We often get asked what is the difference between Sparkling Shiraz and Sparkling Shiraz Durif is, so let us explain.
We will start with the most obvious difference, the Sparkling Shiraz is 100% Shiraz, whilst the Sparkling Shiraz Durif is a blend of 50:50 Shiraz and Durif.
In addition to that, the wines are also created differently.
The Sparkling Shiraz is from a single vintage and oak matured for 14 months. It is bottle fermented (aka methode traditionale), spending a further 2 years on yeast lees developing complexity. When the yeast is removed from the fermentation during the process of disgorging, we add some vintage port to the wine via the dosage (sugar mixture) – this adds aged complexity.
The new vintage is 2021 and is nicely balanced and is dry in style and can age for up to 12 years.
The Sparkling Shiraz Durif is a ‘non-vintage’ wine meaning it is a multi year blend. The bubbles are derived from a tank fermentation known as “Charmat” rather than bottle fermentation. Accordingly, it spends substantially less time in contact with the yeast lees, resulting in a more fruity, rather than complex drink. To compensate we gain more complexity via the addition of vintage port also, but this is blended before the Charmat process begins.
This non-vintage is finished slightly sweeter and softer than the vintage wine, and can age for up to 4 years.