This summer though, the allure of bubbles has well and truly captured me, either shared with friends or simply at home with family.
A trio of pairs today, led by a new company combining great ingredients and cool packaging: canned bubbly — great for a picnic — or a glass with your loved one.
Two fresh, vibrant Pet-Nats follow, while two classic methode traditionelle styles showcase their charms. Something for everyone.
NV The Uncommon Wine of NZ Sauvignon Blanc Bubbly 250 ml can
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Fresh & fruity nose,
hints of grass and
gooseberry, snowpea.
Fruit sweetness, a hint
of wine gums,
underlying grassy
notes, evolving to
tropical fruit notes
(pineapple) with time.
A tingly quality and a
tangy touch that neatly
counters the
sweetness. Playful and
very nicely done as
there’s some good
ingredient here.
Uncommonly good…
NV The Uncommon Wine of NZ Sauvignon Pinot Noir Rose Bubbly 250 ml can
Rating Very Good to Excellent
A deeper register to
this, red berries,
florality, strawberry.
Mixed berries and
cream on the palate,
a touch drier than its
Sav Blanc sibling,
and nicely balanced.
Fresh, effervescent,
and a chewy hint to
keep it interesting. A
touch more serious
but still fun drinking.
Nice concept, cool
packaging, excellent
visual & flavour
appeal.
2022 Hunters Offshoot Pet-Nat
Rating Excellent
Attractively vibrant
nose, hints of musk,
a wisp of funk,
grassy notes, lovely
freshness too.
Fresh, vibrant,
grassy, gooseberry,
bready elements,
the Sav Blanc
becoming more
evident on nose and
palate. Fruit
sweetness yet dry.
Tangy, zesty, crisp,
wears its heart on its
sleeve. Would be
delicious alfresco on
a summer’s day.
2021 Judge Rock Guilty Pet-Nat
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Pale orangey-peach
hue. Yeasty nose,
marmitey tang, white
flowers, summer
fruits. Fresh, bright, a
fruit jube-like sweet
note leads the way
evolving to a tangy
‘sour worms’-like
quality that brings a
lovely vibrancy. Adds
an almondy nuttiness
to the close. Cloudy
with the natural
yeast. Effervescent,
pleasure in a glass
that demands
another sip.
NV Hunters Miru Miru
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Subtle nose at first,
quietly expressive,
opening up nicely to
bready elements,
peach fuzz & citrus.
Carries those
qualities on to the
palate, the citrusy
element grows with
aeration as the
palate builds in
flavour intensity and
length. Wonderfully
fresh. A bright line of
acidity would make
a nice foil for the
oiliness in smoked
salmon.
2017 Quartz Reef Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionelle
Rating Excellent
Fragrant lift, warm
baguette, oatmeal,
biscuity moving to
lemon and a tangy
nuance. Racy, crisp,
drive and energy with
an almondy
bittersweet touch on
the close. Among a
flight of kiwi methode
I have to re-calibrate
my palate: drier and
tauter, not as
immediately
accessible, but
shone with food
later.
