When judges are deciding which wines to add to the Winter Warmer they have the following description to guide them:

“This wine will be of a fuller flavoured character. Perfect for a winter’s evening sat in front of the fire.“

The Glass of Bubbly Awards, aided by countless recommendations from top wine professionals and the guidance from Tatiana Mann (Diploma in Level IV WSET) sees a unique way to judge wines so that not only medals can be achieved, but categories in which consumers can relate to thus making labels easier to understand.

Trophy Winner ‘Winter Warmer’

Fox & Fox – Mosaic 2015: Tasting Notes: “Apricot, peach skin, dry white cheese, red berry cheesecake on the nose. Dry crisp flavours showing gooseberry, peach skin, apricot, dry white cheese.” Available to purchase here

Gold Medal Winners ‘Winter Warmer’

Champagne Roger-Constant Lemaire – Rosé de Saignée: Tasting Notes: “Wonderful warm rosé colour from the Saignée blend. I have seen this winery producing the Saignee blend at their winery when Gilles was still the main winemaker. Creamy cranberry, red current, soft pastry, touch of asparagus and silky garden mint on the nose. Red berry fruit flavours.” Available to purchase here

Cantina Ventiventi Il Borghetto – Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce: Tasting Notes: “Dark berries on the nose with silky blueberry cheesecake. Also a smoky edge showing. Dry black berry fruits with a good mouth watering length. Added saline, herbaceous and smoky notes.” Available to purchase here

Vinarstvo Zalatel – de Onesti: Tasting Notes: “Green apple, smoky herbs, creamy herbaceous on the nose. Dry flavours. Citrus, chalky, apricot and peach skin, saline.” Available to purchase here

“Tom Smith created the first Christmas cracker. He was a London-based confectioner who was inspired by the paper-wrapped sugared almonds he saw in France. Tom Smith invented a sweet-filled wrapper that could be pulled apart by two hands, an idea that his three sons continued to develop into an exciting new business venture later on.” source Royal Liver Building Venue

From a box of six mini crackers at your local pound store with plastic mini toys within to those luxurious options containing diamond rings and gold watches. Famous brands supply their own versions such as John Lewis, Selfridges and Swarovski® or themed ones containing just chocolate, alcohol or hand crafted gifts. Plus of course, we can not forget those sometimes terrible jokes to read out and lastly who will be wearing their paper hat other than grandad this year!?

“The world’s longest Christmas cracker measured 63.1 m (207 ft) long and 4 m (13 ft) in diameter and was made by the parents of children at Ley Hill School and Pre-School, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK on 20 December 2001.” source Guinness World Records

Surveys suggest that Brits will pull on average around 150 million crackers during the Christmas period!

The word cracker holds many meanings that include those thin savoury wafer biscuits (that might make an appearance during Christmas also when the cheese board graces the table), though also it can refer to an offensive term used to refer to a white person from rural parts of the southeastern U.S.

Among variables of ‘cracker’ is something positive that stands out and mostly visually – Going back to many older, especially comedy, movies a person can sometimes be referred to as a cracker thus being liked and admired.

A Cracker for your Christmas table this year in the world of wine is a fabulous English Bubbly that was voted the best for Winter time at the London Champagne & Sparkling Wine Awards 2021 – Fox & Fox Mosaic 2015

In amongst roast potatoes (the most popular item eaten at Christmas), slices of Turkey, the gravy, the mince pies and cream we must of course have a bottle of wine – Why not make it a trophy winning English Sparkling Wine that can easily be ordered online and ready for Christmas Day and at only £29.00 a bottle! Purchase today here: Mosaic 2015 £29.00

Fox & Fox Mosaic 2015 Vintage – Trophy Winner 2021 ‘Winter Warmer’ – Tasting Notes: “Sit back, de-stress and enjoy… Aromas offer yellow floral, salty crisps, orchard fruits, honeysuckle, glazed patisseries, touch of red berries. Full of English countryside in flavours with hay, orchard fruits, gooseberry, freshly baked bread.“

Formula 1® fans are now able to bid on a once-in-a-lifetime piece of racing history, as Ferrari Trento makes five of its signature F1® Podium Jeroboams, from five 2021 Grands Prix, available to the public. This will be through a global auction on F1® Authentics, launching on the 6th of December and closing on the 18th of December.

