Tech stuff

How's it taste?

Positive yet delicate melon and nectarine with touches of white mushroom and brioche charm. Thrilling fruit line and length with an even mix of fine peach and fig giving extra subtle richness fruit lees, and stylish acid drive to the classy finish.

How was it made?

The production of “Methode Traditionnelle” sparkling wines has been an integral part of the winemaking at Blue Pyrenees for many years. Although handpicked fruit is desirable for the production of premium sparkling juices, daytime temperatures in most Australian wine regions mean that hand-picked fruit is often too warm when received into the press after a days picking. In 1992 the team at Blue Pyrenees decided to experiment with hand picking at night, under lights, to optimize both fruit condition and temperature. The results were an amazing improvement – crisper cuvee (free drained) juices of outstanding quality. The Midnight Cuvée was born. Nowadays the Blue Pyrenees team select the best fruit parcels, whilst on the vine, and continue to harvest at night, processing the fruit very rapidly, to generate the finest Chardonnay juices to use for the Midnight Cuvée. Although following the “methode traditionnelle” system is relatively expensive and time consuming, the rewards are evident in the glass.

Who made it?

Blue Pyrenees Estate, (formerly the Chateau Remy), was founded by Remy Martin in 1963. Passionate about discovering the potential for sparkling wine in cool climate conditions, the presence of Remy Martin in Australia paved the way for the likes of Champagne Houses Moet and Chandon as well as Louis Roederer to purchase vineyards and produce wine in Australia. Set amidst the idyllic blue-hued Pyrenees range in Western Victoria, the estate was later purchased in 2002 by Chris Smales and Andrew Koerner along with a small group of Sydney businessmen who continue to craft subtle and thought provoking styles from Pyrenees fruit. True to their origins, they are still producing beautiful sparkling wines too. A happy medium between ample sunshine and cool southern ocean winds ensures Blue Pyrenees grapes ripen at moderate temperatures, yielding vibrant fruit flavours. Various soil types are found at the Estate including brown sandy loam, gravel beds, rocky quartz, sandstone and clay. This diverse range ensures a dynamic range of wines with distinct flavour profiles. The Blue Pyrenees range includes Sparkling, Varietal and Reserve ranges as well as the Richardson and Museum series.