Sparkling wines called Blanc de Noir are almost always made from traditional Champagne varieties: pinot noir, or occasionally pinot meunier.
But a new release from Best's Great Western is a bubbly Blanc de Noir made, quite unusually, from shiraz grapes.
Fifth-generation winemaker Ben Thomson has chosen innovation to conquer adversity, using his excess shiraz to create the Blanc de Noir Cuvée, as well as a still Syrah Blanc.
The 2024 Blanc de Noir is made from 100% shiraz grapes in response to the challenges of recent vintages.
Thomson saw an opportunity to create something new out of the exceptional fruit from his Sugarloaf Creek vineyard - and the wine has been released ahead of the festive season.
“Making the most of adversity is something winemakers need to do to survive,” says Thomson.
“We’re raising a glass to the triumph of the Blanc de Noir project. It takes a little while to get your head around the fact that these bubbly beads of delight are made from shiraz grapes.
"Once you get over that, you will discover brilliant clarity with apple, pear, lemon and lime characters dancing away on the palate.”
The fruit is early picked to ensure bright acid. I found the wine quite yeasty on the nose but delicate on the palate - definitely a style suited to enjoying with food.
See https://www.bestswines.com/product/2024-blanc-de-noir. The wines available at fine wine outlets for $30.
But a new release from Best's Great Western is a bubbly Blanc de Noir made, quite unusually, from shiraz grapes.
Fifth-generation winemaker Ben Thomson has chosen innovation to conquer adversity, using his excess shiraz to create the Blanc de Noir Cuvée, as well as a still Syrah Blanc.
The 2024 Blanc de Noir is made from 100% shiraz grapes in response to the challenges of recent vintages.
Thomson saw an opportunity to create something new out of the exceptional fruit from his Sugarloaf Creek vineyard - and the wine has been released ahead of the festive season.
“Making the most of adversity is something winemakers need to do to survive,” says Thomson.
“We’re raising a glass to the triumph of the Blanc de Noir project. It takes a little while to get your head around the fact that these bubbly beads of delight are made from shiraz grapes.
"Once you get over that, you will discover brilliant clarity with apple, pear, lemon and lime characters dancing away on the palate.”
The fruit is early picked to ensure bright acid. I found the wine quite yeasty on the nose but delicate on the palate - definitely a style suited to enjoying with food.
See https://www.bestswines.com/product/2024-blanc-de-noir. The wines available at fine wine outlets for $30.
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