Villa Sandi - Prosecco “Il Fresco” Spumante DOC Brut Treviso

I don’t need an excuse to drink Sparkling Wine, but warm weather certainly gets me to think about it more often. And when I’m thinking about a specific type or style of wine that means I’m much more likely to reach for it as well. Casual warm weather gatherings call for something fun. And fun is definitely one of the words I associate with Prosecco. Today I’ll look at a Prosecco from the Veneto that is perfectly primed for warm weather drinking. The Villa Sandi Prosecco “Il Fresco” Spumante DOC Brut Treviso was produced using fruit sourced in Italy’s Veneto region. This offering is 100% Prosecco. After pressing and racking the wine is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Secondary fermentation with select yeasts occurs at approximately 15 degrees Celsius. Once fermentation is stopped and the wine has had time to settle it’s bottled. This offering has a suggested retail price of $12.99.

Citrus and melon aromas fill the nose of this Prosecco along with bits of orchard fruit and a touch of vanilla bean. The palate shows some hints of flaky biscuit and brioche along with apple notes and a touch of yeast. This finish has good length with crisp acidity. A touch of cream closes things out.

This is a nice Prosecco for the price point. It’s a delicious wine to drink on its own or to pair with light foods. It’s a perfect choice for a warm weather brunch. This wine is refreshing and for its reasonable price point most can afford to drink it regularly. I suggest doing precisely that.

Mumm Napa Valley - Cuvée M

With the end of the year near my mind and my appetite is still pretty focused on Sparkling Wine. Mumm Napa Valley is one of the California producers that’s been providing consistent and well priced Sparkling offerings. They’re a go to producer in California. Today I’ll look at one of their current releases. Sometime soon I’ll also be looking at a couple of selections from GH Mumm as well, so please stay tuned. The Mumm Napa Valley Cuvée M was produced using fruit sourced from over 50 vineyards. This selection is a blend of Chardonnay (48%), Pinot Noir (43%), Pinot Gris (6%), and Pinot Meunier (3%). Each lot was kept separate during the first fermentation. Aging on yeast then occured for approximately 18 months. After final blending and dosage another it’s allowed to resolve itself in bottle for another 3 months prior to release. This offering has a suggested retail price of $20.

Aromas of lemon zest and ginger fill the nose of Cuvée M. Flavors of Asian pear, yellow cling peach, nectarine and recurring wisps of crème fraiche are readily apparent through the medium bodied plate of this wine. Biscuit, brioche, elements of yeast and a wallop of spices all emerge in the substantial finish which lingers well after you swallow the last sip.

Cuvée M from Mumm Napa Valley is an excellent value. It outshines its $20 price point by leaps and bound. While it’s surely delicious on its own, this is precisely the sort of Sparkling wine that comes to mind for me when I have Brunch in mind. When you take into account the modest price, it's also one most can indulge in regularly.

Cupcake Vineyards - NV Brut Rosé

Over the last couple of years Cupcake Vineyards has emerged as an interesting source for wine. They offer an ever increasing, eclectic portfolio of releases sourced the world over that deliver solid (or better) quality at prices that most folks can afford on a regular basis. Today I’ll look at one of their Sparkling Wine efforts. The Cupcake Vineyards Brut Rosé was produced using 100% French Pinot Noir. After gentle pressing the juice is cold fermented, over a couple of weeks, in stainless steel. After the lots are assembled it undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle followed by aging on the lees. It’s then riddled and corked prior to release. The whole process spans approximately 2 years, 10,000 cases of this sparkling wine were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $15.99.

Things start of with a classic salmon colored hue, lovely and typical for Rosé Sparklers. Aromas of wild strawberry lead the nose underscored by touches of crème fraiche. This wine has a substantial palate that features red cherry, strawberry and an overall mélange of juicy red fruits including watermelon. Wisps of biscuit and ginger are part of the finish along with creamy scone. The finish is noteworthy in its range for both length and structure.

What I love most about this Non Vintage Brut is how versatile it is. It’s delicious sipped by itself but will also pair well with a host of foods both sophisticated and casual. I had this wine alongside a grilled cheese sandwich of Muenster cheese on 12 grain bread; it was a terrific match. The modest price tag makes it a wine you can open any day of the week, the quality makes it something you’ll be happy to serve to guests.

