Bird in Hand has released the latest addition to its Nest Egg Series: 2020 Joy Sparkling, a limited-edition méthode champenoise style cuvée.

“The Nest Egg series highlights exceptional fruit parcels from outstanding vintages, crafted with meticulous attention to detail,” said Bird in Hand senior winemaker Sarah Burvill. 

“The 2020 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were particularly remarkable and resulted in the complex yet vibrant flavours of our latest release, the 2020 Joy Sparkling.”

The 2020 Joy Sparkling is composed of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, sourced from premium vineyards in the Piccadilly Valley, in the cradle of the Adelaide Hills wine region at altitudes of 450-600 metres. The delicate fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed with free-run juice transferred to a combination of French oak barrels and stainless-steel tanks. Following wild fermentation in barrels and selected yeast strains in tanks, each parcel was aged separately on light lees for six months to develop richness and complexity.

After secondary fermentation, the wine spent an additional 48 months on its yeast lees, in-bottle, before final disgorging. The result is a sparkling wine with aromas of red apple and citrus blossom, layered with nutty hazelnut undertones. Flavours of spiced honey mead, freshly baked brioche, red berry spice and lemon curd add depth, while toasted almonds lend warmth.

The release has been timed for Australian summer celebrations and has an RRP of $79.

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