Exploring Rosé Sparkling Wines

From Italy with love

WORDS BY MARCIA J. HAMM PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED

Rosé wines get a lot of love during the summer months, but February is the perfect time to drink the pink, too, especially if it’s sparkling—and especially if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day. If you’re looking for a bottle of bubbly, go for a sparkling rosé, specifically from Italy. Below are three beauties just waiting to be shared with the one you love.

Cuvage Rosé Brut is made from 100% nebbiolo, often called the king of grapes. Its beautiful light pink colour is the first invitation to have a sip. The nose is bursting with wild strawberries, cranberries and pomegranate with undercurrents of brioche and pastry. The palate boasts bright acidity, small red berries and hints of orange zest to make this bubbly the perfect aperitivo.

The wines from the Lambrusco family of grapes are enjoying great success and are still trending high. Many might choose the dark, frothy wines made from Lambrusco Grasparossa, but for a pink option, go for sparkling wines made from the Lambrusco di Sorbara variety. Emilia-Romagna is home to the Lambrusco family of grapes and the Paltrinieri Piria is a great introduction to this tank-method sparkling wine. Wines made with Sorbara give flavours of crunchy red fruit like cranberry and rhubarb with mouth-scrubbing acidity that cleanses the palate, making you want to take another bite of your food, and more importantly, another sip of wine. Also, inside the bottle is another one of the Lambrusco grapes: Salomino, known for providing elegance and power to Sorbara. The Piria is perfect as an aperitivo or a match for charcuterie or a pasta dish like tagliatelle with Bolognese.

Franciocorta, a variety from the Lombardia region of northern Italy, might very well be considered the Champagne of Italy. Unbeknownst to many, the traditional method sparkling wines of Italy have far longer ageing requirements than those of Champagne which gives the wines more texture, flavour and complexity. In addition, although Franciocorta (and other high-end sparkling wines of Italy) may not have the caché of Champagne, they are elegant, luxurious and more budget friendly than their famous French counterpart. Barone Pizzini has been family-owned since 1870, and is a winery of firsts: they were the first to be registered as a DOC, a quality designation within Italy; the first to produce an organic Franciocorta, and the first to win best organic sparkling in the world with the Barone Pizzini Rosé. Made from 100% Pinot Nero, notes of blueberry, red currant and rose petals are interwoven with rich flavour, structure and acidity. A perfect wine to share with your sweetie on Valentine’s Day.