Wine reviews, pairings, events, and getaways
If you’re new to Prosecco, like I basically am, then one of the best ways to start is with a family-run winery whose sole focus is the Glera grape and the production of Prosecco. Say hello to Nino Franco, who will be the star of my first few posts as we study Prosecco. Make sure you’ve read Sparkling Wine 101: Piecing together Prosecco to learn a bit of the bubbly basics, and then let’s move on to some wine reviews…
Prosecco – it’s not just for breakfast anymore. I’m here to smash the (predominately American) stereotype that the bubbly drink is too light-bodied or sweet to drink on its own and tell you, much like drinking Champagne from the eponymous wine region, drinking a “serious” Prosecco will change the pre-conceived notions that one must make a rosé-ecco, bellini, or sbagliato to enjoy this wine. Indeed, a Prosecco from a well-established Italian winery is a Prosecco not only worthy of drinking on its own — it’s a Prosecco that must be enjoyed on its own.
So let’s learn what makes Prosecco so special…
Rotari — for those familiar with wine, specifically sparkling wine, you are no stranger to the Rotari name. It is, in fact, part of the larger Mezzacorona group (responsible for other such “name brands” as Stemmari, Nota, Tolloy, and of course Mezzacorona). But sometimes the fun thing about reviewing larger names like Rotari is finding out a bit about the roots of the product, the people behind the bottle, and how even a wine as common-place as Rotari, celebrates an ancient sparkling wine tradition…
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Warning: This introduction contains a bit of personal information. I was never a huge fans of rosés until I started writing about wine. Through my studies and various opportunities to taste rosés made from different varietals, made in different styles, and — of course — from different regions, I can now edit that fact to state that I am quite picky about rosés. Similar are my feelings about bubbles. I rarely had opportunity in the past to have them; when I did, they all pretty much tasted the same. I’ve hesitated to write about them because they are, in fact, a whole different wine-making game.
But here I am working an a sparkling wine series, and lo, here is a wine that combines two things I’ve been iffy about in the past — a sparkling rosé. Spoiler alert: the Parigot Crémant Rosé past this skeptics taste test…
Limoux is an appellation of southern France’s Languedoc region. In an area that’s primarily focused on the production of red wine, Limoux is considered somewhat of a “sparkling wine oasis.” Here, bubbles are crafted using the methode traditionelle or methode champenoise (aka the traditional Champagne method), but this Antech-Limoux Cuvée Brut Nature is an interesting take on that sparkling wine tradition, blending together a few non-traditional varietals…
