And no, we don’t mean Aussie sparkling.
The latest Champagne in the Penfolds-line-up is now available, with the Cuvée Brut Non-Vintage (NV) rolling out just in time for spring. If that news has you a little confused, allow us to catch you up. Penfolds may be one of the most iconic Aussie wine brands out there – it’s famous for its annual collection of coveted wines that includes the pinnacle release, Grange. But over the past five years, this South Australian winery has launched a number of wines they’ve made in top international regions. In fact, this new release marks the fourth Champagne for Penfolds – and their most accessible.
Made from pristine fruit sourced from some of Champagne’s finest vineyards, the Penfolds Cuvée Brut NV is indeed a true Champagne – only sparkling wine that is grown and made in the coveted French region can officially carry that esteemed name on its label. Working in collaboration with Champagne house Thiénot, Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago was hands-on during its production process as it played out in France. This included Peter helping to select the fruit, conduct blendings and tastings, fine-tune the dosage rates and more. And now, this new Champagne rolls out as Penfolds marks its 180th anniversary, making this a very timely, celebratory release.
The Penfolds Cuvée Brut NV now joins the Rosé Champagne NV in the winery’s Champagne collection, as well as their two vintage releases, the Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, and the Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru. With the new release priced at $79 (hot tip: My Dan’s members can pick it up for $70 until October 9), it offers a more accessible French fizz than the previous Penfolds Champagnes. It’s a lively wine, full of fresh, floral aromas, bright citrus flavours and tingling acidity, which all creates a clean and bright style of bubbles. This makes it an ideal Champagne to kick off any occasion, but it will also prove a cracking addition to just about any meal you put it with this season – from barbies to festive feasts and everything in between.
The Champagne region is just one prestigious wine-growing area that Penfolds is focusing on beyond our borders – the winery has projects underway in France’s Bordeaux, California’s Napa Valley and even China, where burgeoning wine regions are gaining momentum. And in true Penfolds style, they’re breaking a few rules along the way, as seen with the Quantum Bin 98 Cabernet Sauvignon, which blends Napa Valley cabernet with a dash of Barossa shiraz.
