Do you love Sparkling Red wine?
As we discovered in my recent blog on rosé, there is no such thing as a red champagne (a rosé but not a red), but there are sparkling reds from other parts of the world made with all kinds of red grape varieties.
Sparkling red wines begin their life in the same way as still reds, fermented on skins to extract colour, flavour and tannin. The finest are then privileged to méthode traditionnelle, although transfer, charmat or carbonation methods for cheaper wines can also be used.
In Australia, a Sparkling Shiraz is loved by many. I recently confessed to my fellow bubbly enthusiasts that I do love a sparkling rosé, but I am not a lover of sparkling reds. I realise that is un-Australian, and wondered if there were others that shared my view? So, I put it out there and sent a survey to our list, and oh my, what a flurry of passionate responses!
Although there are no precise records, it seems that the tradition of Aussie sparkling reds can be attributed to Charles Pierlot a winemaker from Champagne who was employed at Hans Irvine’s Great Western cellars. He experimented with making some of Australia’s first ‘sparkling burgundy’ wines in 1893. More than 125 years later, this legacy continues with Seppelt and other Aussie producers now known as makers of some of the world’s finest bubbly reds.
I do love the change of seasons, the cooler nights, which go so well with hearty food, casseroles and rich flavoured meals. As we are in the cooler months here in Australia, perhaps a long weekend lunch (or brekkie as one of our readers suggested!) or an evening meal, with a sparkling rosé or red might be the perfect bubbly match for your Autumn and Winter dining.
Here are the results to our bubbly red questions:
We asked ~ What do you like, love or dislike about sparkling reds?
Here are your comments:
| Tracey | A great full-bodied alternative to sparkling whites. |
| Lynn | Cannot drink still or sparkling red wines … bad reaction |
| Rhonda | I like sparkling reds more with heavier foods, so more in the colder months, however I did have a couple of nice cold refreshing red bubbles over summer. It’s nice to be able to have a choice and some variety. |
| Kaye Harris | Love the earthiness of Grampians Estate sparkling red from their Great Western block victoria |
| Mandy P. | Some of the sparkling reds can be a bit heavy. |
| Barbara Kahi | I think it is an acquired taste. Not great availability where I live. Need to find a friend to share a bottle. My wine drinking friend lives in NZ and I live on the Gold Coast. Maybe share with my brother in law who likes to chill his red wines. |
| Cassie Maywald | I don’t like red wine and relate similar taste to this I think. I also don’t want to risk buying a sparkling red only to be disappointed and wished I stuck to my champagne. |
| I like sparkling reds as they feel more celebratory than a still wine. Rose is my favourite at present | |
| Karen Nicol | I adore red wine, but what could be better than red wine with bubbles! |
| Sandy | Love the fresh bubbly berry tastes |
| Robyn Naughton | They have just a different texture and flavour |
| Donna Maloney | Love the taste, goes well with food from chilli chocolate to duck to dumplings. It looks festive and bubbles are always wonderful. |
| Louise | Love Sparkling Merlot & Shiraz. I believe they are like a truth serum! |
| Either summer or winter I absolutely love a chilled sparkling red. So full of flavour | |
| Carol | I like them as a yummy alternative to sparkling white. There are some lovely Victorian ones from up Rutherglen way. They also go well with cheese at the end of a meal. |
| Michelle 🙂 | They do not have the same crispness and are not as refreshing |
| I enjoy sparkling white wine personally and sparkling red is something I can only drink in small amounts, not as enjoyable. | |
| Susanne Meier | I love the marriage of red and bubbles. The bubbles totally change the nature of reds. Versatile food pairings in cooler temps. |
| The bubbles, and the sensation of drinking sparkling red | |
| Jan Martin | I like red wine and love bubbles! A great combo and a Christmas tradition! |
| Marg | Drinks well while eating cheese and sometimes l prefer a sparkling red instead of a heavy red. |
| You still have bubbles but with a heavier meal. I leave in North East Vic and we have a few great reds that are great sparkling wines | |
| Megan | I don’t drink red wine, so If I try a sparkling red, I just find it too heavy. |
| Nicole Olbourne | The flavour profile is just all wrong when it’s a sparkling. Maybe it’s the tannins but it’s just yuck!! |
| Kate | The delight the bubbles add to the red experience. |
| Sue Hobbs | Too fruity. It’s like fizzy cordial |
| Heather | They are very different I wouldn’t drink a still red if you paid me |
| Lyn D | Not really a lover of reds sparkly or still |
