Another Tassie delight: Pirie NV fizz

I have mixed feelings when I crack open another bottle of Arras Grand Vintage 2005.  Great pleasure because it’s fabulous.  And a twinge of sadness that I’m getting through my stash of this sell out fizz all too quickly!  Still Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines’ tasting reminded me of another top Tassie sparkler worth shelling out for – Pirie NV.  Here’s my note:

Pirie NV (Tasmania)

Where the Arras is creamy and sensual, the Pirie is razor-sharp, with remarkable delicacy to its finish.  Tight with a sherbetty lemon edge to its crunchy, crisp icing sugar dusted green apple fruit, it has sorbet-like clarity and precision.  Very long, very pure with a captivating, seemingly aerated bead, which thoroughly captures the essence of the wine on a finish which would make Michelin-starred foam supremo Ferran Adrià weep. It certainly passes the El Bulli provoke, surprise and delight test!  11.6%  RRP £30

Click here for my pick of Jukes’ Chardonnays, two of which (Giant Steps Sexton 2013, Josef Chromy 2013) I’ve subsequently bought from Oz Wines.