Back in my early days working as a sommelier, there was always a rush of excitement around the restaurant floor when the first pop of a cork rang out. It’s a sound that belongs to moments of anticipation. But to me, sparkling is more than a celebratory wine – it’s my everyday wine, whether I’m relaxing on the couch with a juicy burger or telling stories late at night in a moody wine bar.
It’s what I gravitate to first on any wine list, the one I collect and cellar, the local product I seek out when travelling across the world – and the sheer range of styles means there’s always something new to discover.
Champagne remains the benchmark for many. Its name alone conjures a sense of luxury, but what excites me most are the grower producers who bottle not just Champagne but also capture the flavours of a particular vineyard, coaxing nuance from individual parcels of chalk, clay and limestone. These wines remind us that Champagne is not just a brand or a monolith, but a patchwork of terroirs and traditions expressed with precision and finesse.
Italy offers a lighter expression of bubbles through prosecco, produced in regions such as Veneto and Friuli, its style ranging from crisp and aromatic to fragrant and floral. Meanwhile, the UK has emerged as an increasingly strong sparkling contender on the world stage, helped by cool maritime climates and chalky soils similar to northern France.
And of course, Australia has its own well-crafted and highly awarded sparkling tradition, shaped by decades of cool climate winemaking – as well as newer, more unconventional offerings.
For me, bubbles will always be more than just a festive flourish. It carries stories of place, tradition and innovation in every glass. Whether it’s a rare prestige cuvée or something more experimental, it continues to remind me why sparkling wine has always been my MVP for any occasion.
Five sparkling wines to try this summer 2025:
1. NV Champagne Agrapart & Fils, 7 Crus, Champagne, France, $160
A blend of 90 per cent chardonnay and 10 per cent pinot noir, 7 Crus draws from seven Côte des Blancs villages. The 2020 Grand Cru and 2021 Premier Cru parcels were aged three years on lees, with reserve wine matured in 600-litre neutral oak casks from famed French families François Chidaine and Didier Dagueneau. Aromas of ripe white peaches, pear and brioche lead to a textural palate underpinned by vibrant acidity and a subtle oyster shell minerality.
2. 2006 House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 30th Anniversary Special Release, Tasmania, $330
To commemorate the 30th anniversary, winemaker Ed Carr has produced just 1566 bottles of the 2006 Late Disgorged Special Release. What’s inside reflects both the island’s pristine fruit and the steady hand of its long-serving winemaker, with a depth of flavour and poise that places it among the finest sparkling wines in the world.
3. 2017 The Hunt for Mrs. Oliver Fiano Sparkling LD, McLaren Vale, South Australia, $90
This Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling fiano celebrates Marjorie Oliver (née Hunt), winemaker Corrina Wright’s grandmother, with hints of cut ruby grapefruit, buttered toast, waxy chamomile flowers and juicy lychee. Complexity on the nose flows through to the palate, with fragrant spices and preserved lemon. Almost 10 years of age lends itself to a generous mouthfeel and some serious structure.
4. 2015 Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs, West Sussex & Hampshire, England, $193
As is the way with all blanc de blancs, this 100 per cent chardonnay sparkling shows aromas of lemon and pink lady apples, with hints of shortbread. William Bartlett pears and mandarin lead on the palate, accompanied by a subtle green note and flinty minerality. Extended lees ageing delivers a long, creamy finish. Nyetimber pioneered English sparkling in the early 1990s with this signature style.
5. 2023 Ca’ Di Rajo Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene DOCG, Veneto, Italy, $48
Vibrant aromas of green apple, white peach and citrus are complemented by delicate floral notes. The palate shows more savoury complexity than its more fruit-forward counterparts; a hint of minerality and a touch of lemon zest. Known as the wine drinkers’ prosecco, made with some serious craft and elegance, it’s definitely one of the best examples available.
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