Shaw Wines Sparkling Cuvée 2021

There is always a place for an easy drinking, decently priced fizz. This very young option from Shaw Wines in the Canberra region is made from Semillon – not a typical choice when one thinks of sparkling wines. The grapes are harvested at night to preserve freshness followed by a gentle crushing and then pressed by airbags. A slow fermentation is effected at low temperatures and the Charmat method is used for the second fermentation. The team at Shaw recommend serving it with a salad or fish and I am on board with that, but would add that chilled on a warm afternoon, this would be a most pleasant diversion. They also suggest cellaring for up to ten years although, for me, this is a drink now style. 

The wine is a thoroughly exuberant style. There are pleasing lemon meringue notes and citrus characters throughout. The backing is a gentle minerally base. This is an upfront style with clean, bright fruit, so a drink and enjoy now style of fizz.