The 25 Swan Valley Sparkling Wines of Christmas 2014 – 4th December
Garbin Estate Sparkling Gold Leaf Semillon NV
Who doesn’t like a bit of gold shimmer in their lives right? This is one of the most perfect bubbles for Xmas as it has that extra special edge to it with the beautiful gold leaf swirling around in the bottle. Garbin Estate have only just released their special gold leaf bubbles and they only do it for Christmas so it’s definitely a special one to get your hands on if you can.
This particular bubbles is a sparkling Semillon which also sets itself apart from many of the other bubbles on the market as it’s not your typical grape variety for sparkling wine production. The gold leaf is added right before the cork is popped on the bottle by the Garbin team. You can buy this beauty at the cellar door for $50.
Tasting Note
On the eye it’s a pale gold colour with very small fast-moving bubbles. On the nose it has beautiful brioche and lemon curd notes. And yes before you ask, Gold Leaf is completely fine to digest. After doing a bit of reading up on it, some resources suggested that eating gold has health benefits like increasing IQ, helps to regenerate organs, is effective in managing rheumatoid arthritis and so on. Crazy stuff! To me it just seems luxurious! Anyway on the palate it is super dry with flavours of grapefruit and apples, the high acidity would be a great match to any oily or fatty foods you may eat on Christmas day such as a beautiful fresh smoked salmon. Plus I am sure anyone who has a bottle of this waiting in their stocking will be very pleased indeed!
About Garbin Estate Wines
Garbin Estate was established in 1956 by Duje Garbin who immigrated to Western Australia from the Dalmatian Coast. The business has since been passed onto son, Peter and his wife Katrina who has taken Garbin Estate from being a bulk producer to making boutique red, white, sparkling and fortified wines.
The Garbin’s have spent a lot of time over the past 15 years on upgrading their winery equipment, establishing a vineyard in Gingin (90 minutes from the Perth CBD) and doing up their processing area and cellar door. The cellar door was currently being updated in October when I visited, so I am looking forward to seeing the updates next time I go back.
I was really excited that the Garbin’s wanted to be a part of this project as in terms of sparkling wines in the Swan Valley they are specialists, having been specialising in methode traditionelle for the last 6 years! Peter and Katrina also offer a contract methode champenoise disgorging and riddling service to many other wineries in the Valley.
Contact Garbin Estate Wines
- Garbin Estate Wines website
- Garbin Estate Wines Facebook page
- Address: 209 Toodyay Road, Middle Swan 6056 WA
- Phone: (08) 9274 1747
- Email: [email protected]
