As champagne prices continue to soar, finding excellent and affordable Australian sparkling wine has become a festive challenge. Yet, against the odds, a host of local producers are crafting exceptional bottles that rival their imported counterparts, offering superb quality across every price point.
Exceptional Value: Australian Sparkling Under $30
Despite a tightening market, several standout Australian sparklers deliver remarkable quality without breaking the bank. These wines prove that celebration need not come with a luxury price tag.
Billy Button NV Prosecco, Alpine Valleys, Victoria (RRP $25)
Crafted by renowned winemaker Jo Marsh, this vibrant non-vintage Prosecco from her Billy Button label offers cracking value. It's a bright, fruity, and fresh fizz, perfect for a warm day. For those preferring a spritz, it pairs beautifully with local aperitifs like Beechworth Bitters' Yuzucello, Bass & Flinders' Mistelle Rouge, or Saison Aperitifs' Spring Rhubarb Vermouth.
Sittella NV Chenin Blanc Brut, Swan Valley, WA (RRP $25)
This off-dry chenin blanc brut is a crowd-pleaser, boasting crisp notes of lemon zest, pear, and green apple. With twelve months on lees adding a creamy texture, it's a serious yet approachable wine that punches well above its weight, as proven by its perfect pairing with fried chicken and chilli jam.
Best's Great Western 2024 Blanc de Noir, Great Western, Victoria (RRP $30)
An intriguing take on shiraz, this 'white from black' sparkling is brisk and aperitif-style. It delivers a surprising profile of strawberries, raspberries, apricot, and a hint of pastry, offering excellent value and an unexpected drinking experience.
Mid-Range Marvels: Sparkling Wines Under $50
Stepping up in price brings greater complexity and craftsmanship, often through extended ageing. These bottles represent some of the best value in Australian sparkling.
Jones Winery 2025 J6 Petillant Marsanne, Rutherglen, Victoria (RRP $35)
This left-of-centre sparkler made from the uncommon marsanne grape is bright, zippy, and intriguing. With notes of citrus zest and honeysuckle, it's an easy-drinking, buy-now option for pet-nat enthusiasts.
Elan Vineyard 2019 Blanc de Blanc, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria (RRP $45)
A quiet staple for informed drinkers, this wine's four years on lees has developed beautiful layers of brioche, toasted nuts, and preserved lemon. With a fine mousse, it's a refined start to any dinner party, especially paired with smoked salmon.
Poachers Vineyard NV Blanc de Blanc, Canberra District, NSW (RRP $45)
Proving Canberra's sparkling credentials, this chardonnay-based wine offers pear and quince notes followed by a distinctive baked-goods character of biscuits and brioche. It's an ideal companion for festive seafood.
Luxury and Celebration: Premium Bottles Over $50
For special occasions or a true treat, these premium Australian sparklings showcase the height of local craftsmanship, with extended lees ageing and meticulous production methods.
House of Arras Brut Elite Rosé 1801, Pipers River, Tasmania (RRP $68)
From the legendary Ed Carr, this wine helped redefine Australian sparkling. This dry, bright rosé, with red fruits and a sourdough note, celebrates the label's 30th anniversary with innate elegance and a persistent bead.
Printhie Wines 2016 Swift Vintage Brut, Orange, NSW (RRP $70)
An astonishing value proposition, this sparkling spends eight years on lees—a mark of luxury houses—for under three figures. The result is a beautiful tension between crisp green apple and rich notes of nougat and brioche.
Bobby Lowe 2018 Zinfandel Cuvee, Mudgee, NSW (RRP $80)
Christmas in a bottle. This unique zinfandel-based sparkler offers boozy pudding vibes and nutmeg spice. It's dry, textural, and creamy, pairing perfectly with glazed ham or Christmas pudding.
Henskens Rankin 2019 Brut Rosé, Southern Tasmania (RRP $105)
Representing the pinnacle of craft, this wine is hand-riddled and disgorged after nearly six years on lees. Complex and layered, with notes of raspberry and toasted almond croissant, it offers a prestige champagne experience at a fraction of the price.
This festive season, Australian winemakers provide a sparkling solution for every palate and purse, ensuring your celebrations are well and truly bubbly.
