Sottoriva Col Fondo Malibran 2020

Sottoriva Col Fondo Prosecco, natural method, cloudy, light, dry, refreshing, authentic Italian sparkling wine. Sottoriva is unique Prosecco, made in the nearly lost traditional method of spontaneous re-fermentation in the bottle with no added yeast or sugar. The colour of the wine is unusually cloudy, almost grey. This natural wild colour is the result of a wine which has had nothing removed post fermentation. The dead yeast cells, lees and other solids that colour the wine give it its unique character and honest identity. It is dry, light, delicate in aroma and on the palate. The mousse is light and naturally uplifting. This is wine of pure simple enjoyment and unpretentious drinkability. Allow it to settle in the bottle for an hour before popping the cap but then finish the murky leesy last glass as well as this the soul of the wine and of the Valdobbiadene region. Also available in Magnum form, which is a pretty spectacular way of drinking it. Remember Prosecco or any really good sparkling wine is always better in a proper wine glass which displays the aroma is easy to drink from. Flute glasses are for chinkin, not for drinkin!

When the fizzy wine quaffers of the UK got into Prosecco, the producers of the small region in the Veneto must have been dancing with joy.

They knew we would put this stuff away and by heck we do! But, there are many faces to Prosecco, all are charming, fresh, youthful and easy but amongst the highly industrial, it is rare to find such artisanal gems making their way into the UK market. Maurizio Favrel is still a young guy and he is now well established as one of the best small produces in the region. He is based in Sussegana at a winery started by his Grandfather Gregorio. He focusses on quality over quantity, making only around 100 000 bottles a year of various Cuvee, using traditional methods such as Col Fondo, minimal sulphur and spontaneous refermentation.