Cartizze Spumante Superiore Prosecoo

Green gold with fine persistent bubbles. Shy but inviting nose and light palate of ripe yellow apple and lightly singed toast. A hint of mineral and citrus rind weave in and out. Finish is loony and continues the palate without the bitterness that can show in some DOC Proseccos. Drink when you buy it as an excellent starter with antipasti or crudite.

Pale green gold with quickly dissipating white mousse and very fine bubbles. Shy nose and medium palate of ripe green apple and chalk. Firm acidity (of course) and a lingering finish that doesn't go dark and bitter as can happen with some lower-level Prosecco. Excellent balance between the fruitiness and brightness makes for a top of line Prosecco experience. Drink now as a starter or with salads and light seafood. Brunch is understood.

Very pale straw with pale green highlights and elegant tiny bubbles. Shy but inviting nose of honeysuckle and Bosc pear. Bright palate yields honeysuckle nectar, ripe pear, and a hint of flinty mineral mid palate to finish. That Glera darkness suggests itself but never fully shows, making this one of the most delightful Prosecco experiences one will ever have. Valdobbiadene is the top level of Prosecco and Cartizze is the pinnacle of Valdo. And it shows. I dare say this even works as an alternative to NV Champagne (blanc de blancs, of course). Pair with salads and pungent cheeses (I’m having pear and bleu cheese on butter lettuce) as a starter, or with a main course of light fish or poultry. Brunch is understood. Drink it when you buy it.