The Sydney International Top 100 has long been my favourite wine show. It involves the judges in a gruelling week of tasting, the last two and a half days tasting the wines alongside appropriate dishes. It may be fun but it's a hard slog. This process throws up many surprises with plenty of budget priced wines showing up their pricier counterparts. This year the Australia Day Sparkling Wine of the Year Trophy winner was the humble Jacobs Creek Sparkling Moscato NV. You might not expect the judges to pick this delicious yet slightly frivolous sweet bubbly when it was ranged against many of the country's finest (serious) sparkling wines. It's a significant achievement. I raved about the Jacobs Creek bubblies in Quaff 2010 and this result reinforces that view.

I remember a fabulous tasting several years ago in Melbourne of sublime Barolo, going back to the early 1930s, attended by many of Australia's best-known wine names. These Barolos are brilliant reds with massive tannins which build up in the mouth in a tasting like this. Immediately the tasting was finished, the group descended on an excellent Moscato from Asti (from the same locality as Barolo) to seek a refreshing sweet kick to cleanse the palate. So there is a place for these sweeter bubblies, even in the serious world of wine.

The Jacobs Creek Moscato is only 9 per cent alcohol so you can guzzle plenty and still be in good shape. Importantly, it's much less sweet than many of the other examples of the style on the market. Its fresh, vibrant acidity does cleanse the palate and prevent the wine from being cloying.

There's heaps of that lively grapey flavours, a hint of rose petal and lychees too, delicate balance: a good summery drink. Good to see it's selling well, too.

Rating: Bloody Good

Cost: $ 12.95

Winemaker: Bernie Hicken and the team.

Wide availability in all Australian states. www.jacobscreek.com

Reviewed: 5 February 2010