Winemaker Notes
A deep mauve in color with a crimson hue. The nose is complex and earthy: rich leather, prunes, caramelized dates, coffee, black currant, meaty, wine gums and some toasty brown spice. These aromas are supported on the palate by red berries, plums and chocolate. The ripe fruits and chocolate mingle on the creamy palate. Saucy, savory characters add to the complexity with balanced tannins and sweetness to help round off the finish.
Best served icy cold in a flute glass. This versatile wine can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with a wide variety of dishes like: bacon & eggs for breakfast; turkey with cranberry sauce at lunch; a medium spiced curry for dinner. Then a chocolate fondue or a cheese platter for desert.
Blend: 85% Shiraz, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Made in a handful of wine regions across the globe, red sparkling wine ranges from delicately sweet to bone dry. While styles vary by region, red sparkling wine production methods are often the decision of the winemaker. For serving, cool red sparkling wine down to about 40F to 50F.
Quite the powerhouse region thanks to its proximity to the Murray River (and thus irrigation potential), Riverland produces over half of South Australia’s total annual harvest. While its warm Mediterranean climate promotes large volume production, many smaller, premium producers abound. Australia’s usual suspects—Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet—do great but a continuing local push for heat-loving Italian varieties like Vermentino and Nero d’Avola promises future diversity.