Ciao, ciao! We’re taking a trip to the North of Italy today and you won’t want to miss this! Soave! Located in Veneto, just east of Verona, this is the land of Romeo and Juliet, and home to some of the prettiest sites in all of Italy. The Magnabosco family, led by their patriarch, Gino, got started in 1979 and quickly disrupted the status quo. In a region that was known for simple table wines, grown in the easy to farm, high yielding valley floor, the Magnabosco family chose instead the sloping hillsides – where only hand farming was possible and yields were strictly limited. In a few short decades, they have become revered for making some of the greatest white wines in all of Italy! When they turned their sites to making a small amount of bubbles…our hearts did a joyous somersault! 

This is 100% garganega – a pinkish/yellowish, local varietal prized for its high acidity, medium body, and almost saline minerality. The vineyards roll across the hillsides of Soave, on alternating veins of volcanic and chalky limestone soils – lending the distinct flavors and styles of Soave garganega. These are destemmed and crushed immediately following harvest, then fermented over a two week plus period before aging 2-3 months in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then transferred to specialized pressure tanks for 120+ days to complete the Charmant method used here to make a “spumante” (bubbly wine).

The end result? A beautifully fresh and rich sparkling wine, very dry, with bright and tart citrus notes of lemon and lime, plus floral and lifted notes of white flowers enveloping a core of brilliant orchard fruit characteristics – Korean pears, Fuji apples, green plums, and rich apple butter. The bubbles are light and delightfully fizzy, but the finish is dry, and round, and down right pleasing to the last drop. This is a simply perfect aperitif, and one that will kick start every gathering of friends old and new.