Thompson Estate Zero Dosage Sparkling 2019

Low Sulphites

Because this wine is made in a traditional, low-intervention style with zero dosage (no sweetened liqueur added at disgorgement), it generally requires less sulphur dioxide adjustment at the final stage than many richer, higher dosage sparkling wines. There are still naturally occurring sulphites present, and a small protective addition is usually made during winemaking, but producers of bone dry zero dosage styles tend to work with very gentle sulphur regimes so the wine stays bright and expressive rather than heavily preserved.

If you are sensitive to preservatives and find some sparkling wines a bit “sulphury”, this lean, ultra dry style can often feel cleaner and less confected, letting the citrus, mineral and brioche characters shine. Anyone with a diagnosed sulphite allergy should still check the label and follow medical advice, but for many people who simply prefer wines made with a lighter hand in the cellar, zero dosage sparkling is often one of the most delicate options in the bubbly world.

Tasting Notes

Colour
Pale golden with brilliant clarity and a fine, persistent bead.

Aromatics
Clean, fresh and complex. Elegant lemon and lime lift with nectarine blossom, white peach and subtle stone fruit. Hints of oyster shell, wet stones and an appetising brioche and croissant note from long lees ageing.

Palate
Elegant citrus flavours mirror the nose. Lemon pith, grapefruit and green apple sit over subtle oak and yeast autolysis, adding toast and nuttiness without heaviness. The palate is crisp, refreshing and lively, with very fine acid lines and a silky mousse.

Finish
Dry, long and poised. Citrus zest and savoury brioche notes linger, making this a perfect aperitif or food sparkling for those who like it seriously dry.

Winemaking and Vintage

Region
Margaret River, Western Australia

Blend

• 56% Pinot Noir

• 44% Chardonnay

Winemaking

• Hand picked in the cool of the morning

• Whole bunch pressed to preserve delicacy and purity

• Juice cold settled, then fermented in older French barriques

• Barrel matured for six months

• Made by methode traditionnelle, secondary ferment in bottle

• Aged on yeast lees in bottle for Siz years before disgorgement

• No sugar added at dosage, resulting in a true zero dosage style

Vintage 2019
A long, wet winter recharged the soils and set up healthy canopies. The growing season was largely cool and mild, with lower day and night temperatures allowing for slow, even ripening. Red varieties developed full flavour and the absence of heat spikes helped the whites retain delicate aromatics. Wilyabrup’s coastal influence and cooling sea breezes kept disease pressure low and preserved natural acidity.

Technical

• Alcohol: 11.7%

Serving and Cellaring

• Serve well chilled at 6 to 8 °C

• Ideal as an ultra dry aperitif or with food

• Drink now for maximum freshness, but will hold and gain more savoury, toasty complexity over the next 3 to 5 years

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Freshly shucked oysters with lemon

• Natural prawns or scallops with citrus and herbs

• Tempura vegetables or lightly fried whitebait

• Goat cheese tart or simple cheese and charcuterie boards

• Sashimi, sushi or crisp salt and pepper squid

FAQ 🧐

What does zero dosage mean?
Zero dosage means no sugar is added at disgorgement. Many sparkling wines receive a small addition of sweetened wine to round the palate. Here, nothing is added, so you get a pure, bone dry expression of fruit, acidity and lees complexity.

Will it taste harsh because there is no sugar?
Some zero dosage wines can feel a bit severe, but this one has had nine years on lees, which builds creaminess and flavour. The acidity is fine and chalky rather than sharp, so the wine is dry but balanced and moreish.

How does it compare to Prosecco or classic Brut?
Compared to Prosecco it is drier, more complex and more mineral. Versus a standard Brut, which often has a small amount of residual sugar, this is leaner and more savoury, closer to an extra brut or brut nature grower Champagne in style.