Visiting Domaine Carneros in Napa

Every time I travel to California Wine Country I undergo a lot of internal tussling. Honestly long before I even book a flight I’m thinking about where I want to go to taste wine. There are of course hundreds of options. But making the choice even tougher is the lure of old favorites, sitting on my shoulder and whispering in my ear like a comfortable, well known angel.  There’s something to be said for revisiting something you love, particularly the attraction of new vintages. On the other shoulder sits the unknown. This angel doesn’t look familiar but he whispers to me about unusual delights that I have yet to experience. In the end I try to strike a balance between the two with the unknown angel getting a little more of my attention. Each trip I also attempt to come up with some places I have been meaning to visit but somehow have managed to elude me. I visited one such spot a couple of days ago, Domaine Carneros. I’ve driven past Domaine Carneros more often than I could possibly count, and I’ve had some of their wine before. But for one reason or another I was always passing by on my way somewhere with a clock ticking. I had a 3 PM appointment for a tour and tasting and I arrived in their entryway just before that and was warmly greeted. Moments later a gentleman by the name of Jean Claude came over and introduced himself. He was our guide for the tour, and so much more. I’ve been on many wine tours and it was immediately obvious that this was going to be a noteworthy one. Jean Claude has a passion for his subject, an ability to read his audience that many don’t posses, and enough personal warmth to fill a room. The tour I was on had a total of 10 people on it; Jean Claude managed to connect on some level with every one of them. Along the way he showed us around the facility and told us about the history of Domaine Carneros as well as the Carneros appellation itself. We tasted a quartet of Sparkling Wines on our journey, from their most widely available release, to wines that are a bit harder to come by on store shelves. In short a well planned cross section of their Sparkling Wines. In an engaging and easy to follow manner that never spoke down to anyone Jean Claude went through the production of Sparkling Wine. As we did this we made our way through the facility and saw different parts of it. It was an A to Z on Sparkling Wine that provided good basic knowledge for a newer wine lover but also a level of detail that would hold the attention of a more veteran taster.

When we were finished with the Sparkling wines we sat down in a lovely bar area and Jean Claude guided us through a trio of Pinot Noirs from the Portfolio. He spoke about these as well and we enjoyed them alongside a light snack of nuts.

At the end of the tour I was lucky enough to get a chance to spend time with still Winemaker TJ Evans. He poured me an additional sparkling wine I had yet to taste and then we headed to the barrel room.  Once there TJ showed me some lots of wine with varying age on them. Some were specific clones and others a blend of more than one. I was able to get a real window into his winemaking philosophy and where the Pinot Noir Program at Domaine Carneros is headed. In his time there he’s added a few releases to the line and it looks like he’ll continue to tinker and add things when he feels the fruit justifies it.  After going through some barrels TJ showed me some older wines. While he didn’t make the 2000 and 2001 Pinot Noir he poured for me tasting them was an eye opener as he’s working with the same vines. It’s clear that the fruit those vines produces can make Pinot Noir which has the ability to age.

Taking a tour at Domaine Carneros costs $25 and lasts approximately 90 minutes. In that time you’ll learn quite a bit about the Estate, their wines, Sparkling Wine and Pinot Noir in general and Carneros. We tasted seven wines in that period and they were well spaced out with plenty of time to enjoy and contemplate them. Domaine Carneros is a beautiful property and they make terrific wines, both still and sparkling. If you’re going to be in the Napa area, don’t wait as long as I did, get to Domaine Carneros, it’s well worth your time, effort and money. I should also note that if you don’t have time for a tour there are also numerous tasting options available as well. Check their website for details. My initial instinct was right on, this was a noteworthy tour and visit.

Vino de Fratelli - Prosecco (NV)

Sparkling wine comes in all shapes and sizes, which is good because there are many settings that it’s suitable too. I drink it more casually these days than I used to; more often as well. Whether it’s a starter to a meal, a welcome wine or paired with lighter foods, Sparkling wine can be a great go to choice. Today I’ll look at a Prosecco. The Vino de Fratelli Prosecco is a non vintage selection. This sparkling wine was produced using 100% Prosecco from Veneto Italy. Vinification and fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks over 15-20 days in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Yeasts and sugar are then added over 20-25 days to reach the chosen amount of bubbles. After chilling and filtering it’s bottled. 1,000 cases of this offering were produced and it has a suggested retail price of $14.99. This wine is finished in screw cap.

