Tag: Italian sparkler

We’ll Raise a Glass of Guidobono Extra Brut Segretevigne to Toast October
Later today we will get together with some of our favorite people and raise a glass of Guidobono Extra Brut Segretevigne. Trying wines from different places, made with different grapes, and produced by different methods adds spice to our monthly ritual. This Italian sparkler from Piemonte is made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes. This happens to be one of Ed's favorite varietals.

Here's what we have learned about Guidobono Extra Brut Segretevigne
- A retailer writes, "100% Nebbiolo (the name means secret vines because the wine laws in Italy for now do not allow for the name of the varietal to appear on the label for sparkling wines vinified with classic champenois method). Early harvest, 36 month on the yeasts, zero dosage. Bone dry, but rich and zesty. Fine mousse and long finish."
- The importer notes, "Guidobono is the creation of the Faccenda family, and reflects their obsession with terroir. They make a range of wines from the Roero and Langhe hills, all of them outstanding value. Their vineyards are scattered through the area, with Castellinaldo in the Roero and Monforte in Barolo being particularly prized. The family has a knack of outperforming in almost every vintage."
- One CellarTracker member – RICHARDP wrote: 90 Points
  "This is something unique: A sparkling white Nebbiolo. Yeast on the nose; on the palate, yellow apple cider and notes of flowers, yeast, and minerals on the medium finish, with strong acidity and a fine bubble. It would be interesting to put this up against a bottle of cheap Champagne to compare and contrast; this is better than most Champagnes at the same price point. Good value for a bit under $30."
We found our bottle at City Liquors in Cambridge.

What's your favorite sparkler?

One of our favorite assignments is finding a sparkling wine to toast the upcoming month. We have a few favorite places to look for sparklers that we have not tried before and reliable retailers we count on to know what we like, especially grower Champagnes and biodynamic bubbles. But, we are always open to suggestions. Do you have a favorite sparkling wine to suggest? Let us know in the comments below!

UPDATE: (10.01.17) While Ed’s fondness for the full, rich body and substantial fruit of a Nebbiolo influenced our choice of Guidobono Extra Brut Segretevigne, we didn’t expect this white, sparkling version of the varietal to be quite so un-Nebbiolo like.

We think the review above is most accurate, describing this wine as “Bone dry, but rich and zesty,” with a “fine mousse and long finish."

It’s a good sparkler for our friends who like extremely dry, Blanc de Blancs. If that’s you, drink it chilled to around 55º F. If you prefer a fuller-bodied wine, let it warm into the 60s.

We found Guidobono Extra Brut Segretevigne to be a particularly good match with our Vietnamese lemongrass chicken Saigon salad – a big pop of flavor followed by a sip of wine to cleanse the palate … a nice balance.

And, most importantly, guard against pre-judging this impressive sparkler. Take your time and enjoy!

Related Posts:

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Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category, this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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October 1, 2017
Nino Franco Rustico: A Wine for Holiday Gifts & Celebrations

Nino Franco Rustico has been one of our favorite sparkling wines since we first sipped a glass in a Boston restaurant many years ago.

Recently, we enjoyed a bottle of Nino Franco in Provincetown and couldn't resist doing a photo shoot with the fantastic light and wonderful backdrops we found at Chandler House.

We bring you these photos today with a message.

Please don't give your clients, business associates, and friends the wines you see in TV ads as holiday gifts. A good wine shop can recommend a good wine value that you can give with pride. And, it will be one that will please both the occasional sipper and wine aficionado.

If you buy a good wine by the case, you can save even more. Stock up on "just-in-case gifts for the season" and be ready for a party at a moments notice.

This classic sparkler bottle and elegant label will show your good taste from the moment you hand it to a host, pop a cork for a pre-dinner toast, or when a client unwraps your gift. A second round of applause will come with the first taste of this prosecco.

"The golden color and peach nectar scent predict this to be rich, but a potent, nutty savor keeps it balanced. It finishes clean, tight and grippy – a mouthwatering aperitif," is how Bauer Wine describes Nino Franco Rustico.

And, should you find that after the holidays you have a bottle or two left, we assure you this wine is the perfect match for a chair-for-one, on a deck by the ocean.

Or, an evening for two by a fireplace in a mountain cabin or a city apartment.

Always give a wine you will be happy to have in your own wine rack for a special moment.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite Wine Books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

November 7, 2013
Nino Franco Rustico: A Wine for Holiday Gifts & Celebrations

Nino Franco Rustico has been one of our favorite sparkling wines since we first sipped a glass in a Boston restaurant many years ago.

Recently, we enjoyed a bottle of Nino Franco in Provincetown and couldn't resist doing a photo shoot with the fantastic light and wonderful backdrops we found at Chandler House.

We bring you these photos today with a message.

Please don't give your clients, business associates, and friends the wines you see in TV ads as holiday gifts. A good wine shop can recommend a good wine value that you can give with pride. And, it will be one that will please both the occasional sipper and wine aficionado.

If you buy a good wine by the case, you can save even more. Stock up on "just-in-case gifts for the season" and be ready for a party at a moments notice.

This classic sparkler bottle and elegant label will show your good taste from the moment you hand it to a host, pop a cork for a pre-dinner toast, or when a client unwraps your gift. A second round of applause will come with the first taste of this prosecco.

"The golden color and peach nectar scent predict this to be rich, but a potent, nutty savor keeps it balanced. It finishes clean, tight and grippy – a mouthwatering aperitif," is how Bauer Wine describes Nino Franco Rustico.

And, should you find that after the holidays you have a bottle or two left, we assure you this wine is the perfect match for a chair-for-one, on a deck by the ocean.

Or, an evening for two by a fireplace in a mountain cabin or a city apartment.

Always give a wine you will be happy to have in your own wine rack for a special moment.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite Wine Books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

November 7, 2013
Nino Franco Rustico: A Wine for Holiday Gifts & Celebrations

Nino Franco Rustico has been one of our favorite sparkling wines since we first sipped a glass in a Boston restaurant many years ago.

Recently, we enjoyed a bottle of Nino Franco in Provincetown and couldn't resist doing a photo shoot with the fantastic light and wonderful backdrops we found at Chandler House.

We bring you these photos today with a message.

Please don't give your clients, business associates, and friends the wines you see in TV ads as holiday gifts. A good wine shop can recommend a good wine value that you can give with pride. And, it will be one that will please both the occasional sipper and wine aficionado.

If you buy a good wine by the case, you can save even more. Stock up on "just-in-case gifts for the season" and be ready for a party at a moments notice.

This classic sparkler bottle and elegant label will show your good taste from the moment you hand it to a host, pop a cork for a pre-dinner toast, or when a client unwraps your gift. A second round of applause will come with the first taste of this prosecco.

"The golden color and peach nectar scent predict this to be rich, but a potent, nutty savor keeps it balanced. It finishes clean, tight and grippy – a mouthwatering aperitif," is how Bauer Wine describes Nino Franco Rustico.

And, should you find that after the holidays you have a bottle or two left, we assure you this wine is the perfect match for a chair-for-one, on a deck by the ocean.

Or, an evening for two by a fireplace in a mountain cabin or a city apartment.

Always give a wine you will be happy to have in your own wine rack for a special moment.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite Wine Books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

November 7, 2013