Signed by the three winning drivers of key races throughout the 2021 season, each of the five bottles is the very same as used in the iconic podium celebration after every race, offering a completely unique and exclusive item.

Each auction will raise money for Keep Fighting, the charity set up to celebrate racing champion Michael Schumacher’s indomitable spirit and encourage everyone to ‘Never Give Up’. Run by those close to Michael, Ferrari Trento is proud to be supporting such a hugely positive and worthwhile cause that is also close to the hearts of Formula 1® and its drivers.

The five bottles available to bid for are from the following 2021 races:

• The Pirelli British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a home victory for Lewis Hamilton, with Charles Leclerc in second and Valtteri Bottas coming in third
• The Grand Prix de Monaco, won by Max Verstappen, with Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris rounding out the podium
• The Heineken Grande Prémio de Portugal, which was also won by Hamilton, with Verstappen and Bottas in second and third
• The Emirates Grand Prix de France, where Verstappen again took first, Hamilton came in second and Sergio Pérez came third
• The BWT Großer Preis von Österreich in Austria, another victory for Verstappen, with Bottas in second and Norris in third

The bottles are available to bid for on the F1® Authentics website, the home of legitimate F1® memorabilia. Anyone can bid, granting F1® fans worldwide the chance to possess the truly one-of-a-kind momentos ahead of the final race of the season, the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 on the 12th of December. The winner will be announced on the 19th of December, with Ferrari Trento planning to continue the new initiative into the 2022 season.

The striking bottle is a collector’s piece in itself, bearing ‘Ferrari’ in large on one side. The wine is a 2015 traditional method Blanc de Blancs, made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes cultivated on the slopes of the mountains of Trentino, in northern Italy following the strict rules of the Trentodoc appellation. Maturation on its lees for over five years has rendered it particularly harmonious, with a lasting finish.

Says Matteo Lunelli, President and CEO of Ferrari Trento: “We are thrilled to take our partnership with Formula 1® to the next level, through an avenue that gives F1 fans closer access to the sport and their favourite drivers, whilst simultaneously supporting a charity whose message of resilience and passion is so in line with our beliefs at Ferrari Trento. We look forward to starting our collaboration with the Keep Fighting Foundation.”

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1®, said: “This season has been one of the most incredible seasons for a long time and we couldn’t think of a more fitting way to end it than inviting our fans to own a part of F1 history with this incredible auction. It’s fantastic to see Ferrari Trento collaborating with the Keep Fighting Foundation and supporting such an important cause.”

Sabine Kehm, Managing Director of Keep Fighting Foundation, said: “Keep Fighting Foundation is immensely grateful to be part of this great activity, enabling fans to own an authentic piece of F1 history and add to a charitable cause at the same time. Keep Fighting Foundation is striving to continue Michael‘s charitable work together with his unbelievable fans, so this collaboration with Ferrari Trento and our friends from Formula 1 is not only an honour for us but also feels like a natural fit. We are looking forward to a great time with Ferrari Trento with who we share the passion for accepting challenges, and we would like to thank everybody involved.”

Christmas time is the busiest time globally for sparkling wine sales thanks to the many festive get togethers we have planned both at home, work and in bars/restaurants and not forgetting New Years Eve celebrations as we welcome in the year 2022.

“It is said that we enjoy some 200 million glasses of Champagne at Christmas and this number is greatly added to as we lead up to and enjoy New Years Eve celebrations – Champagne (or any other sparkling wine) is the one wine that can identity mostly with celebrations so it is unexpected that sales peak each year over the Christmas period.”

