|
 If you were to select a sparkling wine bottle in a Retail Store by the looks and appearance or the colour of the liquid inside , you will most likely pick up this one from the shelf- it has a nice curvaceous bottle and the salmon pink colour through the colourless bottle reminds you of Rose in Provence, the French capital of still Rosé wines. But then you look at the price and wonder if it is a cheap wine! At Rs. 1600 a bottle in Delhi it is worth much more value than the price indicates. Although no discounts are allowed in Delhi, buyers are known to squeeze the retailers for a 5% discount .
In Gurgaon where there is no MRP, the Suggested Price is Rs. 1500 (excise duties are lower). But one may manage further discount of Rs. 100 or so. One may buy in all the Discovery Wines outlets in Gurgaon and bring to Delhi but be warned it is illegal to carry more than 2 bottles at a time inter-state. Caution is advised.
Technically speaking it is not a Prosecco but a mere Spumante (sparkling wine with pressure around 5 atmospheric bars- pretty much like Champagne). It is also made in the similar process as Prosecco- the second fermentation is done in the tank and not in the bottle. Since it is not made from the Glera grapes which are mandatory for making Prosecco but the red Merlot grapes, it is termed Brut (residual sugar under 12 gms/lit). The wine can be consumed now or even stored for 2-3 years which is important for the Indian conditions.
Knowing the Indian palate that likes softer wines which are not too dry, I have recommended this wine to dozens of my followers during the last one year or so since it was introduced in Delhi and till date no one has said anything less than ‘Wow’ after drinking it.
The Prosecco style process makes the wine very soft and luscious with plenty of effervescence and mousse but very light, fruity and easy on the palate. There are fruity aromas of cherries that follow through in the flavour as well. Unlike some wines that tend to become unpleasantly tannic unless taken with light meats, they are quite soft and in the background only. The colour of the wine is in any case very pleasing to the eyes. Aromas are fair for a ‘Prosecco’ nee Spumante. The wine is quite zingy on the palate. It’s a relatively simple and quaffable wine and decent prices. Suitable as aperitif or even with vegetarian meals and lightly cooked and medium spicy fish and chicken as it cleanses the palate. Served chilled at 9-11°C. Alcohol 11.5% Rating  |