Five Summer Occasions that Should Be Paired with a Glass of Sparkling
Because we all want a reason to pop the bubbly more often.
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There's something momentous about opening a bottle of sparkling — unwiring the muselet, anticipating the dramatic pop and then the subsequent hiss as the bubbles start to fizz to the top — it signals celebration. We toast with it on New Year's Eve; crack it open to celebrate promotions, birthdays and engagements — but you needn't wait for one of these situations to pop the bubbly. Sometimes it suffices to just toast the sunny days ahead.
Well, Melbourne offers no shortage of opportunities to knock back a glass or two in the sun, whether it's at one of the many BYO cultural events or just enjoying a balmy weekend with friends. We've partnered with Henkell, purveyors of quality bubbles, and rustled up five summer occasions perfect for that glass of sparkling.
CATCH UPS WITH FRIENDS
Enjoy your time off and use the Christmas and New Year period to catch up with some old pals over some delicious food. Making a home-cooked meal for your guests sounds appealing, but once the summertime heatwave hits, sometimes it's best to leave behind the pots and pans and escape to one of Melbourne's top-notch BYO restaurants.
Keeping the occasion feeling special is easy when you can toast to your reunion over some Henkell Blanc de Blancs. Just some of our favourite dining options include Malaysian eatery Mamak or Jim's Greek Tavern for some Mediterranean delights.
HIKES WITH A VIEW
There's a wealth of great hikes you can easily reach from Melbourne, but few are as brilliant as the Two Bays walk around the Mornington Peninsula. The longest continuous walk in the region, highlights along the way include panoramic views from the top of Arthur's Seat and the striking Kings Falls.
While the entire walk is 26 kilometres, there are plenty of idyllic spots to rest along the way and take in the beautiful scenery. Set about two hours from Melbourne, once you've completed this epic journey, soak up the fresh air perched high on the mountainside with an elevated picnic — elevated in height and class with a cheeky bottle of Henkell Trocken.
A DIP AND LUNCH IN THE PARK
Located just 20 kilometres north of the city, Plenty Gorge Park is home to one of the best tucked away spots found anywhere in Melbourne. That'd be Blue Lake, a once bustling mineral quarry that closed down in the 1970s but has become rejuvenated with picturesque parkland and a swimming hole that's a great way to avoid the heat.
While the sweaty crowds are scrambling for space at the beach or some inner-city pool, Blue Lake has got more than enough room for everyone. Take a dip in the picturesque waters early in the day, and then head inside the park to find yourself a shady spot, set down your picnic basket and pop open a bottle of sparkling.
SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS
Celebrating Shakespeare Under The Stars' 30th anniversary, The Australian Shakespeare Company returns to Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens from December 21 until February 23 to present the dark tragedy of Macbeth. Featuring an all-Australian cast, including Nathaniel Dean and Alison Whyte, the performance happens Tuesday to Sunday each week.
Definitely one of the classier ways to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine, make sure you pack a decadent picnic of your favourite cheeses and charcuterie. Also, get down to the gardens early to catch the stunning sunset over the beautiful surrounds before the show starts at 8.30pm.
PICNICS IN THE CITY
If staying in town is more your thing, you can't go wrong with a picnic amid the sprawling gardens of the Abbotsford Convent. Hidden away close to the boundary of Studley Park, it's one of the best places around to spend a lazy summertime Sunday without having to travel far.
And it's not just the surrounding landscape that's beautiful. Inside the historic walls of the convent is Australia's largest multi-arts precinct. These days, more than 100 local creatives and arts organisations call the convent home with the summery gardens often coming to life with a variety of public exhibitions and performances. Pour a glass of Henkell Trocken and enjoy.
Summer is here and it's time to pop the bubbly. Pick up a bottle of Henkell Blanc de Blancs or Henkell Trocken for your next sparkling occasion.