We must not forget that sparkling wine is not purely Champagne, in fact, this small region of France (despite having global fame) is only a smaller percentage of the global sparkling wine production each year. We are all familiar with Prosecco (Italy) though we also are able to enjoy the fizzy delights from England, Spain (Cava), South Africa (Cap Classic), Slovenia, Cremant (France), Canada, USA, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and much more.

So, what about some fabulous sparkling wines for Christmas 2021? I say let’s rock & roll with some Trophy Winning English sparklers to get the mood firmly in the swing:

Voted the world’s best sparkling wine in 2021! Fox & Fox – 2015 Paxton & Whitfield Blend

Fox & Fox Paxton Whitfield 2015 Vintage

Where to purchase: (£35.00/75cl) and available online from www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk and from its three stores in Jermyn Street, London, Cale Street, London and Bath.

Camel Valley – 2019 Pinot Noir Rose Brut

Camel Valley Rosé Brut

Where to purchase: £36 a bottle from the Camel Valley website.

Bolney Wine Estate – Cuvée Rosé 2018

Bolney Rosé Cuvee

Where to purchase: £38 per bottle via the Bolney Wine Estate website.

Fox & Fox – Mosaic 2015

Fox & Fox Mosaic 2015

Where to purchase: £29 from the Fox & Fox website.

Biddenden Vineyards – Gribble Bridge Ortega Demi-Sec 2019

Biddenden Vineyards – Gribble Bridge Ortega Demi-Sec 2019

Where to purchase: £24.80 via the Biddenden Vineyards website.

Surprisingly, there are already lots of articles on this exact subject and debates especially from people wanting to know if wine holds any health / medical benefits from helping to give you a healthier heart to improving your skin.

Firstly, we should take a look at Prosecco and run through some basic facts on this ever popular sparkling wine:

• Prosecco is only produced in the northern area of Italy most in and around / north of Venice.
• Approximately 450 million bottles are produced annually.
• You can now purchase Rosé Prosecco (up until 2020 there was only white Prosecco).
• 85% of the wine must be made from the Glera grape to include Rosé Prosecco which requires an additional 10 to 15% to be Pinot Noir.
• Prosecco usually has slightly less alcohol compared to Champagne, 11% to 11.5% compared to 12% to 12.5%.
• Prosecco is made via the tank method (Charmat) which sees both fermentations taking place in the tank (second fermentation in the bottle for Champagne).

Prosecco will generally offer floral and pear / apple aromas along with similar flavours. The wine is light, fresh and fruity.

Does Prosecco have any Health Benefits?

Now that we know Prosecco that little bit more we should set about discussing what health benefits it offers. We mostly get to hear about red wine when we think about wine & health and that it is good for the heart – Though my extensive research online from varied accredited and user generated information websites can have a conflict of opinion.

Example headlines include:

‘Glass of red wine a day keeps diabetes at bay‘ – Royal Society of Chemistry

‘A glass of red wine a day could stave off a heart attack or stroke, scientists say‘ – Mirror.co.uk

‘Extra glass of wine a day could shorten your life by 30 minutes‘ – Recover Alaska

‘Red wine may be good for eye health‘ – Eye Clinic London

‘Red wine may not be good for you after all, doctors reveal‘ – The Independent

‘Red wine increases friendly gut bacteria, boosts immune system‘ – Chris Woollams Health Watch

Prosecco can help with reducing your stress levels and much more…

In most articles, it is a positive on wine for health benefits with subjects stretching from stronger hair to improving fertility in men. You will also gather many conflicting bits of information when doing your research where for instance one medical themed website will say wine is good for the heart whereas another will say that wine causes heart problems.

Prosecco contains polyphenols (which translates to plant chemicals holding antioxidant properties) which are said to lower blood pressure and improve your circulation. Another offering in Prosecco is the flavonoids which have antioxidant properties that can help prevent cancer.