| Beverley Monley | I don’t like as I just think a full bodied Red with bubbles just isn’t right & I just don’t like the taste. |
| Mel | I don’t like cheap sparkling reds as they are sweet and horrible, but good quality wines have richness, good dark fruits and savoury notes and complementary sweetness. I love them mainly in the warmer weather, especially at Christmas, but happy to have in cooler weather as an aperitif too. |
| Shauna | I love a true Lambrusco that has a slight sparkle to it. Particularly in winter. |
| Zoe | I mainly drink Shiraz so a sparkling red is a bit of fun. |
| Mel Butler | They tend to be too heavy and sweet. I like my sparkling wine dry and light, crisp and favoured in warmer weather. |
| Lee | Any sparkly wine that’s not too sweet is great. |
| The benefits of drinking a lovely full bodied red with the all important bubbles. | |
| Michelle | I don’t mind the occasional one but some are too sweet and I prefer still red. |
| Meryl | Not fond of red. Will drink it if I have to, but not my preferred tipple. |
| Sofie | I just don’t drink red wines and the bubbles do nothing to change my mind or enhance the flavour. |
| Dr Annetta Mallon | Often they are too bold, heavy, or just ‘too much’. I generally prefer sparkling white and rose. |
| Carol Embleton | It doesn’t have the same fresh taste as my usual bubbles. I only like still full bodies red wines. There is just something that doesn’t blend with my taste buds about sparkling red. |
| Karen | I have just never been a lover of red wine |
| Sherryn | Absolutely love the depth of flavour in a decent sparkling red |
| Jane Symes | Love red wine sparkling or not, turning to the dark side after years of white wine, red just better. |
| Leanne Bruce | There are some great sparkling reds and it is a drink I enjoy in winter as I love my bubbles 🙂 |
| I find them too heavy to drink | |
| I can’t really comment as I have only had limited tries. | |
| Tanina | I love red wine, however I’ve never found one Sparkling red I’ve ever liked, it’s something about the taste, it just doesn’t taste like a red, they also can be tricky to open and fly out the bottle when opening, be careful you don’t get covered in it! |
| Georgia | A really good sparkling red is an experience you rarely have when drinking anything ‘bubbly’. It has a zest and vibrancy that is exciting and really let’s you appreciate the red variety it has come from. |
| Loretta Wellman | I get drunk very quickly with sparkling red yet I can drink a bottle or two of champagne and I’m just HAPPY!!!!! |
| Chanel | I am not a fan of sparkling reds, I think the whole attraction to a red is the temperature and thick feeling and the sparkling seems to take that away. Having said this, I am open to the idea of a sparkling red and will keep taste testing them at wineries as you never know I might change my mind. |
| Anne Mac | Prefer still reds |
| Ann | I love the rich red colour and jammy berry taste. Even chilled it’s a winter warmer for me |
| Wendy McCullough | They are good when you only want to have just one glass of bubbles. For instance, tonight my partner wants to celebrate a small win. I don’t want to drink a full bottle (which I will do if I open white or rose sparkling) so a sparkling red will ensure I just have one, ok, two. I don’t drink the flat reds or whites. |
| Feels too heavy. | |
| Debs | They seem to affect me a lot quicker – heavier to drink! |
| Pauline Lang | I don’t have them often but as long as it is not sweet ok. |
| Katherine | Bit too big for my liking. It’s a bit like drinking a bubbly shiraz. |
| Denis Zaruba | I’m French and for me the only reason why Australians created sparkling reds is to have it on very hot days (30 + degrees) and it’s not at all as fine as champagne is. It’s overpowering!! |
| Nicole | I think they are too heavy |
| Not quite as bubbly as champagne but brings out special flavour of the red….still prefer still red though. | |
| Carmela Dimattia | Cannot be sweet so I like my reds a little drier |
| Too strong | |
| Carolena Boyd | I really like the boldness of a good red – combined with the bubbles. |
| Prefer sparkling white or rose, rarely drink any red wine at all. | |
| Anna Buddee | Just love the rich heady aroma of the bubbly sparkling reds! |
| Pam | I enjoy drinking sparkling red on a hot day, usually with a cheese board, for something different. |
| Sharon | Some are amazing and others too heavy. I’ll try any wine once but sparkling reds make me a bit picky |
| Wendy | A little more full bodied than normal sparkles. |
| Michael Potter | I’ve never found one yet that I can drink. The flavour isn’t my cup of tea… or glass of wine. |
| Isa | I just prefer a flat red or a white sparkling. I don’t like the taste of a sparkling red |
| Megan Deves | I love a little more full flavour sometimes when I’m craving a sparkling |
