When the Reds go Marching in…

Who doesn’t love to share a glass of something fizzy when it comes to wine, but how many of you have ever tasted red sparkling wine? With more and more wineries attempting to produce better and better examples, when it comes to reds in the world of fizz then there is certainly some progress being made.

For years there have been red sparkling wines to choose from, though lesser known and probably limited to being enjoyed by wine professionals at tastings, they have remained little known and undiscovered by consumers and buyers. Many people will struggle to find a bottle to purchase within supermarkets despite them having wider selections these days.

Who produces red sparkling wines?

Regions such as Le Marche in Italy, Australia and Slovenia have had amazing success of recent years with many labels taking home gold medals and also receiving top honours of trophies in their categories. England are also involved in producing red sparkling wines and many of us would probably be familiar with red fizz thanks to Lambrusco.

What grapes are red sparkling wines made from?

Different countries will use different grapes, there is no set grape that is used for making red sparkling wine. For example in Australia, it is highly likely that the grape shiraz will be used in the making of red sparkling wine whereas in Italy the brachetto grape is used.

 

What does red sparkling wine taste like?

There has been much progress in the quality of red sparkling wines and there is a wide selection of tastes to choose from today. Mostly you will experience dark berry fruit aromas and flavours with extras of spices, dark chocolate, pepper, liquorice, tobacco and more.

The wine will usually be a fruity tasting experience and a good quality example will not be so heavy / bitter and be a perfect partner for pairing with desserts / cheese / cured ham and more.

You can find different sugar levels in red sparkling wines to give you a sweeter or dryer tasting experience, you can also have both standard sparkling and lesser fizz by way of frizzante style.

Examples of red sparkling wines:

We recently reached out to red sparkling wine producers from across the globe and following a tasting chez Glass of Bubbly tasting room we have the following notes to share with our readers plus live links to find out more about each winery and wine.

 

Tasting notes: “Wonderful red sparkling wine. Deep aromas of blackberry, plum. Lively bubbles. Very fruity taste with plum, blackberry. Easy to drink and enjoy, not too heavy nor bitter.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Dowie Doole website.

 

Tasting notes: “Delicate aromas showing wild strawberry and dry raspberry. A touch dry initially with fine red fruit flavours. Very light and easy to drink – A wine to accompany fine gastronomy.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Barth winery website.

 

Tasting notes: “Touch of white pepper and black cherries on the nose along with subtle hints of dried tobacco. Dry flavours yet crisp and enjoyable showing dark berries, spices, earthy and more.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Vina Stoka website.

 

Tasting notes: “Touch of dry expression initially then sweetness comes in to play. Faint tannins and dark berry fruit flavours gives you a great glass of red fizz from this great winery located close to the Croatian borders of Slovenia.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Istenic website.

 

Tasting notes: “A welcoming nose of light summer berry fruits with hints of blackberry jam/jelly. A lighter red colouring. An easy to drink red sparkling wine, not too heavy nor bitter. Nice dry raspberry / red apple skin flavours. Big thumbs up!”

Find out more about this wine at the official Bluebell Vineyard Estates website.

 

Tasting notes: “A great Charmat method red sparkling wine. Summer berry fruit flavours with hints of spice / oak / earthy notes. Not too heavy or overpowering as per some red sparkling wines.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Vinakoper website.

 

Tasting notes: “Nose is very welcoming giving a basket full of red fruits with hints of apple and candy. Most pleasant flavours for a red sparkling wine, not too heavy yet bursting with tempting flavours including soft dark berry fruits, spices and a wonderful soft creamy finish. A deserved Gold Medal winning wine in the category of ‘Gastronomic’ at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2018.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Pauletts Wines website.

 

Tasting notes: “Smooth, red fruit flavours with a hint of dry creaminess.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Bolney Wine Estate website.

 

Tasting notes: “Rhubarb and blackberries on the nose. An initial creamy taste sensation with blackcurrants then a dryness in the length. Ideal for food pairing.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Cantine Ceci website.

 

Tasting notes: “Very tempting aromas giving red rose petals, plum candy and strawberry jam. Well balanced sweet dark berries, plum, dark cherries and a touch of dark chocolate in flavours. A fairly decent length that doesn’t leave any bitter after taste this making it very more’ish.”

Find out more about this wine at the official Serboni website.