For those of you still nursing wounds from juvenile exploits with Asti Spumante, Riunite, or Crackling Chablis, do not allow the denomination "Spumante"to induce paroxysms of nausea and/or shame. This is an extremely serious methode champenoise sparkling wine benefiting from a longer period on the lees of the second fermentation than most Champagne.
Made by the Orsolani family, who've been producing this type of stuff since '72. This one gets four years on the 2° fermentation lees, for what that's worth. 13% alcohol, 100% Erbaluce.
This is definitely a serious sparkling wine. Deep yellow color, fine bead, biscuity nose. Very complex and intense flavors, with some floral notes, plenty of toast, some leesy yeastiness, nuttiness, medium body, a rather startling sourness in the mid-palate, pretty long finish. I don't drink a lot of high-end sparkling wine, so I have little to offer in the way of comparison. But this was one that made me sit up and take notice. This one's still available on the website and I may pick up some more for the $24 that they're asking.
Mike