Churchview Limited Release Sparkling 2022
- 91
- $32
- Drink by: 2024-2026
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Chenin Blanc seems to get far more respect in the West than it does in the rest of the country, which seems harsh. Perhaps wines like this can resurrect it for us all. Sparkling Chenin is very much a Loire Valley thing, but great to see a local version. Fourteen months on lees, the wine is a low 11.5% alcohol, meaning a second glass is always an appealing option. A gleaming yellow gold, we have notes of citrus, lemongrass, grapefruit, crisp apples and ginger. A wine exhibiting finesse, good biting acidity, balance and a lingering finish. A bright and fresh style, lots to like. Drink over the next couple of years.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
