You can’t lose with sparkling, but these new bottles really fit the bill.

Have you noticed we’re in a moment of glam, OTT and doing the most? Brides aren’t just having a second dress, they’re getting mid-wedding haircuts, birthdays are booking out weekends, and everyone is in Europe. Still! People are celebrating, and your calendar is filling up because of it. Most events can (and should) be celebrated with bubbles, and we’ve got a batch of new bottles from prestigious and mover-and-shaker winemakers so you’ll never get bored. Ahead, every occasion in your iCal, and the bottle to bring as your plus one.

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The 1st birthday party

You’ve seen your mates struggle through sleepless nights, teething and something called “leaps”, but they’ve made it a whole year, and while you, of course, have the obligatory toy for the bambino, it’s nice to recognise the true heroes of this story: the parents. Albert Lebrun Champagne Organic Brut NV is an organic Champagne made to have a perfect harmony between earth, vineyards and the human. And the result is delicious – subtle redcurrant and rhubarb on the palate with a delightfully fresh finish. New parents tend to be particularly worried about the futureof the planet (their pride and joy will inherit it), so this consideration won’t go unnoticed. Truly, nothing says, “one year down guys, just a lifetime to go,” than French bubbly.

The work frenemy’s promo drinks

So they got the promotion, not you. Fair dues, they earned it. The only thing left to do is to appear unbothered. Nothing says, “I am so, totally OK with this,” than a bottle of well-priced (not super expensive but by no means cheap) Champagne. You’re so classy. AR Lenoble Cuvée Intense Champagne NV has a soft nutty, brioche flavour with fine bubbles and a more fruity nose. The reserve wine was aged in magnums (which is considered to be the best format for ageing Champagne – slows oxidation and adds complexity). Oh, and yeah, you’ll hand it over and make sure everyone sees you do so with a sincere, “Congratulations!”, but then you’re absolutely opening it. This bottle is too nice not to taste.

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Seppelt Pierlot Pinot Noir for celebrations with BFFs

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The Wednesday night BYO with your BFFs

You’re tighter than tight but so are your schedules, so the midweek dinner is your weekly unbreakable meet up where you talk fast, laugh hard and get straight to the point. The location is a tried-and-tested BYO Japanese with the best karaage chicken, and you know what goes great with anything deep-fried? Bubbles! From the house that put Australian sparkling wine on the map, Seppelt Pierlot Pinot Noir/Chard/Meunier is white gold goodness. Got to share the really delicious stuff with the people you love most, right? Fine beads, persistent mousse, that Granny Smith apple and toasted bread flavour combo with a hint of a lemon curd tart. Mmmmm. Dessert, anyone?

The divorce party

They were young, dumb, and now it’s over. There’s no hurt feelings but your mate wants to celebrate and you’re there to back them 100 percent. Just as you did when they insisted on a Barbie-themed wedding. Toast to their new life (and Bumble account) with a bottle of Mirabeau La Folie Rosé Sparkling. It’s a pretty, pale lychee colour (will look great on the ‘gram) with really delicate bubbles. It’s fruity rather than floral – pineapple, peach, passionfruit – rounded by a honeyed oat flavour. It’s an ideal indulgent brunch sip, particularly when served by drag queens alongside pancakes. What the divorcee wants, the divorcee gets!

Divorce party with Mirabeau La Folie Rosé Sparkling Wine

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Your mum’s annual dinner party

It’s the one time of year (other than Christmas) where all your “aunties” and “uncles” need to give their advice, ask about your love life, and tell you to be kinder to your parents. Rather than bemoaning your attendance, clean-up, dress-up, show-up and make your mum proud. Bringing a bottle of Seppelt Pierlot Sparkling Rosé will complete the picture. The taste of strawberries and crisp red apples really comes through in the nose and palate of this bottle (smell and taste). It’s creamy with fine bubbles and has a certain elegance. Aunt Mary will approve.

The dress-up party

Is a Rock Idols dress-up party your idea of fun? No, not really. Particularly not when you read the invite properly and realised you had to have a karaoke song prepared, but you’re here now, you’ve spent a small fortune at Spotlight, and the wig looks good(ish), so lets do it. Go for the Italian bubbles tonight with a bottle of Porta Dante Organic Prosecco. Bigger bubbles, bigger energy. This particular bottle is meticulously made and a luminescent yellow colour making it extra lively. Mic drop.

Dress up and party with the Porta Dante Organic Prosecco

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Bachelorette party with Croser Non-Vintage Rosé

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The Bachelorette binge-watching party

The only way to watch these dating shows is in one go, with a lot of skipping the boring bits and chatting over the top. Plus, snacks and good wine. Croser Non-Vintage Rosé is made with 100% pinot noir fruits from the Adelaide Hills. It’s fermented partly in stainless steel, partly in oak, giving this sip complexity. It has a higher residual sugar level, which balances the naturally high acidity. If you were the bachelorette, and this was a rose ceremony, this rosé would get a rose (the one you really mean, not the one the producers made you pick). Be open to the journey, pals.

If sparkling is your thing, don’t miss our upcoming House of Arras Global Vintage Release Lunch on Sunday 6 November, 2022, at The Espy in Melbourne. Your ticket gets you an epic seafood feed and Australia’s best sparkling wine, of which you’ll be some of the first in the world to taste. Ed Carr, legendary winemaker for the Tassie-based House of Arras, will be your guide through the spectacular tastings – we’re talking Brute Elite Cuveé, Grand Vintage 2014, A by Arras Rosé and more. Seriously, what are you still doing here? Go buy your tickets now.