Ed Carr has been making wine for 43 years - but he's never encountered a vintage like 2020.
While the House of Arras vines in Tasmania were ready to be picked, Carr was stuck across the water in South Australia due to Covid-19 lockdowns
It took some nifty work by Penny Jones and the team at Bay of Fires winery - a sister operation to the House of Arras - to ensure the vintage went without a hitch.
"It was a totally bizarre time," Carr says. "We were comfortable with the quality of the fruit, but I was doing a lot of work by remote control. There was no other option."
This week, Carr has something to celebrate in 2020 with House of Arras celebrating the release of its annual vintage collection of world-class sparkling wines on on Thursday - September 3.
The portfolio includes four new vintages; House of Arras Rosé 2008, House of Arras Grand Vintage 2009, House of Arras Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2004 and House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged Magnum 2004.
In addition, House of Arras is unveiling the first new wine to its portfolio in over six years – House of Arras Blanc de Blancs NV (below).
Having had a sneak peek and a Zoom tasting with Ed, I'm pleased to be able to report it is a ripper.
“It has been a long-term aim to create a NV Blanc de Blancs that complements the House of Arras range and offer an alternative style to the existing multi-vintage labels which predominantly exhibit the red grape characters of pinot noir and pinot meunier," Carr said.
"This new release is a full expression of the elegance and sophistication of Tasmanian chardonnay meticulously crafted in the House of Arras style.”
The blend is 90% chardonnay, 9% pinot noir and 1% pinot meunier with fruit sourced from Pipers River, the Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, East Coast and Tamar Valley.
My notes say it is steely and quite intense; an accessible style with grapefruit and lemon notes; nicely balanced after 30 months on lees.
With an RRP of just $35, it is well worth seeking out a bottle or two for your next celebration. It is available at Vintage Cellars and selected on-premise venues nationally
# House of Arras was born in 1995 as a project to create an Australian sparkling wine on parity with the world’s finest Champagnes and sparkling wines. Now, 25 years later, House of Arras holds the title of Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine brand. See www.houseofarras.com.au.
While the House of Arras vines in Tasmania were ready to be picked, Carr was stuck across the water in South Australia due to Covid-19 lockdowns
It took some nifty work by Penny Jones and the team at Bay of Fires winery - a sister operation to the House of Arras - to ensure the vintage went without a hitch.
"It was a totally bizarre time," Carr says. "We were comfortable with the quality of the fruit, but I was doing a lot of work by remote control. There was no other option."
This week, Carr has something to celebrate in 2020 with House of Arras celebrating the release of its annual vintage collection of world-class sparkling wines on on Thursday - September 3.
The portfolio includes four new vintages; House of Arras Rosé 2008, House of Arras Grand Vintage 2009, House of Arras Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2004 and House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged Magnum 2004.
In addition, House of Arras is unveiling the first new wine to its portfolio in over six years – House of Arras Blanc de Blancs NV (below).
Having had a sneak peek and a Zoom tasting with Ed, I'm pleased to be able to report it is a ripper.
“It has been a long-term aim to create a NV Blanc de Blancs that complements the House of Arras range and offer an alternative style to the existing multi-vintage labels which predominantly exhibit the red grape characters of pinot noir and pinot meunier," Carr said.
"This new release is a full expression of the elegance and sophistication of Tasmanian chardonnay meticulously crafted in the House of Arras style.”
The blend is 90% chardonnay, 9% pinot noir and 1% pinot meunier with fruit sourced from Pipers River, the Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley, East Coast and Tamar Valley.
My notes say it is steely and quite intense; an accessible style with grapefruit and lemon notes; nicely balanced after 30 months on lees.
With an RRP of just $35, it is well worth seeking out a bottle or two for your next celebration. It is available at Vintage Cellars and selected on-premise venues nationally
# House of Arras was born in 1995 as a project to create an Australian sparkling wine on parity with the world’s finest Champagnes and sparkling wines. Now, 25 years later, House of Arras holds the title of Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine brand. See www.houseofarras.com.au.
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