Scientists at the University of Reading have shown that the few phenolic compounds found in Prosecco can improve spatial memory, which is responsible for recording information about one’s environment and storing the information for future navigation.

Another topic covered is our skin. Prosecco, once again thanks to the antioxidants, acts to detoxify our skin helping to maintain a more even skin tone to include combating the likes of oily skin.

Antioxidants come into play again when it comes to helping our heart health by improving our blood flow, strengthening blood vessels, protecting against cholesterol build up and preventing clots.

If we include sex in the category for health then Prosecco comes up trumps again in that it holds an important antioxidant character which is said to initiate nitric oxide in our blood which relaxes artery walls – This is said to increase our blood flow down south, creating feelings of sexual excitement.

Today, the 3rd of December 2021 is Elf Day, it was created by the Alzheimer’s Society with the aim to get everyone into the Christmas spirit as well as to raise money to help tackle dementia. They encourage you to dress up as much or as little as you want, it’s a brilliant idea, as Santa always welcomes a helping hand over this joyful season, because not everyone is always able to look forward to Christmas as much as they’d like.

With our Elf ears and hats on, it’s time to enjoy a glass of bubbly with the most loved and joyful workforce in the world.

Let’s start with some simple questions, It’s not often you’re sat in front of a real elf.

You: What kind of music do you like best?

Elf: Wrap music.

You: What was the first thing you learned at school?

Elf: The elf-abet.

You: Did Rudolph go to school?

Elf: No. He was Elf-taught.

Maybe we should pop open our first bottle of bubbly, this bottle has a very fitting green label to start us off, Motzenbacker, which won a Gold medal winner in the Oaky & Toasty category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021.

Motzenbäcker – Kalkstein Riesling Brut – Tasting Notes

Motzenbäcker has a history dating back to 1758, currently, 4 generations of the Menger-Krug family is helping in creating Motzenbäckers Sparkling Wines, they all have their own specialist fields and gift new ideas to their Wine & Sparkling Wine, they all reside in the wine estate Krug´scher Hof and Motzenbäcker.

Aroma “Green fruits, grassy, creamy petroleum, touch of toast on the nose.”

Flavour “Fresh and fruity, green fruits, added grass / nettles / lime flavours.”

Elf: Hey, do you want to hear a joke?

You: Sure!

Elf: How many elves does it take to change a light bulb?

You: I don’t know.

Elf: Ten, One to change it and nine to stand on one another’s shoulders.

Let’s open our second bottle, Lumiére – Delaware, a Sparkling Wine from Japan, which won a Silver Medal in the Topical Burst Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021.

Lumiére – Delaware 2019 – Tasting Notes

Founded by Tokugi Furiya in 1885, this Japanese winery is currently being run by Shigeki Kida, their 5th generation of winemakers. World famous for its quality Japanese wines, Lumiere is a winery located some 110 km from Tokyo to the west. All grapes are picked by hand and their sparkling wines are of the traditional method style.

Aroma “Tropical burst on the nose, banana, green fruits, pastry.”

Flavour “Dry and citrus style initially with dry tropical length.”

Elf: Do you want to know why the dyslexic elf got fired?

You: Why?

Elf: Because he kept writing “From Satan” on every present.

You: One final question, what would be your favourtie Cocktail?

Elf: That would be an ‘Elf on the Beach’.

A delightful conversation with one of Santa’s little helpers, to finish off this experience, let’s pop open a bottle of Villa Sandi to toast not just the big man himself, but to every single little helper that keeps the Christmas spirit alive and creates all the toys for every child across the globe.

Villa Sandi – Prosecco DOC Brut Il Fresco Biologico Organic – Tasting Notes

Located in the picturesque region of Prosecco, with Villa Sandi having a foothold in the region since 1622, thanks to the Moretti Polegato family, for several generations they have dedicated their time producing and sharing their wines and Proseccos around the world.

