Henry's Drive Shiraz Sparkling The Scarlet Letter 750ml

Winery: Henry's Drive

Varietal: Champagne Blend

There are few areas in the world with a reputation quite as famous and respected as that of Champagne in France, and almost every wine region on earth has imitated or has been influenced by the careful process mastered by the wineries of Champagne. However, it is in the grape varietals which thrive in this region where the secrets to the Champagne's success can be found – the acidic, flavorful Chardonnay grapes meeting the characterful Pinot Noir varietal, and coming together to produce something wonderful in the bottle. There are actually seven varietals allowed by French wine law for the production of Champagne wines, all of which are used by wineries to accentuate each others finest points and maintain the reputation of this very special region, the home to some extremely high quality grapes.

Region: Limestone Coast

In south-eastern Australia, close to the border of Victoria, we find the Limestone Coast – one of Australia's best known and most highly regarded wine regions which produces up to a third of the country's wines each year. Limestone Coast is notably for many reasons; the cool, maritime climate which allows the grapes to ripen slowly and fully makes it a favorite for vintners and wine lovers alike, and the high quality soil rich in minerals often results in characterful wines with plenty of terroir expression. Interestingly, unlike other Australian wine regions, the Limestone Coast has a very healthy water table, meaning that irrigation is no issue in the region, and the vines remain healthy even through the dry ripening season. Plenty of different varietals flourish there, and red wine grapes grow to full ripeness in the warmer areas of the coastline, whilst fine white varietals such as Viognier grow very well indeed in the cooler parts.

Country: Australia

Whilst every Australian state has some level of wine production, it is in South Australia and on the island of Tasmania where the finest wines are made to the highest quantities. Here, the scorching Australian sun is a little tamer, and the heat is tempered by brisk oceanic winds, making the climate of these regions ideal for vineyard cultivation. The Tamar Valley on Tasmania has been making waves internationally in recent years, as both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape varietals are thriving there and resulting in hugely flavorful wines, which are at once distinctly Australian, yet remain unique and interesting enough to surprise and impress. Elsewhere in the country, the Syrah grape (known locally as Shiraz) reigns supreme, as the long, hot summers allow these grapes to ripen fully and lend their intensely fruit-forward character to the ruby red Australian wines, which have such international appeal.