OK, so.... I have previously blogged about champagne - that decadent European tipple... today I am going to point you in the direction of my favourite non-French bubble...
The fact that this wee beauty happens to be conceived and delivered in the same country as me, is, of course, merely a coincidence.
The bubbles in question come from the Cloudy Bay vineyard in New Zealand's Marlborough region (that's in the South Island for you non-sheep-botherers). Cloudy Bay wines are rightly famous for their still wines, including sensational pinot noirs and divine chardonnays. However, they also make an exquisite sparkling wine, which they have named 'Pelorus.'
'Pelorus Jack' was a famous dolphin who, for more than 20 years around the turn of last century, met the steamers crossing between the two main islands of New Zealand and escorted them through the Marlborough Sounds. His descendants abound in the waters of Cloudy Bay and their image has become the symbol of Pelorus.
Pelorus is available in both vintage and non-vintage (with the NV being cheaper, by about five bucks)... Both are delicious, but below are the tasting notes for both, to help you make an informed decision ...
Pelorus NV (RRP $33AUD): a fresh, aperitif-style sparkling wine with apple-crisp flavours, underpinned by nutty yeast complexity derived from two years bottle maturation on lees.
Pelorus Vintage 2004 (RRP $40AUD): Like memories of a late summer picnic, Pelorus Vintage 2004 has enticing aromas of ripe red apples, quince jam and rosehips. The wine has a fine, elegant structure that bursts with flavour ... freshly baked lemon biscotti with a nougat nuttiness and creamy minerality ... leading seamlessly into a long, crisp finish.
The NV is currently available for $24.90 from my local, and at this price, you'd be mad to not grab a couple of bottles. I believe it is by far the best bubble in its price range (outside of the Champagne region.) And, trust me, I am not biased. Baa!
Grab some, get it chilled, and get amongst it peoples!
Yours in Plonk,
The Plonker
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