The History and Process Behind Midnight Cuvée: A Sparkling Innovation

At Blue Pyrenees Estate, sparkling wines have long been an integral part of our winemaking story. But one of our standout creations, Midnight Cuvée, is more than just a beautiful bottle of bubbles—it represents our commitment to both tradition and innovation in winemaking.

A Sparkling Legacy: The Birth of Midnight Cuvée

The story of Midnight Cuvée begins in 1992, a year when our winemakers decided to push the boundaries of sparkling wine production. But the foundation for this innovation was laid decades earlier.

Blue Pyrenees Estate was established in 1963 by the renowned French Cognac house Rémy Martin, under the name Château Rémy. Originally set up to produce brandy, the first vines planted were Ugni Blanc, a classic Cognac varietal. But John Robb, the winery’s first manager, saw the potential for something greater. He began experimenting with French grape varieties, including Shiraz, setting the course for our evolution into a premium wine producer.

By 1982, Château Rémy became Blue Pyrenees Estate, and in 2019, the Richmond-Smith family took ownership, continuing the commitment to crafting wines that honour both our history and our Pyrenees home. It was this spirit of innovation that led to the creation of Midnight Cuvée.

For many years, we had been producing sparkling wines using the Methode Traditionnelle—the classic process of fermenting the wine in the bottle. However, when it came to harvesting premium fruit for sparkling wine, we faced a challenge.

In most Australian wine regions, daytime temperatures are often too warm for hand-harvested fruit. The warmth of the fruit when received into the press can negatively impact the juice quality. This is where our team at Blue Pyrenees Estate set out to make a change.

A Night Under the Stars: The Innovation

In 1992, we decided to try something different. Instead of harvesting during the heat of the day, we took advantage of the cooler evening temperatures and began hand-picking our fruit at night, under lights. The idea was simple: by harvesting in cooler conditions, we could optimise both the temperature and the condition of the fruit.

The results of this night harvesting were remarkable. The cooler temperatures helped preserve the freshness of the fruit, ensuring that the juice that was extracted was of the highest quality. What followed was the creation of a crisper cuvée (the free-drained juice) with outstanding natural acidity and freshness. It was this unique process that led to the birth of Midnight Cuvée.

The Process: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

Midnight Cuvée is made using the Methode Traditionnelle process, the same method used to create the finest sparkling wines in the world. The base wine, made from premium hand-picked fruit, undergoes primary fermentation in the bottle, where it develops complexity and texture over time.

The key difference, however, is the fruit. Harvested under the cover of night, the cooler conditions allow the fruit to retain higher acidity, which is crucial in creating a bright, crisp sparkling wine. This acidity, paired with the quality of our vineyards, gives Midnight Cuvée its signature freshness and elegance.

Once the grapes are pressed, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. This natural fermentation produces the bubbles we know and love in sparkling wine, while also imparting a delicate complexity and smoothness. After months of aging on lees (the dead yeast cells), the wine is disgorged, removing the sediment, and finally, it is ready to be enjoyed.

A Wine With Character

The result of this process is a wine that embodies both our heritage and our ongoing commitment to innovation. Midnight Cuvée is a sparkling wine that captures the essence of the Pyrenees region–elegant, fresh, and full of character. It’s a wine that reflects the hard work, passion, and attention to detail that goes into every bottle at Blue Pyrenees Estate.

From its origins as an experiment in night harvesting to its current status as one of our most celebrated wines, Midnight Cuvée is a true reflection of our philosophy: always staying true to our roots, while exploring new ways to bring out the best in the fruit and the land we work with.

So the next time you pop a bottle of Midnight Cuvée, you can enjoy the bubbles knowing that each sip is the result of a blend of history, tradition, and a touch of innovation—harvested under the stars and crafted with care.

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