The annual James Halliday Wine Companion Awards took place on 7 August in Melbourne. Each year, an expert tasting panel gather to select and celebrate Australia’s very best wines, winemakers, and wineries. The wines are judged in a variety of categories, and winners are featured in the annual Halliday Wine Companion Guide.
Tasmanian winery, House of Arras was crowned Sparkling Wine Varietal Winner 2020 for their Late Disgorged 2004, and awarded an incredible 99 point score. Thrilled with Wednesday night’s award, and the continued success of House of Arras sparkling wines, Chief Winemaker, Ed Carr explains, “To receive such a high point score and ultimately best sparkling wine award from such a revered team of wine critics is a fantastic endorsement and testament to the hard work and dedication of the House of Arras team. Our policy of sourcing premium Tasmanian fruit, meticulous winemaking practices and extended tirage maturation ensure we make wines of true quality and style. The Late Disgorged 2004 wine is the ultimate expression of the House of Arras style and it is great to see this recognition amongst the best of Australia’s sparkling wines.”
Reinforcing the award win, the James Halliday’s 2020 Wine Companion states, “The rise and rise of the fortunes of House of Arras has been due to two things: first the exceptional skills of winemaker Ed Carr; and second, its access to high quality Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. While there have been distinguished sparkling wines made in Tasmania for many years, none has so consistently scaled heights of Arras.”
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