LET'S GET FIZZICAL
Since we opened Cellar Door in early January 2020, the single most popular thing we’ve offered is this ‘flight’ of bubbles.
In the wine world, the term ‘flight’ means a set of wines to be tried together. At Cellar Door, each flight is a taste of four different wines, adding up to just over one glass. We have curated almost two dozen different flights, each demonstrating a theme – winemaking style, grape variety, region.
Our ‘Let’s Get Fizzical’ flight ($16.50) explores four sparkling wines produced in three different countries to show very different styles.
We start with Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir 2019 from the cooler – for Australia – region of Adelaide Hills. The fruit is harvested at night-time to protect the freshness of the fruit, and there is a very short ‘soak’ on the skins to collect the light blush pink colour. It’s fresh and delicate, and quite delightful.
Second is a centuries-old style, with local legend Greystone’s organic Pétillant Naturel. Made by bottling while fermentation is still going on, Greystone honours the tradition of natural winemaking with no additions, filtration or preservatives, and it’s a very expressive and full-flavoured wine.
A slightly more traditional wine follows; Bernard Fouquet’s Aubuisieres Vouvray Brut NV from the Loire Valley in France is made the same way as Champagne, except with their indigenous grape Chenin Blanc. The style is delicate and clean with structured acidity and a very elegant finish.
Our finale is Nautilus Estate’s Brut NV from Marlborough. Faithfully following the Champagne method, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are blended before being aged for over three years on lees in the bottle to give rich, toasty and biscuity characters. This is our pick for Christmas Day and for the days before and after!