This Prosecco has a lively nose that shows off a hint of candied apple. Orchard fruits such as continued apple as well as some pear are on display through the palate. Through the whole of the wine there is a creamy, yeasty undertone that provides substance and bite. Ginger spice and white pepper emerge on the finish along with some mineral notes.

This wine is a good value at under $15. I like it on its own but more specifically, this is the kind of sparkler I enjoy pairing with brunch or serving as a welcome wine when guests come over my house. The screw cap closure on this wine makes it easier to save for a day or so in your refrigerator, retaining the bubbles. That’s assuming there’s any of this tasty wine left once you open it and take the first sip.

Sektkellerei Szigeti - Grüner Veltliner Brut NV

Something about Sunday says Sparkling wine. And so I chilled a few that were sitting on my desk and popped them open. After tasting them it turns out that one of them was of particular interest to me and hopefully it will be to you as well. The wine in question is a sparkling Grüner Veltliner. I’ve been sampling different examples of Grüner every chance I get so the opportunity to sample a sparkling one was welcome. It also turned out to be the best of the batch of wines I went through today. The Sektellerei Szigeti Grüner Veltliner NV Brut was produced using fruit sourced at a vineyard surrounding Lake Neusiedl; it sits approximately 328 feet above sea level.  This Sparkling Wine is 100% Grüner Veltliner. The Sziget was made using traditional methods. Fermentation occurred in stainless steel. This was followed by 9-15 months of aging on yeast.  This selection has a suggested retail price of $25.

A hint of lemon zest, followed by wisps of almond are the primary aromas in the attractive and somewhat subtle nose of this wine. The citrus theme continues through the palate where it’s rounded out by a lovely creaminess. White pepper emerges and leads to the finish which features brioche and yeast notes. The length is above average and the flavors really linger in a crisp and refreshing manner. There’s a nice final bite that serves to pull you back to your glass for another sip.

Whether you’re looking to drink more Grüner Veltliner or additional Sparkling wine this selection from Szigeti will fit the bill. It appoints itself nicely on both counts. For a suggested retail right around $25 it offers plenty of quality and more than sufficient complexity.

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Lamberti - Rosé Spumante (NV) Sparkling Wine

When speaking to friends, readers and other wine lovers in general it seems that by and large Sparkling Wine falls victim to a couple of preconceived notions. The most common is that often people aren’t very familiar with how many wine regions make Sparklers and instead think only of Champagne. Personally I find that just like any other category of wine each regions styles, productions methods and sense of place make for some interesting sipping. Of those who do venture to other areas of the world for Sparkling Wine, many limit themselves to special occasions for its enjoyment. In my opinion that’s a mistake. Sparkling Wine could conceivably have as much of a place on your table alongside a meal as it does next to your party hat on New Years Eve. Today I’m going to look at one from Italy that I just tasted and enjoyed. The Lamberti Rosé Spumante is a non vintage sparkling wine. This selection was produced using a blend of Pinot Bianco (34%), Raboso (33%) and Pinot Nero (33%). This fruit was sourced from hillside vineyards throughout Trevisio in the Veneto. After pressing, the juice was immediately separated from the pomace to avoid adding more color than desired. The Charmat method was used in production. This is the same method used for Prosecco and Asti. The suggested retail price for this wine is $14.

This Spumante has a light salmon hue. The vibrant nose has fresh wild strawberry aromas in spades along with a lighter but present floral undertone. Berry mousse flavors form the core of the palate which is richly flavored and leads to additional hints of creaminess that carry out to the finish. Strawberry and raspberry notes are joined by yeasty characteristics and cream scone reference points. The finish lingers in a refreshing manner, beckoning you back to the glass for more.

This is a fun Sparkling Wine that works well on its own and will also complement lighter appetizers; fruit based desserts or soft cheeses. Throughout the palate this wine has a good, pleasing weight. It feels and tastes substantial, belying its $14 price tag. There really is quite a bit going on here and this is an interesting selection that also provides good value. Lamberti Rosé Spumante is an inexpensive and tasty way to break out of the sparkling wine for special occasion’s rut.