Aroma “Baked apples, green apples, grass, a sprinkling of lime / lemon zest in aromas.”

Flavour “Fruity flavours, nice and silky style – apples mostly with hints of ripe green pears.”

Merry Christmas Elf-ry0ne

Image Credit

Let’s Find Out A Little Bit More About Some Italian Royalty

Italy had the Royal Monarchy from the 17th of March, 1861, first ruled by Victor Emmanuel II, he was King of Sardinia from 1849 until 17 March 1861, he then assumed the title of King of Italy and made history becoming the first King of a united Italy since the 6th century, he held that position until he died on the 9th of January 1878.

He was followed by his son, Umberto I, who took over on the same day, he reigned until he was assassinated on the 29th of July 1900, during his time in power he saw Italy’s expansion into the Horn of Africa, gaining Eritrea and Somalia and also saw the defeat by Abyssinia at the Battle of Adwa in 1896.

Victor Emmanuel III followed on from his father on the same day he was assassinated, he reigned as King until he abdicated on the 9th of May 1946, he ruled for almost 46 years and he stood through two world wars. Interesting to note that his reign also encompassed the birth, rise, and fall of Italian Fascism and its regime. He went into exile in the great city of Alexandria in Egypt, where he died on the 28th of December 1947, and the following year was buried in St. Catherine’s Cathedral of Alexandria, his remains were later, in 2017 returned to Italy thanks to Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi making an agreement.

Finally, the throne was handed down to Umberto II, but not for long, his reign lasted for only 34 days, from the 9th of May 1946 to the 12th of June 1964, his dad Emmanuel III abdicated believing it would bolster the monarchy after the royal family backed Benito Mussolini in World War II, unfortunately for them, it didn’t, the people voiced their opinions and punished the royal family for what they did, the referendum passed on the 2nd of June, 1946. Umberto II then lived out the rest of his life in exile in Cascais, on the Portuguese Riviera.

Cantina Rotaliana

Located in Northern Italy, at the foot of the breathtaking Dolomites, near the renowned Garda Lake and the city of Trento, Cantina Rotaliana has over 80 years of experience in creating great tasting Wines and Sparkling Wines.

The winery is called Cantina Rotaliana because of a merger back in 1968 when the winery was first created in 1931, it was called Cantina Cooperativa di Mezzolombardo, the winery joined forces with another winery, Società Enologica Rotaliana, to create the name we know today, Cantina Rotaliana di Mezzolombardo.

From 2011 their current head-office was built with modern production and storage areas along with stunning wine-cellars and great marketing areas, even adding tasting and meeting rooms, the space accumulated is over 5000 square meters, all this makes them a fiercely competitive and dedicated wine-producer, able to respond to the challenges of global markets.

Cantina Rotaliana – Trento Doc R Extra Brut – Tasting Notes

Aroma “Tropical coffee, cocoa beans, slow roasted pineapple, mango left in alcohol and various tropical spices.”

Flavour “A silky warming elegant yet adventurous texture, with lemon, apricot, peach, mango, lime, and a touch of spice, with a cinnamon texture at the close on the palate.”

This Italian Sparkling Wine Won a Gold Medal in the First Date Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Once you reach the top of that mountain, which you eventually will, you’re going to want to celebrate, and what better way to celebrate by tasting the stars in your glass, and I think Tiefengraber’s Evana Label is the perfect bottle to enjoy, not just because of the prominent mountain on the label, but because of all the wonders it holds inside the bottle.

Tiefengraber – Evana

This Sparkling Wine is from Slovenia and has a beautiful image of a mountain on its label, this has been a Sparkling Wine that I have wanted to try for a while now, I was drawn in by the label and to my pleasant surprise, the aromas and flavours that I had imagined the Sparkling Wine would deliver, just by looking at the label, were experienced in the glass.

