Australia has made Sparkling Red a specialty all its own. South Australia is the leading light for most of these.

Dorrien Estate, Sparkling Cuvée, Shiraz, South Australia, NV

Big blocky plum aromas with hints of just warmed Christmas cake spice. Light vanilla/cola and mulberry, ganache, red jube and even a touch of spearmint lolly. The full bodied palate offers good amounts of spice under the cheeky signature fruit. There’s a blood orange acidity the drives through a moderately coarse yet acceptable mousse. Usually a staple for Christmas or breakfast cook ups, it works just as well for spicy foods when chilled: the cold and carbonation enough to match heat. Indulgently old school. Will age a little and offer some complexity.

RRP: $19.50
Alc: 13.5%
Rating: 17/20

Wine sample courtesy of Cellarmasters.