Who makes it?

Are You Game, Sparkling Non- Vintage is another quirky wine from Fowles, a family winery based in Victoria. It has the benefit of having a cellar door that is easy to reach on the highway between Melbourne and the NSW border. Being so close to Melbourne means that Fowles tends to have quite a few ranges to offer. Being such a busy cellar door and all. Whenever I look, there is another gem to seek in the range. 

They certainly don’t limit their varietal selection either. There at cellar door you will find Mourvedre, Arneis, and Sangiovese. These sit comfortably beside more traditional finds such as Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Are You Game? Shiraz is a good fine.  Just as intriguing as the savoury ‘Ladies who shoot their lunch’ Chardonnay. 

The Are You Game? range certainly has the ‘cute critter’ factor on the label too. The Guinea fowl should not be mistaken for a turkey, and this is not a turkey of a wine.

How do they make it?

Are You Game? Sparkling is rather unusual, even in Australia.. The wine may have either a Vermentino or a Chardonnay dominant base. Vermentino sparkling wines are getting easier to find these days both from Italy, the grape’s homeland and Australia too 

The wine has been fermented in stainless steel tank and this preserves the fruit. It undergoes second ferment in stainless steel tank as well. After all, the aim is to maintain fruit purity all the way through. You should also expect to find additions of Arneis and/ or Pinot Noir depending on the year of release.   

What does it taste like?

This fizz has a savoury spice aroma that sits well with the just ripe pineapple fruit and lemon. Once the wine is in the mouth though, some strawberry fruit joins in. It is a fuller bodied fizz with a drying finish. It is Brut level dryness with a residual sugar of around 11 g/l. The finish is balanced, lingering and tangy.

What to drink it with?

Seafood is a natural pairing with sparkling wines – grilled scallops or salt and pepper squid would be great. Or just some mini quiche or feta triangle appetisers. 

Cheese

Enjoy with fresh cheeses and bloomy white cheese. 

Quickie review « Sparkling Vermentino is hard to find and yet, when you taste this you will wonder why it is not everywhere? This is no turkey of a wine…»

Country of Origin:  Strathbogie Ranges, Australia
Tasting Date: April 2025
Price:  UK £17 | € | AU$ 24
Drink: now – 2+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like Australian Sparkling wines, why not check out:
Australian Sparkling wines – House of Arras style!
The Great Australian Fizz
d’Arenberg Pollyanna Polly

Visit Fowles Wine for more.