How is it only a week until Christmas?
This time of year always runs away from me. As you rush to finish your holiday shopping and finalize plans for celebrating the new year, 2016 my friends, I have many different wine recommendations suitable for these special occasions. Case in point. Sparkling wine is the perfect beverage for the holidays. And what goes better with celebrations than bubbles?
I have become a big fan of Prosecco. Especially Prosecco made by Valdo Spumanti in Italy. When you pop open a bottle of bubbles, life is good. As I've learned, good bubbles do not have to be expensive. Valdo Prosecco offers one of the best values in sparkling wine and they are widely available. Below I list three sparklers from Valdo Spumanti Srl. I have listed then in order of my preference. These wines are outstanding values, typically priced around $15 retail.
Go and celebrate with good cheer and Valdo Prosecco!
1. Valdo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Oro Puro
Color: Pretty gold.
Nose: Mineral, toast, light nuttiness, pear.
Palate: Fine bubbles, good toasty yeast and nutty pear, focus to middle, fresh creamy medium finish of pear, brioche and lemon cream. My speed. This bottle went fast.
Thoughts: Lovely flavors and finish alone, plus delicious paired with baked acorn squash and fried steak. Superior Prosecco and intimately enjoyable. I am a fan.
Strongly Recommended.
Varietal: Glera 100%
Grapes were handpicked.
Soft pressed, fermentation in temperature controlled stainless tanks.
Small fine bubbles “perlage”
Five months Charmat aging, three months in bottle.
ABV: 11.5%
Sample provided by Pasternak Wine Imports
2. Valdo Prosecco Brut
Color: Silver straw.
Nose: Yeast, lemon, pear. After three hours petrol on the nose.
Palate: Delicate perlage, creamy, focus to middle and back, honeyed bread, lemon, lime, savory note with fresh pear and honey on the finish. Big like. Good companion to pasta and garlic bread.
Thoughts: Fun and tasty, not serious, perfect for celebrations and meals. Makes a tasty Mimosa too. Lovely everyday and anytime sparkling wine.
Recommended + Great Value.
Varietal: Glera 100%
Grapes were handpicked.
Soft pressed, fermentation in temperature controlled stainless tanks.
Small fine bubbles “perlage”
Three months Charmat aging plus one month in bottle.
ABV 11%
Cork Lower portion natural, upper agglomerated.
Sample provided by Pasternak Wine Imports
3. Valdo Rose Brut Marca Oro
Color: Pale pink with melon.
Nose: Pretty aromatics, strawberry, melon, yeast, citrus.
Palate: Soft, creamy bubbles, strawberry cream, focus to front, bright, orange cream with yeast and honey into the crisp finish. Enjoyed with game bird and gravy.
Thoughts: Lively, enjoyed the acidity and flavors. Well suited to poultry and game bird. Love the color and aromas on this bottle of Prosecco.
Recommended.
This wine is a blend of two typical Italian vines: Sicilian black berry Nerello Mascalese, from Sambuca Sicily in the province of Argiento (clay and limestone soils) and Glera, the fruity grapes from the Veneto region in the province of Treviso (alluvial clay). The wine went through Charmant method for 3 months in steel tanks.
Sample provided by Pasternak Wine Imports
About Valdo Spumanti Srl
Valdo Spumanti, from the slopes of the DOCG Valdobbiadene. Located a few kilometers from Venice in NE Italy. A land renown for high quality grape production and Prosecco wine. The Valdo Winery has been cultivating this unique area for generations. Founded in 1926, Valdo Spumanti is now Italy's leading producer of Prosecco. The vineyards cover 155 hectares. Over 9.2 million bottles were sold in 2011.
VALDO Spumanti Srl
via Foro Boario 20
31049 Valdobbiadene (TV)
Italy
FYI: These wines are not Champagne, they have bubbles, but they are not Champagne. I point this out because people often, mistakenly, call all wines with bubbles "Champagne." Wines with bubbles are generally referred to as “Sparkling Wine.” Because they sparkle.
Note: Champagne was invented and perfected in Champagne, France. True “Champagne” is only made in the Champagne region of France, using the Méthode Champenoise to create those lovely bubbles. The Champagne winemaking community, under the auspices of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC), has developed a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for all wine produced in the region to protect its economic interests.Sparkling wines are best served chilled, between 40°F and 45°F. Warm bubbles are no fun.
* My suggested musical pairing:
Leon Bridges and his song from his new album "Coming Home."
- Remember, bubbles are fantastic with everything. Cheers!