Pirie Tasmania NV

Having now tried the Pirie Tasmania NV sparkling over three consecutive years, I am convinced this is one of the best value sparkling wines on the market. Being a non-vintage blend, there is consistency, but also small points of difference in each release that speak of the winemaker’s talent in showing off the best of each base vintage. It opens with aromas of crisp green apple and finger lime pearls, before entering into a bevy of zesty citrus. Made using the traditional method, time on lees has resulted in the aromas of kourabiedes – Greek almond shortbread dusted with icing sugar – one of my favourite treats. The trademark creamy mousse is here again with a delicate saline minimality. Lemon zest and Tangelos abound on the palate with their intriguing sweet/tangy edge. Bright, juicy, acidity leaves the palate refreshed (even with delicious fried food accompanying), and your mouth watering for another sip. 

Nicole Bilson

Wine Critic at Winepilot

Nicole loves wine. So much so that she gave up a successful career in Pharmacy, perfected her spitting technique, and moved from sunny Queensland to the wine-drenched laneways of Melbourne. Stints in hospitality, wineries, retail, sales and marketing filled the next few years while Nicole built her knowledge and searched for the right path. She completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) Diploma in 2016 and became a certified WSET Educator the following year. She now juggles a number of roles including teaching people about wine, curating wines lists for restaurants and bars, judging in Australian wine shows and, of course, writing. In 2016 she won the Negociants Working With Wine writing award and has since contributed to Gourmet Traveller WINE, Halliday Wine Companion Magazine and Nourish Magazine.

Wine tasting