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Mission Codename: The Gold Standard

Operative: Agent Sparkle

Objective: Secure an exclusive Italian sparkler for our operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Ruggeri Valdobbiadene

Wine Subject: Prosecco di Valdobbiadene ‘Gold Label’ DOCG

Backgrounder:

Prosecco, a native white grape of northeastern Italy originating in the village of the same same, shines as the preferred spumante, its favorite sparking wine and in Venice, at just about every cafe in the late afternoon it is served as the favorite aperitif and obrette for Venetians.

Some of the best Prosecco comes from around the villages of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene as is the case of today’s selection in the hills just north of Venice. Many Prosecco are slightly sweeter and less fizzy than its cousin Champagne, however, today’s selection is a fully dry Brut. Also, Prosecco is made differently from Champagne with its secondary fermentation taking place in pressurized tanks (a method called Charmat_) as opposed to a secondary fermentation in the bottle (_methode champenoise).

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Very pale straw yellow in color with a brilliant clear core, fine bubbles and vibrant effervescence that leaves a medium mouse. When swirled, slow medium thick legs ring and descend at varying speeds along the side of the glass.

Smell – Fresh, bright and youthful on the nose with aromas of citrus and orchard fruit, pleasantly perfumed floral notes, and a touch of orange blossom honey and a hints of minerality.

Feel – This demi-sec to dry Prosecco is both effervescent and smooth in its attack with its vibrant acidity and minerality that lingers long into this sparkler’s finish. Medium-bodied, clean and crisp with its spumante lingering on and on.

Taste – Fresh, sweet and tart flavors of citrus and orchard fruit including Meyers lemon, green apple and Clementine orange are framed and backed by a limestone minerality and the floral notes found on the nose. A touch of light honey, very subtle toasty and creaminess rounds out the bright fresh and clean flavors of this wine.

Finish – Crisp and clean with a lingering minerality that supports its fresh orchard and citrus and other flavors of this delicious sparkler.

Conclusion – The *Ruggeri Prosecco di Valdobbiadene ‘Gold Label’ DOCG * is fresh, bright and very clean with a dry crisp spamante mouth feel. A lovely wine to celebrate any of your spring festivities. Pair this wine with brunch, a light lunch, seafood or salad, or if you must, you can always make a perfect Bellini. Enjoy this wine right now as there is no reason to cellar this lovely fresh sparkler.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the village of Valdobbiadene in Italy can be seen in this satellite photo.