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Dinner With Kim Longbottom & Renae Hirsch of Henry's Drive

Last week I had the opportunity to have dinner with Kim Longbottom and Renae Hirsch of Henry's Drive. This Padthaway Australia producer has a vast repertoire of wines; some appropriate for everyday drinking and others for special occasions, gift giving or cellaring. I'd met Renae last year (read that report here) and at the time she had only been on the job a short while. With this followup meeting I was looking forward to learning how things had progressed for her at Henry's Drive. And of course I was also happy to be meeting proprietor Kim Longbottom. The first two wines we tasted were both Chardonnay based. First up was The Postmistress Blanc de Blanc. This sparkling wine is 100% Chardonnay and when it makes it to the US sometime in 2010 it will retail for $19.99. I found this to be a tasty lighter style of sparkling wine, one I'd consume with Brunch foods perhaps. The second wine was Morse Code Chardonnay. This is one of two varietal entries that will be part of the under $10 tier for Henry's Drive. It's fair to think of it and the Morse Code Shiraz as single varietal counterparts to the two Pillar Box wines. I really enjoyed the clean, fresh, fruit forward style of this 2009 Chardonnay. For a suggested retail of $8.99, this will make a solid choice for everyday drinking when it's released here in the next month or so.

Pillar Box Red is the first wine from Henry's Drive I became aware of several years back. I find that it's been a consistent offering in the value category and also a popular one. In speaking to Renae she indicated that a wine like Pillar Box Red which many people drink and are aware of is one of the selections she feels a bit more pressure in producing since it's had a longstanding reputation that preceded her becoming winemaker. No question to me that she's achieved her goal as the overall quality of this wine and its flavor profile have remained true to the course.

Two wines stood out as overall favorites for me. The Trial of John Montford was one. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%) and Cabernet Franc (10%), leads with a big nose of leather, berry and vanilla. Cherry and earth are amongst the dominat notes through the palate and they lead to a lengthy and layered finish. This 2007 selection has a suggested retail price of $29.99. While I think it's quite tasty now, a few years in the cellar will really help it come together into an even nicer package.

The 2007 Dead Letter Office Shiraz was my other favorite of the evening. This selection blends Shiraz from McLaren Vale (67%) in with the Padthaway (33%) fruit. Of the higher end reds in the Henry's Drive portfolio this is the wine that evolved the most dramatically in the glass throughout the evening. The combination of fruit from two sources lends itself to creating a very balanced Shiraz with a multitude of layers. The suggested retail price on this wine is $26.99

In all we went through 10 selections. Beside the wines already mentioned we tasted Pillar Box Reserve, Henry's Drive Shiraz, Henry's Drive Reserve Shiraz, and the Parson's Flat Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon. In speaking with Kim throughout the evening it was clear that the goal is to create full flavored wines with balance. This is a goal that in my opinion they're reaching. Certainly I have my favorites as I indicated above, but the house style in general is one that I have an overall fondness for. This is an Australian producer I gladly recommend; regardless of your wine budget there are Henry's Drive offerings you can find room for.

One of the other pleasures of meeting Kim was getting to hear details I wasn't familiar with about their use of Postal Service terms, names and legends for their wines. Having a story is one thing, but when it's backed by historical fact and reality it adds something to the intrigue of a bottle of wine.

By all means if you have the unique opportunity to spend some time, and taste wine, with these charming ladies I highly recommend it. Some even say they're a couple of Saucy Aussies.

Imported by Quintessential Wines.

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Valentin Bianchi - Extra Brut NV Sparkling Wine

I've been impressed with the offerings from Valentin Bianchi for several years now. The thing that most hits home with me is their ability to craft well made, value driven wines at numerous price tiers. What I've found is that whether you buy one of their under $10 wines or one of their higher end wines such as Enzo Bianchi you're getting a lot of value for your money. This is true throughout their many tiers of wine.  That's no small consideration, especially in the economic times we're in. Today I'll look at their Sparkling Wine. The Valentin Bianchi Extra Brut Sparkling Wine is a Non Vintage offering. Fruit for this selection was sourced at two of their vineyards; Dona Elsa Estate and Las Parades Estate. The vines on these two parcels are an average of 760 meters above sea level. This offering is composed of Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%). This Sparkler was produced using the traditional French Champenoise method. 5,000 cases of this wine are produced per year of this wine and the suggested retail price is $29.99.

