House of Arras Exclusive Tasting at Matteo's restaurant
An exclusive tasting with Ed Carr, House of Arras Chief Winemaker held at iconic Matteo's restaurant, was a memorable afternoon. Ed told us the aim of House of Arras is to make the best sparkling in Australia and House of Arras has achieved the acclaim of best sparkling wine at the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion awards with House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004 sparkling.
This was a tasting of note. Fresh with the news that not only did House of Arras score the winning best sparkling wine in Australia at the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion awards, but their entries achived the top 4 places in the category. Their best sparkling wine in Australia James Halliday scored an amazing 99 points.
We were treated to a fascinating and inspiring session with Ed Carr learning about the sparkling wines and their background and enjoying the House of Arras annual release a vintage collection of world class refined sparkling wines. We enjoyed tasting 5 premium sparkling wines incl House of Arras 2009 Vintage Rosé and House of Arras 2009 Vintage Blanc de Blancs.
Intimate media tasting fresh from the news of House of Arras award winning wines at 2020 Halliday Wine Companion awards.
Matteo's restaurant provided a stunning range of canapes to experience the sparkling wines featuring natural oyster with finger lime dressing; Hiramasa Kingfish crudo with shrimp remoulade; Crumbed zucchini flowers filled with Taleggio heritage beetroot with aged balsamic dressing; Vitello Tonnato thinly sliced White Rocks veal with tuna tartare, whipped cod roe, purple Congo potato crisps and bottarga; Spicy-fried Rannoch Farm quail drumstick; and Flinders Island wallaby brodo, braised wallaby tail tortellini, Otway shiitake, ice plant and tendon puffs.
Flinders Island wallaby brodo, braised wallaby tail tortellini, Otway shiitake, ice plant and tendon puffs.
Award winning House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004 sparkling.
We learned from Ed that House of Arras is not a regional name but the word Arras means "intricate tapestry", a perfect description of House of Arras sparkling wines. House of Arras sources the best sparkling fruit cold climate vineyards in Tasmania. In deciding where to base themselves and source premium cold climate wines they compared Tasmanian vineyards to Adelaide Hills and Yarra Valley, and felt Tasmania suited the style of House of Arras best.
House of Arras sources fruit from right across Tasmania so that its sparkling wines are blends of premium fruit. Progressively they have increased volume and number of vineyards they are in relationship with so there is more depth every year.
A point of difference is the House of Arras vintage wines. The youngest wine is from the 2015 vintage while they oldest release is from the 2004 vintage. Of course as wines are older the price goes up. House of Arras is premium in every way from handpicked fruit to the premium juice to 10% fermented in oak. Many vintages spend a minimum of 3 years on lees.
Personally I loved the elegance of House of Arras sparkling wines, the mature yeast characteristics, the fine bubbles and the colour (older the wines the more rich golden the colour). In particular I appreciated the deep rose gold colour of the vintage Rose. House of Arras stands up proudly against fine French champagne as an alternative.
Toasting the award winning House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004 sparkling.
Chief Winemaker Ed Carr even gave us tips on drinking sparkling wines such as "Don’t use detergent when cleaning. Scratch glasses to allow the bead of the bubbles to form. Use lint when cleaning glasses also for beads to form."
Highly recommend these premium wines. Thanks also to Dialogue PR.
Wines experienced at our tasting:
NV House of Arras Brut Elite
2009 House of Arras Rose
2009 House of Arras Blanc de Blancs
2008 House of Arras Grand Vintage
2007 House of Arras Grand Vintage from Magnum
2004 House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged
@houseofarras
#HouseOfArras #BestSparklingWine