2016 Nino Franco ‘Grave di Stecca’ Prosecco DOCG

Light and airy, this lovely sparkler has inviting aromas of ripe white stone fruit, spring blossoms and baking spice. On the dry, foaming palate, an elegant perlage and fresh acidity accompany ripe yellow apple, Bartlett pear, vanilla pastry cream and a hint of white almond.

The 2016 Brut Grave di Stecca showcases a brilliant golden color in the glass, with a dazzling bouquet of peach preserves and sweetly spiced florals contrasted by wild herbs and crushed stone. This is creamy in texture yet angular in feel, pinching at the cheeks with zesty acidity while also delivering masses of ripe orchard fruits and inner flowery perfumes that arch across the palate. It leaves hints of ginger and a bitter twang of toasted hazelnut to linger, yet the end note here is one of cleansing freshness. The 2016 is not about power or fruit; it's about delicacy and graceful impact. I love it. The Grave di Stecca is a single-vineyard hillside Clos of old Glera vines in Valdobbiadene.