Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV

First Made in 1991, Nautilus Cuvee is among the finest in New Zealand. This Marlborough sparkling has remained consistent with the house style - a Pinot Noir Dominant blend with a low dosage to produce a refined, elegant style of wine with good structure and a long dry finish.

Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV - video

Two specific vineyard sites are managed to produce fruit for Nautilus Cuvee, one for Pinot Noir and one for Chardonnay, both located in the heart of the Wairau valley. Nautilus recognised that Marlborough’s cool climate was particularly suited to making quality Methode Traditionelle and we quickly introduced this wine to our portfolio.

Over the past 20 years, we have searched out special spots within the Marlborough region that give what we think are distinctive and exciting flavour profiles to the grapes grown there. Early plantings were on the alluvial flood plains of the Wairau River focussed around the Rapaura area.

Three vineyard sites are managed to produce fruit for Nautilus Cuvée, giving us a range of flavour influences. All grapes are handpicked and whole bunch pressed with only the finest free run juice reserved. The individual base wines are fermented with a selected champagne yeast and left of lees until undergoing a full malolactic fermentation in the traditional Champenoise style. Blending typically occurs in September, and at this stage a portion of reserve wine is introduced to add complexity and character to the Cuvée in a traditional non vintage style. Typically between 5% and 15%, the reserve wine, consisting of base wine held back from previous vintages, is used. The blend is then bottled and undergoes a secondary fermentation before being aged for a minimum of 36 months prior to disgorging and release.