Hey Bartender

Australia is, by far, the best producer of sparkling red wines. Their offerings are high quality red wines that are made using the same techniques that are used to produce those fine French Champagnes that most are familiar with. That means that they are fermented in the bottle, aged on lees, and then allowed to develop in the bottle. The most notable difference is that instead of using Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, the Aussies use quality Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes.

You're probably wondering what these wines are like. The good news is that they are beautiful and delicious. When poured into a glass, they range in color from a vivid violet to an enchanting purplish red with a magnificently frothy cap. The nose hints of such delights as blackberries, black currants, cherries, strawberries, chocolate and oak. The palate is dry yet sweet with strong fruit, some acid and tannins. Flavors that are prevalent are berries, cherries, and spice.

Like their white and pink cousins, sparkling red wines are served slightly chilled. This makes them an excellent addition to your summer drinking portfolio. They pair well with all sorts of foods, so they are a perfect match for all the fun foods served at family cookouts. Grilled meats, duck, goose, chocolate cake, and heavy cream cheeses are all complimented by theses great wines. In Australia, sparkling shiraz is enjoyed with Christmas dinner where, among other things, lamb and kangaroo are on the menu. I've enjoyed a few slices of pizza with sparkling shiraz and I can say, with authority, that it was an amazing combination.

Italy also produces a sparkling red wine called Birbet. Rumor has it that the name Birbet was introduced when the Italian law that regulates the production of Brachetto Piemonte excluded Roero, a geographic area in the north-east corner of the province of Cuneo in Piedmont, as a growing area because the vines differed from those known as Brachetto d'Acqui. The good news is that the micro-climate found in the Roero is perfect for the production of top quality wines and Birbet tops the list.

Birbet is made from 100% Brachetto del Roero grapes which are crushed before undergoing a cold maceration on the skins. This process allows as much color and as many aromas as possible to be extracted from the grapes without alcoholic fermentation taking place. The solids are then separated out before the juice is subjected to a cold storage period and subsequent fermentation. The finished product is filtered before bottling and weighs in at about 6% alcohol. The color is a pale ruby-red with an intense aromatic bouquet that hints of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and roses. These wines are generally smooth, soft and very well balanced. Primarily served as a dessert wine, Birbet pairs well with fruit and fruit-based dishes.

If you're interested in wines made a little closer to home, California wine producer Chandon has an offering that is worth checking out. Chandon Sparkling Red is a made from Pinot Noir and Zinfandel grapes. Unlike most sparkling wines, this particular wine begins as Pinot Noir and Zinfandel still wines that have been fermented on the skins. This allows the finished product to have all the flavor and body of still wines. Next, the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle to give it the effervescent characteristics of sparkling wine. The finished product possesses rich, concentrated flavors such as cranberry, black cherry, juniper and nutmeg. It pairs well with duck, turkey, and glazed ham, but I enjoy it with a nice warm bag of microwave popcorn.

So, there you have it, sparkling red wines -- uncorked! There are so many options in the world of wine that it's impossible to keep up. Hopefully, these posts will help you sift through the mountains of labels and varietals so that you can find what you're looking for. Sparkling red wines aren't well known to most, but they are definitely worth trying. They pair well with many types of foods and are a refreshing change of pace for those stuck in a rut. As always, whether sampling sparkling red wines alone or with friends, please do so responsibly. Until next time...prosit!!!