Bethany Brut Sparkling 2006

NOTES

Johann Gottlob Schrapel and his family arrived in South Australia from Silesia on the ship “George Washington” in 1844, just eight years after the colony was settled. Like many of their fellow Germanic migrants they made their way by ox cart to Bethany, the Barossa Valley’s first settlement, where they established a home and cleared the land to grow crops and graze animals. The Schrapel’s planted their first vineyard in 1852 from cuttings carefully nursed from Europe. A wine cellar was also built, but despite Johann’s reputation as an early colonial winemaker, the family concentrated on grape growing rather than winemaking for the next four generations.

More than a century later in 1981, Johann’s fifth generation descendants, brothers Geoff and Robert Schrapel, established Bethany Wines in a quarry, where the pioneers had hewn stone for their homes, high in the Barossa Ranges overlooking the family’s vineyards and the historic village of Bethany.

TASTING NOTES

This fine Australian sparkling wine was made from 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay grapes grown on the Schrapel Family Vineyards in the Barossa. It was traditionally fermented in and disgorged from this bottle. The initial mousse gives way to an exceptionally fine and persistent bead. The colour is brilliant pale straw, while the aroma displays restrained citrus and some “bready” characteristics. It has a smooth and creamy mouthfeel and finishes with a very pleasing “zing”. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with oysters natural.