Sparkling choice: Howard Vineyard Adelaide Hills, Roche Lacour de Limoux Rose and Il Papavero Prosecco

Saying non to Champagne at Christmas doesn’t mean a festive season without bubbles with the sparkling beauties on offer in this deal.

A tri-nations offering to make the festive season sparkle.

Should we ban champagne from our fridges this summer as payback to the French for insulting the Prime Minister over our submarine U-turn?

Sky News Australia’s wine editor Des Houghton called for a boycott last month and, I must admit, readers of this column sometimes give me a hard time when I promote the virtues of wine from somewhere else.

But when it comes to wine, I just can’t help myself – I want to discover all there is. A pinot from Burgundy? You bet, count me in. A riesling from Mosel; a chardonnay from California; a garnacha from Spain? Yes, yes, and twice on Sundays!

If we don’t try what’s out there, how do we compare and contrast our own wines anyway? And just remember, most of our own winemakers rely on selling wine internationally to keep their doors open. We don’t want to follow China’s example and make wine a political pawn.

So for Christmas this year, The Australian Wine Club offers you the world: a tri-nations sparkling offer combining the joys of Italian prosecco, French bubbles and a cracking Adelaide Hills pinot noir and chardonnay blend. Be an internationalist and try all three – or back in the local champion. The choice is yours, as it should be. (And if it is champagne that floats your submarine, we’ve got you covered too – see below.)

Our Australian sparkling flagwaver certainly loses nothing in comparison to the French and Italian drops. From their Adelaide Hills base, the Howard Vineyard team have won the acclaim of wine critics over the past 15 years, drawing from family-owned vineyards in Mt Barker and Lobethal to build a five-star reputation.

Head winemaker Tom Northcott admits to being a sparkling wine fanatic. “I just love the stuff – in fact I think my wife married me for sparkling,’’ he jokes.

Tom spent time learning from one of the legends of Australian sparkling, Ed Carr, doing vintages with House of Arras at Bay of Fires in Tasmania. He is also an admirer of Brian Croser, whose foresight and prowess put Adelaide Hills sparkling on a pedestal.

“Aussie sparking is massively on the rise,’’ Tom says. “I have a lot of friends making sparkling and it’s a common story: none of us can produce enough to keep up with our customers.”

On the vexed issue of local versus international wines, Tom sees both sides of the debate.

“As a producer, I love drinking local and when I travel to places like France, there’s a beauty to finding wines only available in that particular area. But as a maturing nation of wine drinkers, it’s important we look outside our country as well.”

So, let your glass bubble over. Our three sparkling beauties are all wonderful examples of their style, available at terrific prices.

Howard Vineyard Adelaide Hills Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay 2021

The pretty blush hints at the bright raspberry and cherry flavours from the pinot, with nuances of rhubarb, pears and apple. The crunchy upfront fruit is supported by refreshing natural acid, leading to a dry citrus burst on the finish. From the brilliant 2021 vintage, this is crisp and light, but offers layers of flavours expected in high-priced sparklings. A classy aperitif, in anyone’s language. 12.5% alc. RRP $30 a bottle.

SPECIALS $21.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen or $19.99 a bottle in sparkling deal.

Roche Lacour de Limoux Rose 2019

From Limoux, in Languedoc-Roussillon, this is French fizz at an unbelievable price. Summer berries and white-blossom characters drive the taste profile of this elegant sparkler. You’ll find a fine persistent bead to the blend of chardonnay, chenin blanc and pinot noir. Was aged 12 months in bottle before release, leaving a fine texture. 12.5% alc. RRP $34.99. SPECIALS $23.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen or $19.99 a bottle in sparkling deal.

Il Papavero Prosecco NV

 

If you’re part of the Aussie stampede towards northern Italy’s Prosecco, you’d better run fast. This is classic Prosecco from the hands of locally born legend Scipione Giuliani. Dried apples and pears, with hints of frangipane, frame this crisp, fruit-driven style. Perfect for a party. Great value. 11% alc. RRP $25 a bottle. SPECIALS $14.99 a bottle in any mixed dozen or $19.99 a bottle in sparkling deal.

SPARKLING DOZEN DEAL Four bottles of each wine at $19.99 a bottle.

BONUS OFFER Chopin Brut Champagne NV

A full-bodied Champagne of serious quality from family growers in the Marne Valley, Didier and Karine Chopin. Ripe stone fruit, toasty brioche and floral aromas rise from this rich blend of pinot noir and pinot meuniere. Full of complexity after five years on lees. You’ll be rewarded by backing the boutique. 12% alc. RRP $80. SPECIAL $54.99 in any mixed dozen

Order online or telephone [phone] Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm AEST. Deals only available while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine People.