National Sekt Day: Sparkling Wine Day

National Sekt Day is on November 9th every year to celebrate Sekt, the German word for sparkling wine, in Australia. It’s a day to showcase the different styles of sparkling wines from Australia and to acknowledge the country’s wine history, winemaking innovation and growing popularity of sparkling wine with consumers.

What is Sekt in Australia

While Sekt means sparkling wine from Germany, the term has been adopted to include sparkling wines from Australia, especially those made using traditional methods. The Champagne method or method classique is used by many Australian winemakers to produce top quality sparkling wines that rival the best in the world.

Australia’s sparkling wine industry has grown significantly in recent years and regions like Tasmania, Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Hunter Valley have become well known for their high quality sparkling wines. The cool climate in these regions is perfect for growing the main grape varieties used in sparkling wine production – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

History of Sekt

The history of Sekt goes back to 19th century Germany where winemakers started to experiment with sparkling wines. The traditional method (Méthode Champenoise) was used to produce these fizzy wines and thus Sekt was born.

In the early 1900s Sekt became popular not only in Germany but also in neighboring countries like Austria and Switzerland. But World War I and II disrupted the European wine industry and production and demand fluctuated.

By the mid 20th century Sekt was on the rise as consumers were looking for alternatives to still wine. German winemakers focused on improving their sparkling wines with more emphasis on grape selection and production methods.

Sekt in Australia

Sekt was introduced to Australia with the arrival of German migrants in the 19th century. They brought their winemaking traditions including sparkling wine production which they adapted to the Australian climate and soil.

The first commercial sparkling wines in Australia were made in the late 1800s and early 1900s. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that Australian Sekt really took off. In this period several trailblazing winemakers wanted to produce top quality sparkling wines using traditional methods.

A turning point in the history of Australian sparkling wine was the establishment of House of Arras in Tasmania by Ed Carr, a well known winemaker. Carr’s commitment to tradition and his love of premium sparkling wine put Australian Sekt on the world map.

As Australian winemakers moved to cooler climates like Tasmania and Adelaide Hills they found the perfect conditions to grow the main grape varieties for high quality sparkling wines. The focus on quality production led to the emergence of several big sparkling wine producers in the country and thus a new era for Australian Sekt.

What is Australia Sekt Day

Australia Sekt Day serves several purposes:

1. Quality Celebration: It’s an opportunity to celebrate the quality and variety of Australian sparkling wines. Winemakers across the country use this day to showcase their best Sekt and sparkling wines and highlight the craftsmanship and hard work that goes into each bottle.
2. Education and Awareness: It’s a great opportunity to educate consumers about the different types of sparkling wines in Australia. Events, tastings and workshops are held to help wine lovers understand the sparkling wine production process, including terroir, grape selection and aging techniques.
3. Supporting Local: Australia Sekt Day encourages consumers to get to know and support local wineries. With so many Australian producers making great sparkling wines there’s never been a better time to try them.

End

National Sekt Day is all about celebrating the craftsmanship and creativity of sparkling wine in Australia. As Australia gets more recognition for its Sekt and sparkling wines this day is a reminder to appreciate the winemakers and the great wines they produce.