| Vicki W | Not a red wine drinker whether still or bubbly…I dont mind rose but anything heavier is not my style. |
| Cheryl | Some time you need a red and I don’t do plain reds but with a steak or a bbq a sparkling red goes down well. |
| I don’t love red wine as much as I love white wine. And sparkling red is just so foreign and unappealing to me | |
| I don’t mind a light red sparkling but if it’s too heavy I don’t like it at all. | |
| Anitra | I used to enjoy them 15-20 years ago but don’t any more. I think my palate is more discerning these days. |
| I enjoy sparkling wines and also red wine so being red & sparkling is a nice change | |
| Lynda Doncaster | Better than champagne or a glass of red as combines both!! |
| Karla | They’re great. So much depth of flavour for when you have a hot meal and/or cold weather. |
| Ainsley | The rich colour, all the big red-wine flavours combined with the mousse mouthfeel of bubbles – it’s a winner for me. I prefer a sparkling red to a still as the bubbles seem to lighten the wine a bit? |
| Karen Brus | Love it in winter, a different take on a still red. My hubby loves sharing a bottle with me. |
| Lucy | They taste wrong. You lose the depth of a good, still red wine and the sparklings don’t have the vivacity of a good sparkling white. |
| Cheryl Bisi | Reds just aren’t meant to be sparkling! Reds are a ‘heavier’ type of wine that does not suit the light nature of a sparkling wine in my view. |
| Suzanne Adair | Red is red and bubbles are white and pink |
| Chris | Bubbles |
| Jane Ross | As long as they’re not too sweet. Sparkling red is the bomb! Love it |
| Wendy Hills | We only drink them in winter as a refreshing drink, not a serious wine if that makes sense. |
| Lisa Cicchine | I love the intensity of Sparkling reds |
| Mark | It just tastes wrong – a fad that needs to die! |
| Chris | Well it is sparkling, so I have to love it. Not a big red wine drinker, prefer bubbles, so this is a fabulous way to get all those red wine “health benefits ” ! |
| Fiona McL | I have a local favourite that I just find easy & comforting to drink |
| Sparkling reds are too heavy for me | |
| Pene Kats | I quite like Lambrusco. It’s an Italian wine that is slightly sparkling and has a pleasing, deep, fruity flavour. Make sure you invest in a decent label though, this wine is not good when it’s cheap. Brown Brothers do a nice one for between $10.00 to $20.00 (I cant remember exactly!). Make sure you drink this cold! |
| Simon | Deep rich sparkling wine with a flavour which complements many foods |
| Dot | Taste is bitter |
| Love red wine and it is a tasty red with bubbles !!!! | |
| Caz Karski | I have never been a fan of red wine, so it just seems logical that even putting bubbles into it, I wouldn’t like it. |
| Lis | It’s diversity and pairs well with food. Great on a hot day. |
| Jules | Grew up having ‘cold duck’ with Sunday lunch! Love sparkling red to this day |
| I like the heaviness of the red wine in winter but still with a sparkle! | |
| Dislike the nose | |
| Alison | The depth of flavour combined with the joy of bubbles. |
| Maree | I think a red should be smooth rich ripe full bodied but not bubbly. |
| Maz Glover | If it’s a sweeter red I am sure I will drink it |
| Melinda | The taste is just not correct to me |
| Doreen Swann | I just don’t like reds of any kind but my husband loves reds |
| Kerrie Hodgson | I really love bubbles full stop, so if I start on champagne or bubbles, I can easily follow up with a sparkling red rather than a still white or red. After the first couple of sips its just as delicious as bubbles. |
| Sharon | I like my bubbly to have a light flavour and red tends to be very full bodied |
| Maria Moreira | I love the tingling, bubbling, fresh, effervescent sensation on your taste buds and the chilling vibe you get from swishing sparkling reds in your mouth. They tend to go with many varieties of food! |
| Kristan Lum | I think the bubbles help with sparkling reds, adds a different texture in flavour and exciting |
| Hate the smell of red wine | |
| Kym Durbano | Don’t like the taste |
| Kerry | Sometimes I just like the feeling of something sparkling. It is refreshing. You don’t want a big, bold red just something light. |
| Nedda | I just like bubbles can drink anything including reds |
| Lynn | I do not like red wine sparkling or still and they do not like me! |
| Anne | It just does not seem the way to do a sparkling |
| Jackie K | Most taste lighter, a great alternative to a heavier red. |
| Kate | It just doesn’t feel like the right combination. I don’t enjoy the red flavours when it is fizzy and cold. I miss the crisp freshness of a white. The furthest I will go is a sparkling Rose for the added fruitiness. Leave reds alone. |
| Brenton Jolly | Just something different and unusual and something delicious any time of the year. |
