Jacob's Creek Sparkling Rose

A delicious sparkler from down under.

Ah, I enjoy my sparkling wines. Love the little bubbles exploding in my mouth and tickling my nose. I've become especially fond of dry rose wines. I don't wear pink, but I will drink it.

Jacob's Creek has a real winner with their Sparkling Rose - it is vintaged from Australian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. I enjoy it with company and food. It is pleasingly crisp, refreshing, with bright delicate fruit that does not intrude on the finish. This is not an expensive wine, but it does have class. I don't know how widely distributed this wine is, I can find it in this part of the world, but not the other part.

If you are planning a wedding - this bottle of bubbly should be mandatory at the reception. Summer and late summer parties would be incomplete without the pink from Jacob's Creek.

I like it and suggest you try some if you can find it where you live.

Alcohol: 11.5 %
Total Acid: 6.1 g/L
pH: 3.15
http://www.jacobscreek.com/

Cheers!

Jacobs Creek Sparkling Chardonnay - Pinot Noir

An Australian sparkler which is sure to please.

I've posted on my Washington wine blog and on my Facebook group, that I've been unable to find any Jacobs Creek sparkling wine in South Eastern Washington. By chance, I purchased a bottle on clearance several years ago in Pasco, Washington. It was quite good. Naturally, I went looking for more.

I never found another bottle in town. Jacobs Creek distributes their value-priced wines well, red and white, but not the sparkler. I've spoken with several distributors and Googled distributors. But no Jacobs Creek sparkling wine. Where did it go? It is advertised on their Website and listed as a current product. Maybe there's too much competition in the regional market?

Guess what? I found some in the Abu Dhabi Duty Free store last month. That's where some of it went. note: We stopped at Spinney's liquor store down the street yesterday, and found more. If you don't want to pay for Champagne, this Australian sparkling wine is a great option.

Was the wine as good as remembered?

We finally cracked open that Jacobs Creek sparkling wine. The bottle was well chilled, fridge to freezer, back to fridge (who can drink warm bubbly?). It had soft bubbles, but plenty of them, maybe it was me that night, but I tasted gobs of honey and citrusy ginger - nice and crisp. I liked.

Jacobs Creek Sparkling Chardonnay - Pinot Noir, NV
Found in Abu Dhabi, UAE (you're on your own finding it elsewhere)
Serve well chilled for maximum enjoyment

Yering Station 2005 Shiraz Viognier

Friday evening I had a most enjoyable time with new friends. A short elevator ride to the 11th floor and I was graciously welcomed in. My hosts were originally from Australia and did have some lovely Australian wine to share.

Those familiar with my Washington wine blog, know that I am partial to Syrah. Quite fond of in fact, I was pleasantly surprised when a bottle of Australian Shiraz Viognier was opened and shared. This is my third week living in the United Arab Emirates. My consumption of alcohol here has been minimal, and my intake of wine has been non-existant, until Friday night.

I am not an expert on Australian wines. Back home, only the basic bulk Australian reds are usually available (certainly not the best examples of what Australia produces). I was quite intrigued by the bottle of Yering Station 2005 Shiraz Viognier my host presented. Intrigued? Anxious, eager and salivating with anticipation is more like it. It had been almost a month without any Syrah/Shiraz! I was not disappointed.

We were instantly greeted by enticing fruit and a whif of earth, a touch of taragon gently expressed itself the longer the wine was open. Not that the wine was open for long. The bottle went faster than usual, I could barely restrain myself. While not a formal tasting, and the pace was a bit faster than usual, I have to admit that I really liked this wine. I did a little research and found a link to the tasting notes for this vintage, see following link:
http://www.yering.com/cpa/htm/htm_mod_link.asp?id=1478

I have no idea what this wine costs here. I can't even purchase a bottle of wine at the liquor store yet. But when I can, I'm going hunting for the Yering Station Shiraz Viognier. Recommended!

*note: We also opened a bottle of Chilean Malbec (no I don't remember which one) and it was also very good (I remember mocha in the mid-palette) I'll look out for that one again and write about it when I find it.

Cheers!