Made in Italy bubbles: authentic and surprising

In 2024, according to recent data released by the Uiv-Ismea Wine Observatory, as many as one billion bottles of sparkling wine were produced and marketed in our country: a record figure that testifies to the lively production of bubbles in Italy.

With 70 D.O.C. and 17 D.O.C.G. designations, the Italian peninsula boasts a wide variety of productions spread all over the boot, from the valleys of Alto Adige to the hills of Veneto and as far as Apulia, Sicily and Sardinia.

A veritable wine treasure trove studded with oenological gems produced from traditional Italian grapes, very often rediscovered and enhanced thanks to the passion and stubbornness of the producers who are part of our Bollicine da uve italiane project. We tell you about 14 of them with which to toast during the festive season.

VALLE D'AOSTA

Cave Mont Blanc - X.T. Extra Brut Morgex

Born at an altitude of 1,100 metres, in the shadow of Mont Blanc, between the vineyards of Morgex and La Salle, in Valle d'Aosta, the Spumante Metodo Classico X.T. of Cave Mont Blanc. Produced from pure Prié Blanc grapes harvested strictly by hand, this wine expresses all the originality and authentic character of the native vine from which it derives.

Straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections and a fine, persistent perlage, X.T by Cave Mont Blanc expresses itself with intense and elegant mineral hints that frame a bouquet of fruit and mountain herbs, almond, citrus and white flowers. The palate is fresh and agile, with an acidic lash well balanced by the savouriness and smoothness of the sip. Excellent as an aperitif, it is perfect to uncork paired with grilled Jambon Cuit or with shellfish and seafood.

PIEMONTE

Ilaria Salvetti - Erbaluce di Caluso Eolga

In Caluso, on the hills of the Ivrea Morainic Amphitheatre, Ilaria Salvetti and her family dedicate themselves to the cultivation of Erbaluce, an indigenous white berry variety, producing artisanal wines of great territorial identity. An example of this is Erbaluce Eolga, made from grapes of the same name selected by hand and vinified using only indigenous yeasts before ageing for six months on fine lees. The result is a sparkling wine of great expressive finesse declined in a bouquet of delicate hawthorn and jasmine scents and aromas of white-fleshed fruit. On the palate, it is fresh, savoury and persistent, with a harmonious and lightly aromatic sip, underpinned by a lively freshness, traversed by a crisp savoury trail. Perfect with seafood dishes or risottos or pasta with vegetables.

LIGURIA

Sancio - Lumassina Brut Lady Chatterley

In the picturesque landscape that includes Spotorno, Vezzi San Giorgio, Orco Feglino, Finale Ligure and Celle Ligure stand the vineyards of the Sancio winery, overlooking the traditional Ligurian dry stone wall terraces. The wines produced by the company reflect the peculiarities of this hilly area of the Ligurian hinterland, such as Lumassina Brut Lady Chatterley. This Metodo Classico made from the Lumassina grape (grown in limited quantities in the Genoa area) stands out for its citrus and floral notes that give way to herbaceous hints, typical of the variety. In the mouth it is creamy, savoury and mineral: a balanced sip ideal as a fresh aperitif, but also enjoyed with fish dishes (such as sea bass Ligurian style) or white meats, as well as with a Genoese focaccia with mortadella.

LOMBARDIA

Conti Thun - Bolle di Micaela Brut Rosé

A Martinotti Method sparkling wine obtained from the first pressing of Groppello Gentile, an indigenous red grape variety cultivated since 1500 on the Brescia side of Lake Garda: this is Brut Rosè Bolle di Micaela from the Conti Thun winery in Puegnago del Garda (BS). A fragrant, fresh and lively bubble that captivates not only for its bright pink colour but also for its intense bouquet with floral notes reminiscent of roses and an aromatic bouquet of wild strawberries, raspberry, lime and pomegranate. On the palate it is fresh, savoury and mineral, well expressing the interaction between grapes and terroir. Perfect with cured meats and cheeses as an aperitif, it also goes well with white meat dishes, fish tartare and shellfish, but also with pizza.

TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

Endrizzi - Negron de Orzan Extra Brut Blanc de Noir

A long history of passion and men who have believed in their work and in their terroir: founded in 1885, Endrizzi is one of the oldest wineries in Trentino, and a witness to the vine-oenology of this region. Always dedicated to the production of wines with character and authenticity, an expression of the territory and its complex interweaving of microclimates, Endrizzi has also declined in its commitment to valorising the peculiarities of its land in the recovery of a very rare local grape variety, Negron de Orzan. From these indigenous grapes, grown in the Madonina di Civezzano vineyard, comes Negron de Orzan Extra Brut Blanc de Noir Metodo Classico. Ruby red in colour, this bubbly wine offers an elegant bouquet on the nose, of red fruits among which redcurrants stand out, notes of yeast and bread crust, deriving from ageing on yeasts. On the palate, it is fresh and mineral, with a nice structure and creaminess and fine, persistent bubbles. To be enjoyed as an aperitif, but also with seafood starters, shellfish, sushi, fish carpaccio, fresh cheese and poultry dishes.

