This Après Sol stands as one of our all-time most re-requested rosé bubblies! From our favorite Champagne-born, self-professed reformed wine snob Brice Baillie, this came about while tasting with one of his top sources for natural, off-the-beaten-path wines – the eclectic Randi winery in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. They primarily focus on native varieties, naturally made, in the traditional, and yet suddenly hip and modern, style. The wine uses the longanesi grape, a grape of Middle Eastern origin that found its home in nearby Ravenna, back in the days when it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. The longanesi vines look more like a bramble bush than a modern-day grapevine, and it was only some 70 years ago that a man named Antonio Longanesi re-discovered the grape growing up a tree and decided to try and cultivate it in his family’s vineyard. The vine thrived and spread throughout the region, and eventually, in 1999, the local winemaking consortium decided to officially name the grape after him. 

Brice’s wife, Nasha, came up with the name Après Sol, and from there, they enlisted their friend (and designer) Sam, to piece together the label. The inspiration was the ‘70s-era posters for ski resorts, transformed from a winter scene to the backdrop of a sunny locale such as Miami or Venice Beach – Brice’s adopted home. They never intended to sell this far and wide, and indeed, we are the first outside of Los Angeles to get access to this wine! Only 1,000 cases were made in total, mostly for local restaurants and wine shops in SoCal. Six bottles are really the minimum recommended purchase here because we just never know if and when we might be able to get more of this fan favorite! 

The aromas of the longanesi sparkler are pretty and floral, with rose petals and black currant notes leading into herbal aromas of sage and fennel. The bubbles are vibrant and exuberant, revealing flavors that range from green strawberries to watermelon, and even ripe dates, punctuated with fresh green herbs like chervil, marjoram, and even dill. It has a nicely balanced, completely captivating palate that encapsulates both savory and sweet fruit sensations, where every note of sweetness is immediately harnessed by a drying bite of fresh herbs. The sensation follows a staccato rhythm that keeps you, and your tongue, guessing what will happen next! Made in the charmat method and with only 7 grams per liter of dosage, you can taste and feel the freshness of this wine on your palate at every turn. You will not be disappointed, that’s for sure. Every part of this wine is a boisterous bullhorn to the masses saying, “Buy me now! Buy me now!” Do you get what we’re saying now? Just pack a few in your virtual cart and press “purchase.” Done. Enjoy. You’re welcome.