As I sit on my deck enjoying the one day of sun this late summer weekend has bestowed I continue to wonder why as a people we don't drink more Sparkling Wine. For some reason it's largely been relegated to New Years Eve and other celebrations. There is something about popping a cork on some bubbly during those times that signifies a party. But those are all positives, so why don't we reach for it more often? I can't answer that, but what I can do is make a more concerted effort to drink Sparkling Wines and cover them here when they stand out. This example from Valentin Bianchi is just another notch on their belt for me as a go to producer of Argentine Wine.

This Extra Brut has a nice yellow hue, slightly tinged by a splash of green bell pepper. Hints of apple, pear and a dash of vanilla are part of the inviting nose. This wine is full flavored and complex. Flaky biscuit, buttery apple pie crust, hazelnut and white pepper join the fruit to form an expressive palate. The finish on this South American Sparkling Wine is lengthy and persistent with spice elements providing a lasting tingle on the tongue and back of the throat.

Whether you choose to drink this Sparkling Wine from Valentin Bianchi with a meal or as a celebratory toast you're going to enjoy it. This is a well made offering that continues the Bianchi tradition of over-delivering in its price point.

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Trapiche - NV Extra Brut Sparkling Wine

When most people think of Sparkling wine, Champagne comes to mind. In truth Champagne represents a small percentage of the sparkling wines out there. As time goes on there are more and more options as additional wineries and regions start experimenting with different styles of Sparkling wines. And of course many counties have long had their own traditions when it comes to them. Today I’ll look at an Argentine example from Trapiche. The Trapiche Sparkling wine is a non-vintage selection. This offering is a blend of Chardonnay (70%), Semillon (20%), and Malbec (10%). The “Charmat Lungo” method, widely employed for producing sparkling wine in Italy was used.  This wine most often sells for just under $15.

Sparkling wine is a little like Petite Sirah for me. No they don’t have a thing in common. What I mean is that whenever I have an enjoyable example of either it occurs to me that I don’t drink enough of either Petite Sirah or Sparkling Wine.  The Non-vintage Extra Brut from Trapiche has lovely pure yellow hue. Hints of mango emerge in the nose and also continue through the palate which features a serious wallop of pineapple. An edge of creaminess emerges mid-palate and continues forth joined by copious golden delicious apple notes. Towards the back of the palate ginger comes out in force and carries through the finish which has lots of flaky biscuit and yeast elements.

I was impressed with the quality of this wine for the money. Most impressive was the nice finish which lingered. There are hints of sweetness here and there but this is a dry wine. A lot of folks save Sparkling Wine for special occasions. And that’s fine in some ways. But when you can get a tasty and well made sparkler from Argentina for such a reasonable price why wait for a special occasion? Check this wine out and tell me if you agree.  As with the Torrontes, if you like this wine you may want to hit up the folks at Trapiche on their Facebook page.

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Make Your Valentine's Day Sparkle

Wine wise there are two ways I'd recommend going this year for Valentine's Day, sparkling or sweet. I recently tasted through a dozen Sparkling Wines, and I'm going to cover my three favorites here today. Next week I'm going to do look at the dessert wines I recommend. However if a cocktail is more your speed, take a look at Gabe's Cocktail View, where I've got a recommendation for one of those too. The first Sparkler is from Schug Carneros Estate. I've tasted and written about a number of their wines in the past. I was excited to find out what their Sparkling Wine was like as they have impressed me across the board in the past.

The Schug 2005 Rouge de Noirs is 100% Carneros Pinot Noir. After fermentation, this wine was aged for 18 months before being disgorged. 617 cases were produced and the suggested retail price is $30.

Black cherry is the dominant fruit in this wine. It makes its presence known from the first whiff you take through the palate. Yeasty brioche like notes also play a significant role and really add to the texture and appeal of this wine. In the finish the cherry notes take a turn and add a pleasing sour bite along with an undercurrent of creaminess.

What impressed me most about the Schug Rouge de Noirs is that it provides a fine balance of elegance and substance. It manages to be both delicate and firm. I found it to be good to pair with more substantial foods than the average sparkling wine. I had it with Veal Valdastano and was quite pleased with how well they worked together.

The second Sparkling Wine is from Clos La Chance. This San Martin California producer is another whose wines I've looked at several times with consistently satisfying results.

The Clos La Chance 2005 Amber's Cuveé is produced with  a 50/50 split of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes from Legan Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The grapes were grown specifically for the production of Sparkling Wine. This wine was aged for close to 2 years before being disgorged. 350 cases of Amber's Cuveé were produced. The suggested retail price is $40.

