Wine Review: Chandon's charming, late disgorged sparkling

So much so, that this year, as you stride confidently towards summer and the rigours of Festivus, I would like to float the following idea past you, this year, only drink Australian sparkling wine.

I have some friends in Italy, the lovely Tucci family from Lake Como, who insist that you always must have a bottle of Champagne in the fridge because you just never know when you are going to need a pick-me-up or have friend pop in unexpectedly. Sage advice and I suggest you follow suit with an Australian wine.

One Australian sparkling that impressed recently is a new release from Yarra Valley-based Chandon; their 2006 Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs with fruit sourced from the Yarra, Strathbogie Ranges and the Whitlands Plateau in Victoria.

Pale straw in the glass with an energetic and fine bead, the wine displays all the complexity and finesse you would expect from its extended time of 10 years on yeast lees. Apple and citrus fruits with hints of spice pear, grilled nuts, fig, nougat and lighter tones of dried honey and brioche.

Fresh, elegant and complex it really is wonderful drinking and it is a great addition to the Chandon stable of wines under the stewardship of winemaker, Dan Buckle. Great stuff.

CHANDON 2006 Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs

chandon.com.au