NV Paterno Di Vittoria Mimi Brut Rose Frappato Spumante (Rose Sparkling)

"The Italian bubbly juggernaut rolls on, far from the expensive fields of Franciacorta or Prosecco in the north! The southeast of Sicily makes some of the best dry sparkling wine in the whole country! Now, the big variety here for international consumption is Nero d'Avola. I know how it got its international buzz: it makes big, dark, alcoholic wine! But local winemakers far prefer the much gentler, much lighter, much more subtle Frappato, which they blend with Nero d'Avola in wines like Cerasuola di Vittoria. Winemaker Antonio Paterno of Paterno di Vittoria, mild and humble, has an amazing story.  He's a wine-loving accountant who started making wine fairly recently in the area of Vittoria (one of my fave spots in Italy)--and simply has the magic. I tasted this bubbly rosé made from Frappato at a big tasting in Vittoria, and I flipped. It ain't just me: Decanter recently gave the wine a huge thunbs up as well. Major statement ahead: this dry, elegant, finely-etched methode champenoise bubbly rosé is probably the best rosé sparkler outside of good rosé Champagne that I have ever tasted! Beautiful light orange-pink color. Slightly yeasty Champange-like nose. Creamy feel. Berry fruit on the palate, with yeast and earth all around it. Great electric acidity. What a winner!" - David Rosengarten