New sparkling range pays tribute to wine industry pioneer

Seppelt, whose Salinger is one of Australia's finest sparkling wines, has just released a new range of bubbles: Pierlot by Seppelt, which pays tribute to the brand's winemaking heritage. 

The new releases honour the legacy of Charles Pierlot, a Champenoise winemaker who pioneered Australian méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine production at Seppelt’s Great Western winery in 1890. 

The range features a Brut Cuvée and a Brut Rosé crafted by the Seppelt winemaking team, which is now led by Clare Dry (below). 

“We’re proud to release Pierlot by Seppelt, a series of wines which honour our past and help celebrate the future,” says Dry. 

“These wines are an elegant tribute to our sparkling roots and pair perfectly with food, friends and celebration.”

The wines are made using the three classic sparkling varietals; pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier sourced from Victoria’s cool-climate Henty region.

“The majority of grapes for this range are sourced from our Drumborg Vineyard – a special site first planted in 1964, with the primary aim to produce world-class sparkling wines,” says Dry. 

“It’s pleasing to craft two leading wine styles emblazoned with Charles Pierlot’s name - a gentleman who was instrumental in establishing Seppelt’s reputation for crafting quality méthode traditionnelle wines.”

Racegoers at this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival (yuck!) will be among the first to enjoy the wines, with Pierlot by Seppelt available at all Victoria Racing Club bars and restaurants.

The Pierlot by Seppelt wines (RRP $30), are now available from Dan Murphy’s and at select BWS stores nationwide. 

# Founded in 1851, Seppelt is one of Australia’s most historic wine producers. See www.seppelt.com.au

The more the meunier for Seppelt

Pinot Meunier is a red grape variety that is probably best known for its role in Champagne blends alongside pinot noir and chardonnay.

Also known as meunier or schwarzriesling, the grape is rarely seen as a stand-alone table wine variety - but a 2021 Drumborg Pinot Meunier is one of the starts of the newly-released 2022 Seppelt Luxury Collection.

Pinot Meunier comprises approximately one-third of all the grapes planted in Champagne but is fairly unusual in Australia.

When well made, as in the case of the 2021 Seppelt Pinot Meunier, it offers a lighter-style red that can be compared to gamay (the grape used in Beaujolais), and cool-climate pinot noirs.

At $36, the new Seppelt release offers a lot of bright refreshment and could probably be lightly chilled on a warmer day.

It is luscious with red fruits to the fore and has lovely balance at 13.5% ABV and has a delicate, subtle structure. 

It was the definite star for me alongside the very impressive lean and pure 2021 Drumborg Chardonnay ($40). The other Drumborg wines were a 2022 Riesling ($40) that needs time to settle, and a 2021 Pinot Noir ($45).

This year’s Collection comprises eight wines sourced from across Victoria’s Grampians, Heathcote and Henty regions.

All the wines have been crafted by senior winemaker Clare Dry, who joined Seppelt in 2020.

“Many of the wines were crafted in my first vintage at the helm of Seppelt and I’m thrilled to showcase my winemaking approach, building on over 170 years of heritage behind the label,” Dry says.

The Collection is led by the 2020 St Peters Grampians Shiraz, sourced from the Great Western Vineyard.

The four wines I tried are from the Drumborg Vineyard, one of the southernmost vineyards in mainland Australia.

“Each of the wines from this year’s Collection has a story to tell, from the elegance of St Peters to the ethereal Drumborg reds," says Dry. "The release is a showcase of our vineyards, viticulture and winemaking.

“The Drumborg wines in particular were a thrill to make, courtesy of a sensational vintage in 2021. Fruit was picked at optimum conditions, delivering parcels that were incredibly flavoursome, balanced and pure. The chardonnay is a real pride point as I’ve reworked the style significantly, creating a delicate wine which I believe captures the purity and intensity of the Drumborg site.”

The release also includes the 2021 Chalambar Grampians & Heathcote Shiraz and 2021 Jaluka Henty Chardonnay, along with the 2017 release of Salinger Vintage Cuvée.

The 2022 Seppelt Luxury Collection is available from seppelt.com.au

# Founded in 1851, Seppelt was a pioneer of sparkling wine in Australia in the 1890s and helped pave the way for cool-climate styles in Australia.

Impressive start for new Seppelt winemaker

New Seppelt senior winemaker Clare Dry is off to a good start with her first release as the venerable producer marks its 170th birthday.

Dry's 2021 Seppelt Drumborg Riesling from Henty is part of the 2021 Seppelt Luxury Collection launched this month. All the other new releases were made by her predecessor Adam Carnaby. 

The collection comprises seven wines sourced from regional Victoria: Grampians, Heathcote and Henty regions for a brand that was established in 1851. 

“It’s a privilege to launch the 2021 Seppelt Luxury Collection in honour of the icons of Australian wine  who have been at the helm of Seppelt," Dry said. 

"Names including Benno and Karl Seppelt, Charles Pierlot, Ian McKenzie, Colin Preece and most recently Adam Carnaby, have been transformational not only just for Seppelt, but the Australian wine industry in general.

"There is a little bit of each of them in these wines - and that’s pretty special. 

“The sole wine from vintage 2021, the Drumborg Vineyard Riesling, is my first Seppelt release. I experimented with different techniques including whole bunch pressing, hand pick with crush to press, and different levels of solids in the ferment. 

"The resulting wine is classic Drumborg, with tight mineral acid and a seamless palate of florals and citrus fruit with a hint of exotic spice."

The Drumborg retails for $40 and maintains the standards you would expect. It's dry, delicious and full of palate interest. I'll taste the shirazes over the next couple of weeks.