Cheapish sparkling white/rose recommendations

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:07 pm

I'm hosting a gathering at my place shortly and want to provide a sparkling white and sparkling rose for guests. Around the $15 mark would be good. The guests are mostly pretty uncomplicated drinkers, so I am walking the line between getting something flavourful with mass appeal while also not serving up wine that I consider poor quality. Mostly because doing so annoys me

I was thinking the Jansz for the rose (although it's proving surprisingly tough to find - my backup idea is Yarra Burn). Not too sure about the white. Would appreciate suggestions.

griff · Post by **griff** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:10 pm

Tigress for the Rose. Punches way above its weight.

White I would go with the Stephen John.

cheers

Carl

Jules · Post by **Jules** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 10:11 pm

For sparkling you can't go past the Caves de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne,which Vintage Cellars are doing at $16.99 for a single bottle (so take off 10% if you buy 12 bottles).

It is sublime for the money, and given a little time to breathe it is in the same market as a few entry level Champagne's four times the price.

I would also try for French rose. If you can find some from the Costiere de Nimes (try Dan's) you will get some wines that for my money Australian producers are aspiring to, but although close aren't quite there. A red wine drinking experience for a hot climate, or dryness with just enough fruit to carry it.

Dave Dewhurst · Post by **Dave Dewhurst** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:15 pm

Couple of sparkling Saumur's such as Veuve Amiot and Gratien & Meyer. Good value, around $10-15. Way better than Aussie sparklies at that price.

Cheers

Dave

Waiters Friend · Post by **Waiters Friend** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:31 pm

Go the Yarra Burn! Both white and rose are more than drinkable for the price.

Even better, Taltarni if you can get it on special - the Brut Tache` ('stained' or salmon colour) is a good one.

Cheers

Allan

Daryl Douglas · Post by **Daryl Douglas** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 12:54 am

Are Seaview chard and pinot/chard bubbles still available? Not roses but thought they were ok in the past.

Allan stole my thunder! Taltarni Brut is pretty good but I've not tried the rose. Yarra Burn pinot chard too.

pokolbinguy · Post by **pokolbinguy** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:54 am

if your looking for inexpensive non-offensive options check out:

- McWilliams Hanwood Pinot Chard Brut (RRP $12.50....should be around 9.99 if you look)

- Henkel Trocken (around $15-$18 in retail land i think)

These two wines are nothing thats going to blow your mind...but not your pocket either.

Yes a little bias here as we sell these at work but other than that I am not familar with alot of inexpensive bubbles so just letting you know what I know. (if you need to source it send me a message and I can help out)

Maybe go and buy a few of each mentioned by those on here and see what you think. Then put the rest of the money where you think it is best placed.

I would be intrigued to try the inexpensive frog bubbles

Cheers.

Rednick · Post by **Rednick** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:17 am

I'll third the Taltarni Brut Tache , tends to be in the low $20s, also the Jansz Rose is very good as well, around the same price.

Cheers

Nick

Attila · Post by **Attila** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:05 pm

griff wrote:White I would go with the Stephen John.

cheers

Carl

I hope you are not referring to the SJ Blanc De Blanc because I've tried it last week and it was terrifying. Aspirin dissolved in mineral water.

Cheers,
Attila

griff · Post by **griff** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:30 pm

Attila wrote:
griff wrote:White I would go with the Stephen John.

cheers

Carl

I hope you are not referring to the SJ Blanc De Blanc because I've tried it last week and it was terrifying. Aspirin dissolved in mineral water.

Cheers,
Attila

Oh Dear! Was fantastic about two years ago. Had a couple of bottles and both were super for the price. What a shame :cry:

In that case I would recommend Dan's Veuve Amiot as my backup for the white. Tried the Caves de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne last week and while very good juice for the price the bubbles were coarse and for some reason would come and go. Glass on opening vigorous, second glass completely flat and then the final glass with some pressure again. All from the same stem!

cheers

Carl

roughred · Post by **roughred** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:00 pm

Our 'house' sparkling is Veuve Amiot, a nice little Loire sparkler. Crisp and flavoursome with just a little funk for interests sake.

Too many Aussie drops at this pricepoint are either baggy and stale, or so neutral to taste you may as well be drinking mineral water.

Attila · Post by **Attila** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:41 pm

griff wrote:
In that case I would recommend Dan's Veuve Amiot as my backup for the white. cheers

Carl

Agreed, the Veuve Amiot is just lovely. Better than Grandin with real charm and character.

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:22 pm

FWIW...

* Sir James Hardy NV Brut de Brut at $12 (24 months on lees), and
* NV Brown Brothers at $17 - their latest batch is quite amazing for me.
... buy a few of both and it averages at $15.

Haven't had a good sparkling rose for a while. The Taltarni was good a few vintages ago but was too sweet for me lately, although I saw today the new 2007 in shops today.

Agree with Attila on the Stephen John.

Tigress sounds good based on the other wines I have tried.

Don't rate the Yarra Burn rose, but like the white.

Adair

Adair · Post by **Adair** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:23 pm

Attila wrote:Aspirin dissolved in mineral water.

The aspirin that gives you a headache! Hahaha!

ChrisV · Post by **ChrisV** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:34 pm

Thanks all. I didn't end up using the Tigress for the rose for guests, suspecting (correctly, I think) that it might be a bit on the serious side, but I bought a bottle for myself and am sipping it now. Quality stuff. I'm a fan of pink fizz and think Australia does a pretty good job with it.

griff · Post by **griff** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:37 pm

ChrisV wrote:Thanks all. I didn't end up using the Tigress for the rose for guests, suspecting (correctly, I think) that it might be a bit on the serious side, but I bought a bottle for myself and am sipping it now. Quality stuff. I'm a fan of pink fizz and think Australia does a pretty good job with it.

Glad you liked it

cheers

Carl

Daryl Douglas · Post by **Daryl Douglas** » Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:42 pm

What did you end up serving your guests, Chis? Just curious.

Cheers

daz