I was happy to taste test three Italian sparkling wines, one whose vintages date back to 1902, who wouldn’t? And though Ferrari wines are not related to Ferrari sports cars, the same feeling of luxury accompanied all three:
Ferrari Perle 2007
Eve’s Tasting Notes
First Impression: the entire glass filled with racing bubbles from bottom to top, and a white ribbon of attractive foam for five minutes after pouring, against a color of pale sunlight. Maybe it was the Champagne flute, but I think not, these bubbles probably would have had a nice long length in any kind of glass. Aromas of sliced Meyer lemons, hard cheddar cheese and crispy French bread were followed by flavors of green apple, tart lemons, pineapple and kiwi. Thirty minutes later I got more fruit on the nose and palate as the bubbles finally gave way, though a fresh pour from the open bottle brought them all back again. Was really quite exquisite.
Website: A vintage Blanc de Blancs of incontrovertible excellence, obtained
just from Chardonnay grapes from the Lunelli family’s own vineyards.
After a long period of maturation in the bottle it becomes a synthesis
of elegance, freshness and harmonious complexity.
Grapes
A strict selection of just Chardonnay grapes, harvested by hand
in mid-September.
Length of maturation
around 5 years on selected yeasts
from Ferrari’s own cultures
Production zone
Hillside vineyards owned by the Family in the best area of Trentino, lying at 300 – 700 meters (985 – 2,300 ft.) above sea level and
with south-easterly or south-westerly exposure.
Alcohol level
12.5% vol.
First vintage produced
1971
Ferrari Brut NV
Eve’s Tasting Notes
Large bubbles in a straw-colored Brut followed by aromas of freshly sliced red delicious apples, peach and cantaloupe. In the mouth it was different: green apples, pear, the pucker of lime, reminiscent of a very carbonated club soda. I liked the difference between aroma and taste, makes for interesting conversation.
| Website: The historic label of the Ferrari Winery and an icon of the perfect symbiosis between the terroir of Trentino and ChardonnayGrapes Only Chardonnay, picked by hand Length of maturation Al least 24 months, on selected Production zone Various communes of the Province of Trento in the Val d’Adige, Alcohol level 12.5% vol. First vintage produced 1902 |
|
Ferrari Rose NV
Eve’s Tasting Notes
The color of cranberries washed with orange juice or apricots, a head like the Perle and plenty of bubbles but nowhere near as many. Darn it, but that idea of cranberries stuck through to the nose, completed by sweet plums and more red berries – though I kept my eyes closed in an attempt to fool myself. On the palate some ripe red berries – something that would blend well with OJ in a cocktail – strawberries and cool wet stones. I wouldn’t describe it as sweet, in comparison with dessert wines, but there was enough sweetness that I would love to pair the wine with semi-soft or even a Roquefort cheese. This was decidedly something to linger over, with or without food.
From website: This is an intriguing and captivating Classic Method sparkling
wine, obtained from a premium blend of Pinot Nero
(vinified as a rosé) and Chardonnay.
Grapes
60% Pinot Nero and 40% Chardonnay, harvested by hand
between late August and early September.
Length of maturation
At least 24 months, on selected yeasts
from Ferrari’s own cultures.
Production zone
Hillsides around Trento, over 300 meters (985 ft.)
above sea level and with south-easterly or south-westerly
exposure.
Alcohol level
12.5% vol.
First vintage produced
1969
