Champagne... Franciacorta... feel like drinking something different today?
Many Franciacorta are indeed great products, but we have shown that the south also has a lot to say – even if with less prestige – producing great wines such as Vola Lontano di Alfonso Rotolo.
The area of San Severo, in the province of Foggia, is not particularly prosperous economically speaking – the town seems to be in decline – but it is right here that a great and historic winery hides, alongside excellent cheese producers for which the Foggia area is famous: D'Araprì.
It is precisely in this area, surrounded by the Apennino Dauno, that the estate begins producing classic method sparkling wines.
Despite the area not being a traditional producer of such wines, Girolamo D'Amico, Louis Rapini and Ulrico Priore believe in it and join forces – and their surnames – to create what will become a truly extraordinary reality!
Their choice is to focus on Bombino Bianco to craft a wine best enjoyed with fish-based dishes.
The soil of their vineyards is clay-limestone, something that will be found in the wine we are about to taste.
Right in the area I purchased the Gran Cuvée XXI Secolo 2007 – it is a vintage produced only in the best years, blending Bombino Bianco, Pinot Nero and Montepulciano.
The product, before reaching the glasses of discerning buyers, rests for 60 months on the lees (in fact the disgorgement year of the 2007 is 2013) in order to arrive well-rounded on our palate, sheltered from light and air currents at a temperature of around 13°C in an underground cellar.
Disgorgement is carried out cold and by hand.
The alcohol content reaches 12.4 degrees.
The bottle has an elegant "outfit", fit for a princess, with a metallic label that hints at the quality of the wine we are about to drink.
A loud pop celebrates the opening of the bottle, purchased to mark an important occasion that never arrived – promptly replaced by an even more important event.
In the glass, the colour of gold and the joy of festive bubbles seeking the quickest path to the surface, a fascinating aroma with notes of hay and bright fruits such as pineapple, green apple, pear and apricot.
On the palate it is enveloping, energetic and endowed with an acidity that lends great freshness to the entire palate.
Even though many consider sparkling wines as an aperitif or a post-meal drink (forgive the wordplay!), this wine is ideal to enjoy with crustaceans and fish-based dishes.
I paired it with Shirataki, mussels and courgettes and was truly satisfied; it would go well with "Crudo Barese" but I am not a fan of raw fish.
This wine can certainly compete with more famous rivals – it was in fact awarded last year as Best Sparkling Wine alongside the Franciacorta Gran Cuvée Brut 2007 Bellavista.
What do you think?
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