| Robbie Poulton | As a Champagne traditionalist I don’t enjoy sparkling reds…too heavy! However I do enjoy a cheeky sparkling Rose. It’s all about the texture for me. |
| Louise Lupton | I find all red wine too heavy even with bubbles |
| Heidi | I think they are ok, although maybe a bit weird. |
| They taste good and are an alternative to white bubbles | |
| Ally | They can be hit and miss, sometimes too sweet. You want some sweetness, but lovely plum flavours, great with cheese or dessert |
| Elaine | I haven’t found one I like the taste of |
| Sharyn Campbell | Can’t really pin point why but I do love red wine and drinking it with bubbles (and cold) is just not for me. I probably like sparkling white as I don’t drink white wine much and sparkling white is just so good for any occasion. |
| Jodi | I love red wine, I love bubbles, so a sparkling red is a favourite of mine, refreshing and flavoursome 🙂 |
| Sue. S | Sparkling reds make a nice fruity change from white bubbles |
| Ann Blannin-Ferguson | At non-summery days a sparkling shiraz with some yummy cheeses is perfect |
| Lennie Lister | Unique, food friendly, suits climate/BBQs/outdoor dining |
| Dan B | Took a fine young lady on the vintage Daimler Benz tour of the Barossa in 2003 and a work colleague suggested going to Charles Melton and he hand makes a sparkling red every few years method traditional. Tasted one then, it was great bought some, he said you can put it away for 20yrs and drink on a special occasion, cracked one at my father’s 70th 2 yrs ago. Still great. Audrey Wilkinson makes one also in Hunter. |
| Rachel | You can drink reds in the middle of summer! And drink bubbles in the middle of winter. I don’t like the overly sweet ones. |
| I don’t like red wine | |
| A tad too big for my liking.. perhaps dangerous is the word! | |
| Nadine Lambert | I’m a South Australian. We love our reds, the bigger, the bolder, the better. But it’s also bloody hot in summer. Arguably too hot to drink our big reds (even chilled), so a big bold dry sparkling red is the perfect compromise. (just don’t give us any of that sweet red sh#t). Love from your South Australian readers |
| Jodie | I’ll be honest, I’m undecided about the taste. |
| Lisa Scheepers | At first I was dubious about sparkling reds as I love my red at room temperature. After trying a sparkling shiraz one day I’ve been hooked ever since. I love the full body of shiraz mixed with the light bubbles. |
| Tiffany Hansen | Dislike – taste is awful on all reds |
| Julie | Not a big fan, I just prefer Sparkling whites or Rose. Not as heavy in flavour. |
| Cecilia | I love sparkling Shiraz. You get the full body flavour but a sparkling version of a still red. |
| Chilled sparkling red is much lighter and refreshing | |
| Anthony | A good chilled red on a hot day can be lovely. Especially Stanton & Killeen’s sparkling red in Rutherglen. |
| Sarah Mack | Perfect blend of winter and summer. Sparkling reds in summer chilled and add a lightless in winter. |
| I only like them if they are a light red. | |
| Helen | Don’t seem to have the same taste/effect as white sparkling and gives me a headache. |
| Oli | So warming in winter |
| Mark Phelps | Fantastic drink, I love a good red and to add bubbles is a unique way to enjoy them. Great with a cooked brekky as well as by the fireside. |
| I’m not a red drinker, so I think that preference transfers in to the sparkling reds. | |
| Sometimes they can be very refreshing. | |
| Kelly (Gadgetgirl) | It is somehow just wrong. I like full bodied reds, especially in winter. Bubbles to me, are cold and refreshing and best drunk all year round. |
| Elaine Mitchell | It’s something different and a light hearted way to enjoy reds in Summer as I am not a fan of “chilling” reds. It’s also a good way to get non red drinkers eased into reds. |
Thank you to everyone who shared their comments. I really loved reading them all. I always say, there is no right or wrong when it comes to tasting wine. If you like it, that is all that matters.
I did notice in our subscriber comments that some mentioned sparkling reds were “dangerous” and a “truth serum”. A reminder that red wine usually has a higher alcohol content than white wine, and this is especially so with bubbles, a champagne at 12.5% and a prosecco is usually around 11%, compared to sparkling reds at around 13-15%. Remember to pace yourself and enjoy responsibly!
You may also like these other blogs:
Do you know the way to make rose
Why that is not a glass of champagne that you are drinking
Natalie Pickett is the Founder of The Bubbles Review which is for people who like champagne and other bubbles, written by people who have a love of all things sparkling! At The Bubbles Review, we like to debunk some myths, make the art of drinking champagne accessible, explore bubbly regions and champagne bars, and provide events for you to join us and indulge.
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