d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV

The d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV is a beautifully balanced wine offering fruit and spice up front and a crisp dry finish. Pairing beautifully with meat dishes or event chocolate desserts, you could just as easily enjoy this wine without any food. Its fun, fresh and fruity all bundled up into a great Sparkling Red! 

I am very obsessed with Sparkling Wine. It’s no secret. Give me Champagne, Prosecco or Australian Sparkling and I’ll be a happy lady. My partner doesn’t mind it, but he doesn’t hold the same torch for it. That is unless it is Sparkling Red Wine!

Over the years of visiting wineries, we’ve definitely realised we have a soft spot for Sparkling Red Wine. We tend to come home with at least a bottle, if not two from each wine trip, and even are repeat offenders at some wineries where we really love theirs! So it was no surprise that on our trip to McLaren Vale, we came home with the d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV. It was just a surprise that my partner was happy to drink it so soon after our trip!

d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV is like Christmas but more refreshing

No trip to McLaren Vale would be complete without visiting the famous d’Arenberg cube. It is a tourist attraction for its architecture, but the wines are the biggest reason to visit! They have a fantastic tasting room with so many wines to try, you won’t know where to start. We had to be careful how many we tried as we’d just done a Shiraz blending class, but we made sure we had room for their Sparkling Red!

The d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV is made using Chambourcin and Graciano grapes. This already makes it a little different to many of the other Sparkling Reds you’ll see on the Australian market. Australia is known for its Sparkling Shiraz, and there are many wineries that do it very well. But to try something different is always a good thing – especially when the pay off is a wine like this!

The name comes from the block the wine is grown on. Shiraz didn’t grow well there, but Chambourcin did! The fruit is picked full ripe for maximum acidity and its bright colour, flavours and tannins. These make for a great Sparkling Red!

Why I loved it

There were plenty of things that I loved about the d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV. Firstly, the colour! It is deep crimson, almost purpose in the glass which is really different and unusual in a Sparkling Red. But I think the best thing about it is the flavour. On the nose, you get a real hit of sweetness and Christmas spice. Think poached fruits and spices – everything you love about Christmas cooking. This made me think the wine would be sickly sweet, as some Sparkling Shiraz is, but it couldn’t be further from it! The bubbles add a hit of acidity to a fruity flavour that is quite balanced and nowhere near as sweet as the nose. The fresh and vibrant acidity make the wine clean and refreshing to drink. It’s fun and fresh with enough fruit to balance out the dry finish, but not so much that it overpowers.

So who would love this wine? Well if you’re after something different to try from Sparkling, give this one a crack. It will be unlike anything you’ve tasted before! It’s also great for those that like their Sparkling not too sweet or too dry. Just plain refreshing!

What to enjoy it with

The d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV is easily paired with plenty of meals. Unlike a regular Sparkling wine, Sparkling Red is a bit heavier and so does pair very well with meat dishes. You could quite happily have this wine with a roast, ribs or even chocolate desserts.

Personally? I enjoyed this wine before dinner with a cheese platter. It may not have been the best pairing, but I really enjoyed sipping on this wine without a full meal. You really didn’t need it.

Pro tip: Sparkling Red also goes great with bacon and egg rolls!

The final word on the d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV

The d’Arenberg The Peppermint Paddock NV offers something different to your usual Sparkling Red. It isn’t overpowering in its spicy flavours and is vibrant and fresh. You can enjoy this wine however you like – with a roast and even chocolate, this wine pairs beautifully with heavy flavours, but can also be sipped on before dinner. The nose might be sweet, but the taste is balanced beautifully with a crisp, dry finish.