Thorn Clarke Sandpiper Brut Sparkling Barossa is made with 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay.
Both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes were picked at night, then crushed and de-stemmed immediately to ensure minimum skin contact and phenolic extraction. The grapes were fermented separately under cool conditions to ensure delicacy of the base wine. These base wines were then blended to obtain the desired characters. The base wine was re-fermented and left on lees for 6 months to maximize mouthfeel and complexity ot the wine.
The nose is showing some interesting nutty and yeasty characters with underlying strawberry fruit. On the palate this wine is a light bodied but full flavored sparkling with some great kiwi fruit and guava characters. Good mousse. Crisp and balanced. Serve on any occasion.

"Readers looking for an inexpensive sparkling wine should try the non-vintage Brut Reserve, made from equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that was aged on its lees for six months. A Champagne look-alike, it is surprisingly light on its feet, elegant, and fresh with good effervescence, and plenty of character. Drink it over the next year."
- Wine Advocate 9#167, Oct 2006, 89 pts

"Pink-tinged silver. Fresh, yeasty aromas of tangerine, pear and peach. Lush and loaded with fresh orchard fruit and soft citrus flavors, with fresh, juicy acidity providing lift and vivacity. Crisp, mineral-driven wine with good breadth and concentration, not to mention real personality. This smokes a number of non-vintage Champagnes, and it's less than half the price of most of them."
- Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, 88 pts