Endeavour Group has introduced a 12 bottle per person per day limit of French Champagne for brands including Dom Perignon, Krug, Billecart-Salmon, Mumm, Pol Roger, Moët and Veuve Clicquot.
The limits have been introduced because of global supply constraints brought about due to global demand for premium champagne, COVID (the repeat offender) and the logistical challenges across the supply chain.
A spokesperson for Endeavour Group said, "Like all retailers, we are seeing some supply chain constraints for a limited number of imported products due to the Covid-pandemic, but we have worked closely with our supply partners since the first lockdowns of 2020 to keep stock on shelves and we continue to do so."
At November's IRI presentation, Alistair Leathwood said that the continuing trend towards premiumisation saw Champagne sales grow by 20 per cent.
He said that with the eastern seaboard at home during the pandemic, summer could see “pent-up demand and available cash for spending” play out in a strong recovery across both the retail and hospitality sectors with “competition for share of wallet as mobility increases”.
Mr Leathwood also referred to a pervading mood of “revenge conviviality” which means that this Christmas, New South Wales and Victoria will likely kick up their heels in a major way.
The stock limit currently in place for selected Champagne lines is two cartons (12 bottles) per customer per purchase occasion, and it is to ensure all our customers have access to these Champagnes all the way throughout the festive season.
However, Dan Murphy's has 150 Champagnes to choose from and over 400 sparkling wines so it is a great opportunity to venture into new territory. Drinks Trade spoke to some Australian experts for their recommendations.
Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye encourages Australians to look to their local producers this summer.
"The good news is that we have some of the finest wine right on our doorstep with Australian wine revered as some of the best in the world. At Accolade Wines, we have world-leading winemakers and wineries producing some of the very best premium sparkling wine.
Accolade Wines' sparkling portfolio includes Yarra Burn, Grant Burge, Croser and of course Tasmanian based House of Arras, voted best sparkling in the world by Decanter in 2020, beating major French Champagne to the title.
"Domestically, premium Australian sparkling has grown faster than Champagne in the last 6 months and we’ve also seen an increase in shoppers' repertoire as dual-drinkers across both Champagne and premium sparkling.
"After some difficult years with drought, bushfire and covid, it is more important than ever to buy Australian wine and support the local industry. We’re calling on Australians to enjoy Australian wine this holiday period!"
Drinks Trade spoke to some of Australia's best to ask for their recommendations.
Endeavour Group’s Direct Import Champagne & Sparkling Buyer Anne-Charlotte Ferrari
Ms Ferrari suggests looking beyond the traditional houses of Champagne to French premium sparkling options to expand one's repetoire. Her picks are:
Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire is a gorgeous blend of Chenin blanc, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is aged for 3 years. It's a delicate expression characterised by notes of white flowers, lime, green apple and pear. Retails for $21.99.
Famille Bougrier Vouvray Sparkling is made with 100 pre cent Chenin blanc, this is a dry expression of sparkling Vouvray. The nose is very typical of the Chenin Blanc grape with delicate notes of apricot, honey and quince with soft fruit flavours and minerality on the finish. RRP $23.99
Sieur D'Arques Grande Cuvée - "This Crémant de Limoux is sourced from the oldest sparkling wine region in the world which continues to produce these amazingly flavoursome, yet affordable sparkling wines. The Sieur d'Arques Aimery Grand Cuvée 1531 is a multiple award winner, and a truly quality sparkling for a phenomenal price! RRP: $16.00
Endeavour Group Champagne & Sparkling Category Manager Mat Young
Mr Young recommends two from the House of Arras for tables this Christmas.
He says, "Crafted by Australia's most awarded sparkling winemaker, Ed Carr, outstanding fruit are sourced from across Tasmania's premium cold climate regions and the House of Arras wines are as close to French Champagne as you can get.
"This premium sparkling has a palate of opulent flavours reminiscent of lychee, butter saued mushroom, natural yoghurt and fresh oyster. Incredible value for the quality! "
His pick of the portfolio are A by Arras Premium Cuvée NV at $26.99 per bottle and House of Arras Brut Elite Chardonnay Pinot Noir at $49.40.
The House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2006 (RRP $266) scored 99 points in James Halliday's Top 100 this year and the House of Arras Blanc de Blancs 2013 (RRP $130) scored 98 on the same list.
For something new, Mr Young suggests the new premium Pinot Noir Chardonnay sparkling in a modern, sophisticated pack endorsed by Amelia Burge, from one of the most famous winemaking families in Australia. The Amelia Burge Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut retails for $19.99 per bottle.
Drinks Trade Magazine's Publishing Editor, Ash Pini
Drinks Trade Magazine's Publishing Editor Ash Pini will be sipping on English Sparkling Pommery. He said that year after year, it continues to impress judges of the magazine's annual Champagne and Sparkling Tasting Bench. Beverage Director of Where's Nick, Bridget Raffal decribed it as, ""Fine and light in style, fresh but still some developing autolytic characters. Tightly wound acid, balance fine bead. Nice aperitif style."
Jessica Hill-Smith, sixth generation winemaker at Yalumba and Hill-Smith Family Vineyards,
Ms Hill-Smith's sparkling pick for Christmas is the newly released - Jansz Tasmania Single Vineyard Vintage Chardonnay 2016 - RRP $65.00
“The Jansz Single Vineyard Vintage Chardonnay will undoubtedly be on our table this Christmas. I love the purity of Chardonnay. This wine elegantly captures the essence of its vineyard in Tasmania with delicate flavours of vanilla bean, spiced pear, lemon and sea spray. Beautifully packaged in a clear bottle, it is an excellent centrepiece on the Christmas table and comes in a very smart looking gift box which is very fitting for the occasion,” she says.
Brown Family Wine Group's Katherine Brown & Winemaker Tom Wallace
Brown Family Wine Group's Katherine Brown will be serving Brown Brothers' Patricia Pinot Noir & Chardonnay 2012 as well as the winery's newly released Prosecco Premium Brut. While BFWG's winemaker in Tasmania, Tom Wallace will be serving Pirie Sparkling NV.
"Made using the same Méthode Traditional winemaking and the same grape varietals of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Pirie is classic and elegantly structured with fantastic Tasmanian grapes perfect for making the best Sparkling in the world.
"Pirie NV is the most available if you have the foresight, you can order Pirie Vintage or Pirie Vintage Rose at our online store and get it delivered, all three will be fantastic for this celebratory time."
James Halliday awarded the Pirie Traditional Method NV 92 points in his Top 100 this year.
Sue Hodder, Wynns Senior Winemaker
"There are many great Australian producers out there, making exceptional value sparkling wines using the Traditional Method of production. Coldstream Hills in the Yarra Valley are renowned for their elegant, graceful chardonnay and pinot noir wines, yet not many people know that they also make sparkling wines. Their 2016 Chardonnay Pinot Noir is pure and complex, with bright, zingy acidity, lemons and brioche," says Ms Hodder (pictured below).
"We also look to Seppelt for our sparkling wines – they’ve been making them since the 1890s, longer than any other winery in Australia, and their 2015 Salinger Vintage Cuvee shows great elegance and finesse."
Clare Dry, Seppelt Senior Winemaker
"The 2008 Seppelt Show Sparkling Grampians Shiraz is a classic Christmas pairing with roast turkey. Full flavoured with sweet fruit, pepper, spice and the savoury complexity that comes from ten years ageing on lees in bottle, it’s a festive table showstopper which boasts longevity of up to 50 years. We also have in hand Show Sparkling’s more affordable baby brother, Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz NV which is also a family favourite over Christmas," say Ms Dry.
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