Five Dark Ruby Red Sparkling Wines

I must admit that I was very unaware of the existence of red sparkling wines when I first entered the wine industry. Nowadays I have tasted many wines and visited their wineries and I enjoy the educational challenge that awaits me when people I know say “I didn’t know that they did red sparkling wine”.

The last time this happened was at a masterclass where Glass of Bubbly was invited to showcase fizz to the cast of televisions HollyOaks where a red sparkling wine of Alberto Quacquarini Vernaccia di Serrapetrona Secco was shown and delighted many cast members.

I find that red sparkling wines are usually fairly heavy and that makes them perfect to pair with very flavoured and rich fatty and creamy foods, a great combination for me is with blue cheese.

So what five red sparkling wines should you look out for? I have put together a list of some stand out ruby red sparklers for your bucket list:

Alberto Quacquarini – Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG Dolce

This is a truly magnificent red sparkling wine from the Le Marche wine region of Italy. A somewhat unknown yet holding many hidden gems, this is a must visit location and certainly should be on the radar of any person in charge of putting together that special wine list.

Vinarstvo Rebula – Br’stovska Penina Teran 2010

Slovenia might not be on everyone’s radar when it comes to wine, but this country packs a punch of flavours and tasting experiences with also a wonderful selection of red fizz.

Here we have a deep dark ruby coloured sparkler with dark berry fruits expressed in a heavy yet very gastronomic tasting experience. The wine won a Bronze medal in the 2017 The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards for ‘Love or Hate’.

Forget me Not: Jožef Jazbec Črna Penina Chateau Intanto

Here I must confess that I stumbled across a most heavenly masterpiece thanks to our good friend and chairman of the Glass of Bubbly Awards, Marin Berovic. Little known about this wine and it is the way the owners prefer it so out of respect. I have a few bottles of this wine safely stored in our collection, I may be persuaded to open a bottle to share at our next Glass of Bubbly London event – Stay tuned!

Aged to perfection, performs better when very well chilled and almost wine making perfection in dark berry fruity flavours.

Hattingley Valley Sparkling Red Pinot

Back on to home soil and English Sparkling Wine putting its hat in the ring here with a great red sparkler from Hattingley Valley. A slightly lighter ruby colour, but great flavours:

“A very smooth and delicate wine with a vibrant, ruby colour. Red cherries, strawberries, raspberries and cream on the nose, follow through onto the palate. Long, intense red fruit finish with a very subtle fine mousse.
Food Pairing: In winter it’s perfect as a pre-Sunday roast (or Christmas dinner!) tipple but come the summer a refreshing BBQ wine.”

J.C. Le Roux La Chanson Red Sparkling

Now we go over to South Africa with a red sparkling from J.C. Le Roux – La Chanson.

J.C. Le Roux La Chanson is a lively, ruby-red sparkling wine. It reveals a delightful mélange of sweet, fruity flavours suggesting hints of strawberry and plum. Low in alcohol, this is truly a sparkling wine to add exuberance to any occasion.