- Big Moments
Add some sparkle with the best bubbles for the party season
Follow this guide to find the right sparkling for every festive occasion, from cocktail parties to big Christmas dinners.
It’s party season, and that means one thing – bubbles! The joyous sound of popping corks heralds the start of any party, whether you’re celebrating with your colleagues, bringing drinks to a Christmas feast, or hosting a festive cocktail party. There’s a fantastic range of sparkling wines available, from light summery drops to special occasion wines, with Australian winemakers creating some great new wines, too. Discover sparkling pinot and prosecco rosé, pop the cork on a classic bottle of Champagne or lift a glass of an intriguing blend of sparkling wine and bitters. Sparkling wine isn’t just for big parties either – it can also be just what you need for a casual get-together. Here are the best bubbles for every occasion.
BYO bubbles for work drinks
The Sensi Prosecco DOC 18K Gold, in a special edition gold-patterned bottle, is an impressive choice to take to any gathering, and also makes a striking gift. Prosecco, which hails from the north-east of Italy, is always an approachable drop and this one is no exception, with apple, pear and stone fruit notes. Great with seafood, and excellent value.
With Georg Jensen Hallmark Cuvee NV, the bottle is elegant, and so is the wine, a collaboration between the leading Danish design house and Heemskerk wines. With lemon and cashew notes balanced with elegant acidity, it’s great to drink now or cellar for up to 7 years. Serve it with antipasti and grazing boards.
Made in the Adelaide Hills, Bird In Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir is our pick for exploring the red side of sparkling. Made with five grape varieties, it boasts red fruit notes and crisp acidity. It’s a good match for cured meats and pastries, so serve it alongside party-sized gourmet sausage rolls.
Cocktail party bubbles
Looking for a bottle to get the party started? Brilla Prosecco, a light, elegant Italian sparkling, is outstanding value and great for parties and dinner gatherings, too. It comes in an elegant bottle with floral-patterned glass, and the crisp, delicate nose and flavours of peach and apple are a great match for seafood.
From the Adelaide Hills, and from a long-established name on the Aussie sparkling scene, Croser NV is a popular allrounder for good reason. With cashew and biscuit flavours, it’s a great-value bubbly that’s equally good to sip or serve with food.
Hailing from the King Valley in Victoria, a great area for Australian prosecco, Brown Brothers Prosecco NV is a fresh, fruity wine with notes of pear and apple that’s spot-on for summer gatherings. One for those who like their bubbly a little sweeter.
Looking for something different? Chandon Garden Spritz is a refreshing blend of sparkling wine and a citrussy bitters recipe crafted with navel and blood oranges, herbs and spices. Ready to chill and serve at parties and picnics, the zesty orange notes and delicate bitterness would also be a great pick for a Boxing Day brunch, matched with leftover Christmas ham
Fizz for Christmas feasting
An impressive wine from a family-owned house in the heart of Champagne, Charles de Cazanove Tradition Brut Vintage shows the benefits of extended ageing, with fine bubbles, a fruity nose and an appealing complexity, with appealing brioche notes. It’s ready to drink now, so buy this one for a big celebration or festive dinner.
Established in 1743, Moet & Chandon is the name to turn to for a bottle that will always impress. The Brut Imperial NV Champagne starts with beguiling aromas of apple and toast, then delivers complex lime and pear flavours. Perfect to sip and savour, or serve with shellfish or soft cheeses.
There’s a love story behind every bottle from Canard-Duchêne, a Champagne house established in 1868 after a barrel-maker and a grape-grower made a match. The demi-size Canard-Duchêne Rosé Champagne, with its rosy hue and berry flavours, is a great choice when you’re looking for a small bottle.
Alfresco summer bubbles
If you’re spending Christmas Day in the garden, Bélena Moscato is perfect for backyard parties. Served in a striking crystal-cut style screw-cap bottle, it has fruity mango and orange notes, and only 6% alcohol. And there’s something wonderfully festive about a sparkling rosé – with juicy apple and stone fruit flavours, Swanning Around Prosecco Rose is easy drinking by the glass, but also goes well with a range of food – anything from a burger at a barbecue to a seaside picnic of fish and chips.
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