Pinot Meunier is also occasionally used. Pinot Noir dominant wines (Blanc de Noir) are fuller in flavour, with characters of berry fruits; these are perfect when paired with food. Chardonnay dominant wines (Blanc de Blanc) are fresh and bright with citrus elements; great on their own as an aperitif. A blend of the two means you get the best of both worlds; simple!
‘Methode Traditionelle’ or ‘fermented in this bottle’ also means the wine has been matured on its dead yeast cells (called yeast lees). This winemaking process imparts a lovely toasty/creamy character to the wine. Don’t worry however, the winemaker removes the dead yeast cells just before they sell the wine. Look for the term, ‘matured on yeast lees for xx months’. Noticeable biscuit characters will be more pronounced after 18 month’s maturation. Plus, the bubbles will be tinier and longer lasting! Finally, vintage wines are said to be better than non vintage (NV) wines. That’s because vintage wines are only produced in the very best years. NV wines are a blend of several ‘average to good’ years and are blended to produce a balanced ‘house’ style.
With the buying out of the way; it’s now time to serve your precious cargo. It’s Christmas day, so step up to the plate and do it properly, for your mum’s sake! Chill non-vintage wines to 5°C. A slightly warmer temperature (around 8°C) for vintage wines will heighten the complex aromas and flavours. The secret to opening a bottle of sparkling wine is to actually try and stop the cork from coming out! Aim for a gentle sigh. Also, try to leave the foil that sits around the neck of the wine bottle intact. When you’re drinking expensive fizz, that’s what you’ll see sticking out from the top of the ice bucket (promotion is everything)! Serve sparkling wine in long stemmed, ‘tulip’ shaped flutes. The flute’s shape allows the bubbles to form properly while also helping preserve them for longer. Also remember to hold the glass by the stem otherwise the heat from your fingers will warm up the wine. ‘Charge’ everybody’s glass by first pouring a small amount of wine into each glass. Now wait for this to settle before filling everybody’s glass to about two-thirds to three-quarters full.
The Wine Wankers 
Reblogged this on kelcipher.
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Great advice for the oft-misunderstood Champagne/sparkling wine. Opening a bottle of sparkling became one of my favorite things to do – once I learned how to do it properly! Cheers!
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Practice makes perfect! 🙂
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I’ve never been a big fan of the sparkling wines, but they are a must for the holidays. Great post.
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Thanks Timothy!
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Champagne is such a treat but we have it more often than once a year for New Years. Nice article, very informative
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Thanks Tina!
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Just picked up some Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge NV for Christmas morning!
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I love Mumm too – shouldve included it in the article!
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Shhh. Let’s keep that one a secret!
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views on Prosecco? It’s everywhere I go this year. Not that I’m complaining!
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I love Prosecco – especially when drinking Aperol!
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I think most Aussie sparkling wines are made by transfer method which is not neceserally a bad thing (good wines, more affordable). But there’s obviously very good Methode Traditionelle as well. Some very decent bubbles coming out of New Zealand too. The ‘cool climate’ effect, good for Chard and Pinot. Cheers all & Merry Christmas 🙂
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Correction – I’d say most cheap Aussie sparkling wines under $10 are made by transfer method! Most stuff over that price point is bottle maturated, to a degree. Always check the labels for clues! Thanks for your input Julien!
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Really? I thought transfer was more common in the $10-$20 bracket with simple carbonation for the cheaper stuff.
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Veuve clicquot is my all time fave! Cheers
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it’s a great staple – Moet regular is crap!
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I appreciated reading this post about champagne! I hope you will all have a marvelous holiday season, merriest of moments: especially toasting the New Year’s in! Hugs, Robin
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thanks Robin – that’s so sweet of you! Hi from Neal and Conrad as well!
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I will be indulging in some sparkling shiraz from Seppelts and some biodynamic bubbles, Blanc de Blanc from Krinklewood Biodynamic vineyard. Cheers!