Evana Tiefengraber – Evana Cuvee Brut Zero – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Dry golden fruits, honey and apricot pastry.”

Taste – “An initial pleasant dryness that fades into sweeter golden fruit flavours with honey, yellow rose petal, spices and more.”

This Slovenian Sparkling Wine won a Silver Medal in the Light & Fruity Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021.

Image Credit

Even though Rosé Prosecco hasn’t been around for very long, we still have an outstanding selection to choose from, including Rosés from Villa Sandi, Montelivin and Giusti, which we will most defiantly taste very soon.

Although Rosé Prosecco is fairly new, the idea for it was first mentioned in 2009 by Polegato, a winemaker, he had this to say about the creation of Rosé Prosecco:

“I told the consortium that we should have the opportunity to make a Prosecco DOC Rosé as well,” he remembered. “But I was the only one at the time who wanted to add it to the DOC. But other producers weren’t ready at the time. Now, 11 years later, everyone wants a Prosecco DOC Rosé and everyone is waiting for one. All the great sparkling wine appellations of the world have rosé and we should have one, too. And our clients have been waiting for it as well. So it’s a big moment for me personally.”

But like anything to do with Sparkling Wine, there are regulations that include:

– The wines must be made with a min. of 85% Glera grapes and 10-15% Pinot Noir.
– The Martinotti/Charmat method must be used for the second fermentation and the wines must be aged on their lees for a minimum of 60 days.
– The wines will be classified as brut nature, brut, and extra dry.
– The colour must be a ‘brilliant, more or less intense rose hue’ and the wines must have a lingering effervescence.
– The wines must be vintage dated with the name ‘Millesimato’.
– Wineries will be allowed to sell their wines on January 1 of the year following the harvest.

Rosé Prosecco did very well at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021, bringing home a Trophy and several Gold Medals, the fairly new Rosé Proescco’s have hit the ground running and can only get even better, they were loved among the judges and are loved amongst those who have had the pleasure to enjoy a bottle.

Now let’s pop open the Rosé Prosecco’s themselves, see how different wineries have their own style, flavours and aromas that make each Rosé Prosecco unique.

Villa Sandi

Villa Sandi produces what seems to be like an endless supply of Prosecco, but without ever compromising on quality, no matter what bottle you decide to pick up, especially including their outstanding Trophy Winning Rosé Prosseco, you will get an enjoyable experience,

Located in the picturesque region of Prosecco, with Villa Sandi having a foothold in the region since 1622, thanks to their Palladian-style Villa located among the green hills of the Marca Trevigiana, the Moretti Polegato family, for several generations have dedicated their time producing and sharing their wines and Proseccos around the world.

You can explore The Sparkling Wines of Villa Sandi right here on Glass of Bubbly to see what else they offer.

Villa Sandi – Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut Millesimato 2020 – Tasting Notes

Aroma “Gorgeous pink floral, red apple skins and creamy strawberry aromas.”

Flavour “Delicate sweetness, strawberries, raspberries and pink floral flavours.”

This Rosé Prosecco won the Trophy in the Summer Days Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Montelvini

Montelvini has been around for 135 years, owned by the Serena family, the current owner, Armando Serena has been President of Montelvini since 1968, located in a small region in Montello in Italy, the Serena family has dedicated themselves to producing wine with skill and passion.

Montelvini – Serenitatis Prosecco Doc Rosè Treviso Brut Millesimato 2020  – Tasting Notes

Aroma “Pink floral, strawberries, ripe apples and raspberry leaves.”

Flavour “Soft ripe strawberries, delicate raspberries, yellow pear and pink floral flavours.”

This Rosé Prosecco won a Gold Medal in the Summer Days Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Giusti

The Giusti family’s passion for wine dates back to the 1600s, the journey started when they bought a two-hectare property where Giusti Wine was soon to be established. Giusti Wine came from the original Dal Col vineyard which dated back to 1945, the full name of the company is Società Agricola Giusti-Dal Col srl, Giusti Wine planted their first vineyard in 2002 and grow rapidly with them now having approximately 75 hectares.

