Western Australian winemakers, Fogarty Wine Group have launched a new Sparking Wine range from Tasmania crafted by Chief Winemaker Liam McElhinney.

McElhinney’s passion for cool-climate winemaking brought him to Tasmania in 2019 when he joined the Fogarty Wine Group at Tasmanian Vintners.

The Thalia sparkling range includes three wines: NV, Rosé and Reserve Cuvée.

“Each of the Thalia wines offer a unique window into just how amazing Tasmania can be for world-class Méthode Traditionnelle. From the freshness and instant appeal of the NV, to the complex toastiness of the Reserve Cuvée, these wines showcase just how important careful viticulture, meticulous winemaking and patience are when crafting superb sparkling wines,” McElhinney said.

The name originates from the Greek mythology figure Thalia, the goddess of comedy, dance and idyllic poetry. Thalia is represented as a joyful, elegant figure and was one of the nine Muses, portrayed with a smiling mask and crown of ivy. Always one to incite laughter and joy, Thalia is the inspiration for this exceptional sparkling range which brings effervescent joy to any occasion.

The wines have already received awards and reviews with the NV Rosé awarded two Gold Medals and the Reserve Cuvée two Silver Medals at Australian wine shows this year. The NV and NV Rosé were also highly reviewed by Tyson Stelzer in the Halliday Wine Companion 2023.

Stelzer said of the NV Rosé, “A serious newcomer to the sparkling rosé set … Racy, young Coal River Valley pinot noir makes for an energetic spine of crunchy strawberry hull and lemon, with an air of rose petals. An elegant apéritif, unashamedly all about primary fruit over texture or complexity, yet still achieving a classy mouth feel and inherent balance.”

Thalia Awards
  • Thalia NV Rosé – Gold, Tasmanian Wine Show 2022
  • Thalia NV Rosé – Gold, Australian Sparkling Wine Show 2022
  • Thalia NV Reserve Cuvée – Silver, Tasmanian Wine Show 2022
  • Thalia NV Reserve Cuvée – Silver, Australian Sparkling Wine Show 2022

FWG is a Western Australian-based, family-controlled wine group. In just over 25 years, Peter Fogarty and his family have created a portfolio of wine assets across Australia from six different regions, including:

  • Dalwhinnie in the Pyrenees, Victoria
  • Lake’s Folly in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales
  • Deep Woods Estate, Margaret River, Western Australia
  • Evans & Tate, Margaret River, Western Australia
  • Millbrook Winery in the Perth Hills
  • Smithbrook in Pemberton, Western Australia
  • Lowestoft, Thalia, Strelley Farm Estate and Tasmanian Vintners in Tasmania.

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