Pouring Amber's Cuveé into a Champagne Flute I was immediately hit with strong aromas of orchard fruit. Those flavors along with a bit of nectarine and lemon peel continue through the palate where they are also complemented by an intense yeasty biscuit undertone. This wines finish is long and filled with varied nut and pie crust notes. These are also accompanied by nutmeg spice and mineral notes.

What I like best about Amber's Cuveé is that it's precisely the style of Sparkling Wine I enjoy drinking either alone or with breakfast foods. The yeast and pie crust components really provide the sort of complexity that excites my palate when I sip Sparkling Wine by itself. I also feel it'll provide a nice complement if you decide to prepare a Brunch for your Valentine this year. The 14^th does fall on a Saturday.

Taking a sharp turn away from California, the third sparkling wine I'm recommending is from South Africa. Simonsig Family Vineyards is based in Stellenbosch.

The 2007 Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brute Rosé  was produced from a combination of Pinotage (90%) and Pinot Noir (10%).  10,000 cases of this wine were made and the suggested retail price is $29.99.

The Simonsig Brut Rosé  has a lovely salmon hue. The nose brings to mind both raspberry and mineral characteristics. Throughout the palate both raspberry and wild strawberry come to the forefront, underscored by white pepper spice notes. Fruit tart shell notes emerge in the dry finish which is lengthy and ends with a tingly flourish. All of these characteristics are framed by good acidity.

My lasting impression of the Simonsig Brut Rosé  is that it's a delicate wine layered with subtle elegance. Here's a wine I would pair with lighter foods. White meats, entrée salads, and soft mild cheeses are all good bets.

This trio of Sparkling wines stood out to me for a variety of reasons. Each of them is unique. The Schug will pair with the more substantial foods, and to my palate benefits the most from being paired. The Clos La Chance is the choice for drinking on its own. And finally the Simonsig is somewhere in the middle. It'll be a nice match for lighter fare and also drinks pretty well by itself. In each case, I enthusiastically recommend them.

Coming Next Week: A Look at Dessert Wines for Valentine's Day!

This New Years Eve Celebrate with Sparkling Shiraz

Most of us are conditioned to drink Champagne and other sparkling wines to highlight a celebration. The truth is that many sparklers work well with food. Additionally sparkling wine adds an element of fun that livens up any meal from breakfast through dinner. Australia tend to do things their own way. So it should be no surprise that many of the sparkling wines emanating from down under are Shiraz based. Among other things, they do Shiraz very well so this is a good thing. I just previewed a handful of Aussie sparklers and the two below were my favorites.

Leconfield 2004 Sparkling Shiraz - The nose give off a huge hit of crushed blackberry. The first sip reveals some spice notes. The mid palate has strong plum pudding flavors. This is accompanied by an undertone of brioche that hangs gently though the crisp, dry finish. Dark berry notes appear throughout and provide rich, mouth filling flavors. This wine is dry and works very well with food. I had it with roast pork loin and found it to be a splendid match. That said it sipped well on it's own. The production on the Leconfield was 750 cases. Well worth seeking out Leconfield Coonawarra Estate has been around since 1974. If this sparkling Shiraz is any indication of the quality they are putting out I'd suggest looking into their other releases as well.

Ultihorne "Flamma" Sparkling Shiraz - This ones opens with a heady aroma that just envelops your nose, making you want to dive into the glass it's so inviting. The first sip reveals mulled spice flavors and fruit that is a bit brighter than the Leconfield. The mid palate has a touch of white pepper that floats on the tongue. Raspberry, plum and spice notes emerge throughout. The finish most prominently features chocolate and biscuit notes. This wine is incredibly refreshing and each sips in an invitation to go back for more. This is also a great wine with food. I enjoyed it immensely with roasted potatoes and a rotisserie chicken. Flamma also works well on it's own as there's a lot going in this wine and it's all very enjoyable. Don't hesitate to drink it with dessert either, all that dark fruit should pair nicely with dark chocolate. Just 450 cases of this wine were produced. It's worth taking the time to find.

Both of these sparkling wines will make festive, elegant additions to your celebration on New Years Eve. But more than that these wines are proof that Sparklers should not be reserved only for special occasions. Drink them anytime.