Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Brut

Exuberant and fresh like spring, the Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Brut embodies all that is good about the awakening land. It proffers the scents of pear, apple, and white peach, all of which are entwined in a delicate, round body. In addition, what makes this Prosecco even more appealing is that it sparkles and caresses, without ever trying to imitate Champagne. Although dry and refreshing on the palate, the Nino Franco never slips into austerity; it doesn't pretend to be Chardonnay or Pinot Noir either, and it remains forever lively, sprite, and wholly approachable. Moreover, the Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Brut is a clean, natural tasting, no headache kind of sparkler that is just plain fun to drink. In fact, the Nino Franco goes down r-e-a-l easy. Indeed, it is a good thing that you only receive a single bottle of each wine every month because with the Nino Franco (Prosecco) you would be surely tempted to open a second bottle to share with yourself horrors! Enjoy the Nino Franco Rustico fairly well chilled, and as often as you can.

Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Brut is the perfect anytime sparkler. In the Veneto, good sparking Prosecco is an afternoon tradition, beginning with a summer lunch or wedding celebration. It is also provides the sparkle for an evening party or a romantic interlude. The Nino Franco Rustico will provide the perfect companion to all of those events and more. It also makes for a wonderful aperitif, and it pairs well with most hors-d'oeuvres. We also suggest that you try it with risotto, fish, and light meats. Shrimp, scallops, sautéed shellfish, and lightly fried tempura dishes offer other tasty propositions with the Nino Franco. With such an eminent drink ability and a friendly welcoming spirit, the Nino Franco Prosecco is truly an anytime the spirit moves you kind of wine, making it easy to see why Prosecco is undeniably the wine of the Veneto and Nino Franco its favored son.

The Nino Franco Winery is located in Valdobbiadene among the Alpine foothills, north of the Piave River in the upper reaches of the Veneto. Valdobbiadene is the finest production zone for Prosecco, and Nino Franco is its consummate craftsman. Some years ago, Primo Franco took over this estate from his father, Nino Franco, invested heavily in improvements to the winery and vineyards, thereby transforming this estate into the region's foremost producer of sparkling Prosecco much to our delight. Today Primo Franco takes an active part in governing the Prosecco DOC, setting high standards of quality for Italy's most beloved sparkling wine and assuring the preeminence of the region's vineyards as the most meticulously tended in Italy. Prosecco is a native Italian varietal, which deserves the beloved status it has long been accorded in its homeland and the recent attention it has garnered abroad. In its native Veneto, Prosecco is a staple in every welcoming home and the symbol of Venetian conviviality. It is routinely offered to houseguests and served at nearly every wedding and Sunday luncheon. From any afternoon affair to the wee hours of the morning to the occasional sip before lunch, life in the Veneto just would simply not be the same without Prosecco. From Venice to the Dolomite Alps, Prosecco is undeniably the wine of the Veneto. Although Prosecco can be made sparkling or still, the emphasis in Valdobbiadene, as in most of the Veneto, is on the beautiful, dry, lightly sparkling versions like Nino Franco Rustico. However, it is with Prosecco's predominance as a sparkling wine that the inevitable comparison with Champagne ends. DOC regulation allows for a wide range of styles and techniques, resulting in a host of fresh, delicious bubbly that is meant to be consumed young, and with abandon. Alcohol levels for Prosecco are typically lower than for Champagne, usually no more than 10.5%-11%. In most Prosecco, the mousse (bubbles) is intentionally soft and non aggressive, to heighten rather than mask fruit flavors. Both bone dry and slightly sweet sparkling versions of Prosecco can still be found, but such wines are more the exception today rather than the rule. Most producers, Nino Franco included, make several different Prosecco wines. In addition to the Rustico, Nino Franco's most popular wine, the firm turns out two other excellent sparkling wines from Prosecco and a lovely still Prosecco called Sassi Bianchi. No other wines are produced at Nino Franco, allowing this great house to concentrate on what it does best make delicious, quaffable Prosecco that will make an aficionado out of even the most ardent opponent of Champagne.

Note: Nino Franco Rustico is completely delicious unadorned, but it is worth mentioning that Prosecco mixed with white peach juice is the authentic Bellini. And as with any sparkling wine, be sure the wine is well-chilled and exercise caution in opening the Nino Franco as the wine is under pressure. When opening, always firmly hold the cork and wire stopper, while pointing the bottle away from anyone or anything fragile. Enjoy!