Italiano
A toast to the closing of the Guide
An invitation to those who follow us to toast with us to the closing in editing of the Essential Guide to the Wines of Italy 2023.
The area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene for Prosecco, then Franciacorta and Trentino for Trentodoc are the regions that have become best known for producing "lively" wines, which would be the technical definition for those with bubbles. In the first case for Charmat method sparkling wines, those with the "presa di spuma" that occurs in autoclaves, large steel containers where the base wines re-ferment and produce the carbon dioxide bubbles. In the other two with the Metodo Classico, which involves that process taking place in each individual bottle and over a longer period of time.
Although the current situation, both on the domestic and international fronts, does not incite celebration, we at DoctorWine want to celebrate the closing in editing of the Essential Guide to the Wines of Italy 2023, and celebrations can only involve popping corks and helping us to be a little more lighthearted, within the limits of what is possible.
So we propose three "foamers" (as Riccardo Viscardi jokingly calls them) for those who ideally want to celebrate with us. Prosecco is produced by Primo Franco, charismatic owner of the historic Nino Franco winery in Valdobbiadene. It is a true champion, made with Glera grapes from the only vineyard in the Rive di San Floriano, a true "premier cru" of the area. Fragrant, irresistible, simply delicious. And it doesn't cost a fortune.
We move to Franciacorta and here is a small masterpiece by Berlucchi, one of the wineries that in recent years has really significantly improved the quality level of its entire production. Here I would like to point out the Franciacorta '61 Nature Blanc de Blancs 2014, from Chardonnay grapes only, which takes its name from the fact that it was this winery back in 1961 that produced the first wine with the Franciacorta appellation. It is a true champion of its kind, agile, elegant, very pleasant.
The last one is a kind of alter ego. It is produced by Cavit, a large cooperative winery in Trentino, and is a Blanc de Noirs, that is, a white wine made from red grapes vinified "in bianco," precisely, without the must coming into contact with the skins. It is a Trentodoc, Metodo Classico then, and comes from Pinot Noir grapes only. Complex and very articulate on the nose, composed and harmonious on the palate. A real trio of aces, in short.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
Nino Franco
Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano 2020
93/100 - € 15
100% Glera. Metodo Charmat. Giallo chiaro, perlage fitto e abbondante. Profumi fragranti, fruttati, con sentori di melone d’inverno, fiori di campo, agrumi gialli e glicine. Sapore salino, teso, fresco, di deliziosa bevibilità e persistenza sottile.
Guido Berlucchi
Franciacorta ’61 Nature Blanc de Blancs 2014
93/100 - € 40
100% Chardonnay. Una parte del vino base matura in barrique per sei mesi. Metodo Classico per 60 mesi. Colore giallo paglia intenso con perlage finissimo e continuo. Profumi floreali, fruttati, con note di biancospino, pietra focaia, lievi accenni agrumati. Sapore fresco e teso, molto piacevole e di bevibilità coinvolgente.
Cavit
Trentodoc Brut Altemasi Blanc de Noirs 2017
94/100 - € 39
Da uve Pinot Nero. Metodo classico 36 mesi. Giallo paglia luminoso, perlage fitto, continuo e lento. Profumi fragranti e ben definiti, con note di crosta di pane, melograno, accenni floreali. Sapore pieno, salino, di buon corpo, con la componente di anidride carbonica cremosa e un finale agile e piacevole.
