Thursday, August 16, 2012

Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose

Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose

 




What can I say?! I am a sucker for a pink sparkling wine!  The opportunity presented itself to take home a bottle of the limited edition (only 1,700 cases were made) Contadi Castaldi Brut Rose.  The NV (non vintage) Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose is produced in Lombardy, Italy located in the northeastern portion of the country.  The exact type of sparkling wine is known as Franciacorta DOCG which is an Italian sparkling wine made in the traditional champagne style with secondary fermentation occurring in the bottle.  This wine is fermented for a minimum of 18 months, but may not be released until 25 months after harvest.  Only Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc grapes are allowed in this sparkler.  Castaldi has an alcohol level of 12.5% and is sealed with a natural cork.  

The Contadi Castaldi Sparkling Rose is surprisingly not as rose in color as expected, but is a pale peach color with golden hues.  On the nose are hints of fresh straw, sweet honeysuckle, sweet orange zest, ripe raspberry, toasted almond, unripe peach, tart blackberry, and minerality.  On the palate are flavors of cassis, white pepper, mandarin orange, pink flowers, strawberry, fresh baked bread, slight cream, unripe apricot, lemon zest, and wet stone minerality.  This sparkling wine finished with bright acidity and a soft fullness.      

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