Battle of the bubbles

Australia’s top sparkling winemaker, Ed Carr, is looking anxiously at the calendar in the run-up to Christmas. Of the 25 sparklings he makes for the Accolade group, Carr is responsible for seriously high-end bubbles, the kind taking on the French at the cash register this festive season. Will Australian drinkers stand by the home team? Carr hopes for a little patriotism but he’s realistic. With the price of quality champagne continuing as low as $40 and $50 a bottle, it’s another tough year for Australian sparkling winemakers, writes Jeni Port in The Age.