Ed Carr releases the new

THE TEST OF TIME House of Arras releases its 2019 Vintage Collection

ED CARR, HOUSE OF ARRAS CHIEF WINEMAKER, IS TRAVELLING AROUND AUSTRALIA TO PRESENT THE RELEASE OF HIS LATEST VINTAGE COLLECTION - A GROUP OF FIVE STUNNING SPARKLING WINES UNDER THE HOUSE OF ARRAS LABEL, AUSTRALIA’S MOST AWARDED SPARKLING WINE BRAND.

Words Melissa Parker

Carr is a bit of a bubbles legend. He is one of Australia’s greatest sparkling winemakers, if not the greatest. He is the only non-champenois winemaker to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships. He is a global advocate for Tasmania as one of the best sparkling wineproducing regions in the world.

It was the journey to find the best sites for superior expressions of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier that led the Arras winemaking team to Tasmania.

Tasmania is blessed with the essential elements to produce world-class sparkling wine. It has a cold climate, ancient soils and boasts a pristine, natural environment unsullied by the pollutants of modern urban living. Each Arras sparkling represents all that is exceptional about this sparkling wineproducing region.

The Arras style is in the blending of the sub-regions where the fruit is sourced. The varietal expressions from the different sites, identified and developed by the Arras team over the years, are brought together to create wines on parity to the best in the world. It is because of this reputation the annual release of the vintage collection is highly anticipated.

When in discussion about his wines Carr speaks of the importance of the diversity Tasmanian sites for cultivating the very best and the unique vintage expressions they contribute to the blends. This interregional blending is the essence of Arras, and the Vintage Collection is Arras at its very best.

As much as these wines are the art of the vine and the maker, they are also very much expressions of the art of time. All have been aged on lees for nine years with the exception of Brut Elite, four years and the Late Disgorged 2004, twelve years.

In pursuit of the best, the House is not averse to making decisions that will allow the wines to be at their best. The House of Arras Rose 2009 has been released ahead of the 2008 because the warm and dry conditions of the 2009 vintage have meant the 2009 has reached maturity faster than the 2008

This marks the first time House of Arras has reversed the order of disgorgement for any of its aged wines.

“Acheiving the right time in tirage is the only way to allow the wine to reach its full potential, which is why producing a sparkling wine can be described as a fusion of art and science, and a craft that requires a lot of patience,” said Carr.

Since House of Arras was founded in 1995, Carr has perfected his craft and speaks of his life work with a passion that will see him continue for some time to come, creating the ‘rich tapestry’* that is the Arras signature style.

During our discussion Carr talks about retirement and muses about a life after Arras. Then he reminds himself he needs more time to wait for some of his finest wines to be realized. It is this test of time we can all be grateful for. Time keeps Australia’s greatest sparkling winemaker going back vintage after vintage to deliver Tasmanian sparkling wines at their finest.

‘Creating award-winning sparkling wine can only be mastered by perfecting the craft of patience to allow the wine to mature at its own pace and the experience to know when it is at its best – Ed Carr.

*’arras’ means rich tapestry

The House of Arras Vintage Collection release:

• Brute Elite NV • Rose 2009 • Blanc de Blancs 2009 • Grand Vintage 2008 • Grand Vintage Magnum 2007 • House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2004

House of Arras sparkling wines are available now.