Overview
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.
We've partnered with Henkell, purveyors of quality bubbles, and rustled up five summer occasions to pair with a glass of sparkling. From celebrating the Sydney arts scene and LGBTQI+ community to honouring your love on Valentine's Day — these events require you to raise a glass of the good stuff. Yep, we've just given you five more reasons to crack the bubbly. You're welcome.
Pigalle, Sydney Festival.
SYDNEY FESTIVAL: JANUARY 9–27
Since 1977, Sydney Festival has fed our city with critical ideas, cutting-edge art and compelling performance. From January 9–27, the three-week festival is pulling no punches with a diverse program that showcases the best and brightest in the arts community. You can enjoy a raucous night of music and cabaret at Pigalle, partake in a silent disco at the State Library, experience the weightlessness of space on earth via the Moon Drop installation at Barangaroo, or check out powerful new theatre and art by First Nations artists in Blak Out. Once you've got your culture fix, grab a glass of Henkell Blanc de Blancs and debrief with your festival buddy.
TROPFEST: FEBRUARY 9
Tropfest — the world's largest short film festival — is back this summer, with 16 incredible finalist films premiering underneath the stars at the picturesque Parramatta Park on February 9. The festival promises an electric atmosphere, bursting with film-loving Sydneysiders, along with some cracking cinema. The best part? Tropfest is a completely free event with BYO permitted. So, pack a gourmet picnic — a selection of charcuterie and cured meats, perhaps — and a bottle of Henkell Trocken to toast the new wave of Aussie filmmakers. As always, films can be about anything but must include the Tropfest Signature Item, which for 2019 is 'candle'. Be sure to keep an eye out for wax and wicks.
VALENTINE'S DAY: FEBRUARY 14
Whether you believe Hallmark invented the holiday or not, Valentine's Day is still a good opportunity to show how much you appreciate your partner and crack a bottle of bubbly. It's a win-win. Forgo that passé Italian restaurant with those crazy V-Day crowds and inflated prices, and plan a romantic picnic instead. Cheese and sparkling is the quickest way to the heart, right? Well, at least we think so. Single? No dramas. Treat your ride-or-die bestie to the aforementioned spread and make them feel suitably special. Don't forget to pick up a kitsch Valentines card of the "I choo- choo- choose you" ilk, for a bit of a laugh.
Destination NSW.
MARDI GRAS: FEBRUARY 15 TO MARCH 3
You might think Mardi Gras is already sparkly enough — sequins, glitter, rhinestones, what more do you need? — but there's always room for more sparkles, darling. Pop a bottle of Henkell Blanc de Blancs then head along to one of the many Mardi Gras events and celebrate the LGBTQI+ community in the lead up to the main parade. The program covers everything from interactive cabaret banquets to queer burlesque and contemporary art shows; there's thought-provoking work which challenges the status quo and light-hearted art designed to make you laugh. More broadly, Mardi Gras gives Australians a chance to be free, have fun and advocate for diversity simultaneously. Now that's something to celebrate.
MOONLIGHT CINEMA: NOVEMBER 29 TO MARCH 31
Summer's balmy nights are certainly worth celebrating, and, there's no better way to do that than by spending a night at the Moonlight Cinema, sparkling in hand. This year's program is stacked with new and old cinematic gems — everything from Dirty Dancing to Bohemian Rhapsody will grace the silver screen. But even if the movie is a drag, the idyllic backdrop of Centennial Park (plus that aforementioned bubbly) will keep you entertained. While there are food trucks and a licensed bar onsite, Moonlight also allows BYO, which means you can go as cheap and cheerful or upscale as you like.
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.