Their new Rosé Prosecco is hot off the market, a wonderful blend and a great example of what a Rosé Prosecco can be.

Rosalia – Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Extra Dry Tasting Notes

Aroma  “Soft almost creamy blueberry, blackberry and raspberry with a touch of vanilla on the aroma.” 

Flavour  “A delicate taste of smooth raspberries, strawberries and hints of blueberries and herbal notes, a very enjoyable experience.”

This Rosé Prosecco won a Gold Medal in the First Date Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Bisol

Bisol has been around for 5 centuries since 1542 and has had 21 generations creating great tasting wine, the only time Bisol was interrupted was during the First World War, the Valdobbiadene territory (where Bisol is located) laid right on the battle lines between the Austrian-Hungarian forces and their opponents, the Italians, but in 1920 they were back on track.

The Prosecco region has some of the most spectacular views and when enjoying a glass of Prosecco, being in the vineyard and with the owner makes the whole experience that much more spectacular, It is really something to put on your bucket list, A visit to Bisol Prosecco

Bisol 1542 – Jeio Rosé Brut Millesimato 2020 Prosecco DOC – Tasting Notes

Aroma “Foliage, garden herbs, raspberry leaves, raspberries and strawberries on the aroma.”

Flavour “Red berries, a silky smooth taste, with green characters and yellow apples on the palate.”

This Rosé Prosecco won a Silver Medal in the Summer Days Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Bottega

Standing strong with over four centuries of history in the world of wine and grappa, beginning in 1635, where the forefather of Bottega, Andrea cultivated vines in the hills near Molinetto della Croda in Refrontolo. Fast forward to the 1920’s Domenico Bottega, who was a wine trader and oenologist, identified the best grapes in the vineyard. In 1977 Aldo Bottega along with his wife Rosina founded Distilleria Bottega in Pianzano di Godega (province of Treviso). In 1987 the first blown glass bottles are produced and Distilleria Bottega starts exploring outside Italy, then in 1992 Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco Spumante is created and the winery is added to the distillery, bringing the company into the wine market.

Bottega opened their first Prosecco Bar on January 25ht 2014 on a Viking Line ship in Scandinavia, their wines are exported to more than 140 countries, and since 2017, Bottega Gold is the second best-selling sparkling wine in travel retail according to the IWSR rankings.

Bottega – Pink Gold Prosecco Rosè DOC – Tasting Notes

Aroma “A creamy expression of strawberries, raspberries and pink floral, squirty creamy and apples on the aroma.”

Flavour “Strawberries, raspberries, garden herbs, raspberry leaves, yellow fruits and green fruits on the palate.”

This Rosé Prosecco won a Gold Medal in the Summer Days Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021

Le Rughe

Le Rughe, a Prosecco brand that thanks to Gaetano in the 1960s, currently have 7 different Sparkling Wines to choose from, they produce around 300,000 bottles in a year, with 30 hectares of estate-owned vineyards and 25 shops to help share their Prosecco’s with the wonderful people of Italy and the world.

Le Rughe is a company with three hearts, one in the mountains, in via Cor, which means heart in Latin, one in the hills of the DOCG Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene and one in the plain surrounding Gaiarine, in the province of Treviso, which has been the location of their headquarters since the 1960s.

Le Rughe – Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut Millesimato 2020 – Tasting Notes

Aroma “A ripe creamy, ice cream aroma, raspberry ripple ice cream, strawberries pink floral and strawberry sweets on the aroma.”

Flavour “A fizzy raspberry, strawberry and green apples, foliage, at the close you’re left with a nice creamy taste.”

This Rosé Prosecco won a Gold Medal in the Summer Days Category at the Glass of Bubbly Awards 2021