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Good stuff. For local affordable sparkling I just cannot go past House of Arras. Their Brut Elite for around $35 is an absolute gem and I have a bottle of their 2004 Blanc de Blanc ready for just the appreciative sippers (after trying it an an industry tasting thing).
When I work in wine retail this time of year I find myself asking people if they want Champagne champagne or sparkling so frequently. Most people still use the words interchangeably.
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Good on you Nicole – Arras is very good – didnt realise it was that cheap!
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Curious to know how you think the lesser known Champagne brands like Aubert and Louis Auger compare to the better local sparklings like Chandon & Janz, they’re often in the same price bracket, $25-35, at Dan’s.
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Hey Ian – Ive never tasted these Champagnes – are they exclusive to Dan Murphys or Liquorland or something like that? They get good value obscure Champs in all the time. Im all for experimenting with these lesser known wines. Dan Murphys imports the best range that Ive seen and tasted!
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I don’t like Champagne…tried it all. Stood there with a glass in my hand pretending…when I was younger and insecure. Now I tell them..sorry, I am a red wine Lady :-). Loved the post. thank you and cheers to a Merry Christmas 🙂
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Ahhhh tiny bubbles… in the wine… etc. etc. Not sure if I can find any of those lovely bubblies in Mexico. But who knows am off to some wineries just north of Ensanada. Merry Xmas.
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I should have read this before I went shopping today. However I did get a bottle of Veuve Clicquot (my favourite) and a few cheaper bottles of one you don’t mention Oyster Bay sparkling sav blanc. I haven’t tried it before but like the non-sparkling so hope it’s okay. I do realise your article is about champagne and the Australian wines in the same tradition though. I’ll have to check out this post before future purchases. Thanks for the information. Have a merry Christmas! :0
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I used to work at Mumm Napa Valley and one of the gentleman who trained me said it should sound like a nun passing gas during mass when opening a bottle 🙂
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This blog will be way out of my league as I have no skill at choosing wine, sparkling or otherwise. I’ll enjoy reading though. I like to learn.
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Our (only) choice, Dubois Brut, Hecho in Mexico! Happy Holidays Wine Wankers thought you might enjoy this 🙂 http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2012/07/shaken-stirred-or-marinated
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Although light, Prosecco is a can’t miss for me. Best of holiday wishes to all the Wine Wankers.
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Great post – really interesting and taken away some top tips… Mainly “champers is best served by someone else!” Haha thanks and happy Xmas xx
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Reblogged this on That Girl's Got An Appetite and commented:
Couldn’t have said it better myself.. So therefore I won’t.. Here’s over to the Wine Wankers for some top tips on champers this Xmas xx
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Wonderful article. I guess I am a bit of a snob, so I will have to try some of the sparkling wines this year. I only love two champagnes Veuve Clicquot and Bollinger, these I will drink without turning my drink into a Kir Royale.
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Thanks for your tips on “sparklers”
I have yet to try one from Australia or New Zealand and now can’t wait to!
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Looooove – we have so much in common – specifically our staples of Champagne! Great post. Happy 2015 – what will you be drinking NYE?
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I love sparkling wines and champagnes….for cooking!
Reducing 1/2 bottle with butter, garlic and chilies before tossing with pasta greatly improves the flavor of the sparkling wine or champagne!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
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Hi Conrad. I like the different ways of dispensing the champagne. Espcially the water type dispenser. Now that would be interesting to see. Thank you very much for liking my poem ‘Police!’ Take Care. The Foureyed Poet.
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Good article, Drew. It would be great if you would also introduce your readers to “grower champagne” – the 3,500 small producers who make their champagne as a labor of love. Definitely worth searching for, as it can offer a wider range of tastes, partly due to the various “terroirs” of the Champagne region. Maybe for next year?
If you’re interested in more detailed info on Champagne from an American living there, please visit my blog about my French wine and food adventures.
I love Aussie and NZ wines, too, but they’re pretty hard to find in France, outside of Paris.
Keep up the good work!
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