VENETO

Tonello - Lessini Durello Pas Dosè Riserva IoAura

A Metodo Classico Riserva created with 100% Durella grapes, an indigenous variety that finds its highest expression in the heart of the Lessini Mountains, between Vicenza and Verona, and in the dedication and innovative vision of Diletta Tonello. Dedicated to the goddess of the wind that brings new life and prosperity, ioAura matures on the lees in the bottle for 60 months: the result is a structured bubbly that is both elegant and decisive. A straw-yellow to golden pas dosé with a fine and persistent perlage, it offers aromas of bread crust, vanilla and ripe fruit, while in the mouth the yeast aroma gives way to a unique sensation of freshness. The ideal accompaniment for white meat dishes but also fried or grilled fish, seafood or vegetable risottos.

FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA

Albino Armani - Ribolla Gialla Brut

At the foot of the Carnic Alps, in the north of Friuli, in the heart of Friuli's Grave region, the vineyards grow on a meagre soil, more than 80% composed of gravel and stones, the so-called ‘claps’. Cultivating vines in this area means accepting the austere profile of a sometimes harsh nature, from which, however, grapes with intense and characteristic aromas are born, such as Ribolla Gialla, of which Albino Armani makes a sparkling version, combining the refined minerality of the terroir with the floral and citrus fragrance conferred by the long resting time on the lees. A sparkling wine with a fine and persistent perlage, excellent freshness and tanginess, with a broad sip and a long, dry finish.

Excellent with traditional Friulian dishes such as crispy frico, but also with baccalà mantecato, mussels au gratin, octopus and potato salad, seafood risotto, spaghetti with sea urchins and pumpkin tortelli.

EMILIA ROMAGNA

Mariotti - Brut Nature Abbatia

Producing local wines in the tradition of Emilia, with great attention to the ancestral "refermentazione in bottiglia", is the mission of Azienda Agricola Mariotti di Argenta (FE), among the first and most active realities in promoting the wines of the Ferrara sands. Its wines, which are rooted in a unique terroir, characterized by a humid environment with impenetrable fogs and sandy soils, give off a rare and unique personality. The most important grape in these areas is the Fortana grape that Mariotti has vinified in purity using the Metodo Classico Brut Nature Abbatia, with pink gold colour and clear and compact bubbles. Ideal as an aperitif and in combination with grilled fish, shrimp and scampi dishes but also cold cuts, the sparkling wine boasts fresh fruity aromas of mandarin and red fruits, with pleasant textures of vegetality. In the mouth, the perlage caresses the palate leaving it fresh and clean and closes with a typical savory note.

Paltrinieri - Grosso Lambrusco di Modena Dosaggio Zero

Among the oldest cultivated varieties in Italy, Lambrusco di Sorbara is at the center of the work of valorization carried out by four generations from the local winery Paltrinieri, that exclusively vinifies the grapes harvested in the vineyards located in a thin strip of land between the rivers Secchia and Panaro. This sparkling wine Metodo Classico with zero dosage stands out in the glass for its copper tone with golden reflections, intoxicating the nose with toasted notes and almost caramelized dried fruit, green hazelnut, hints of loreali, balsamic and resin scents. Fresh, savory and elegant on the palate: to be enjoyed as an aperitif but also with river and lake fish, with Parma ham, salami and fried.

 MARCHE

Cossignani - L.E. Tempo Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs

A Metodo Classico organic sparkling wine, produced from autochthonous grapes of Pecorino, vitingo present in the territory of Piceno since 1500: bets on the vocation of the Marche for bubbles the winery Cossignani L.E. Tempo, led by brothers Letizia and Edoardo. The archaic character of Pecorino finds in the area of Val Menocchia the ideal conditions to express its striking acidity and savoury. Bright straw yellow, the Blanc de Blancs caresses the palate with a soft foam and a delicate but persistent perlage. The nose is dominated by an important aromatic citrus freshness, punctuated by delicate notes of melted butter. In the mouth it is lively, fresh, dry and savory, with a balanced aromatic intensity. With its excellent persistence and structure it is accompanied by fish appetizers and white meats.

CAMPANIA

I Borboni - Asprinio d'Aversa Cripto

The Classic Method Asprinio d'Aversa Cripto represents the commitment of the Numeroso family, at the helm of the I Borboni winery, in recovering a variety that was in danger of being forgotten, the Asprinio, symbol of the region’s wine heritage. Preserving the authentic essence of the territory, The Bourbons take up the tradition of using Asprinio to produce prestigious sparkling wines. Cripto is a bubble of intense straw yellow color, with a persistent foam and a fine perlage, the result of an aging for at least 38 months. The aromatic bouquet is characterized by intense scents of fruity, citrus and floral fragrances while on the palate the taste is dry, strong and balanced. Ideal to drink at the whole meal, it goes well with crudités of sea and crustaceans, fried and mozzarella di bufala.

PUGLIA

Weno Cantina in Valle d'Itria - Verdeca Pas Dosé Mavù

An oenological adventure that combines tradition and innovation, the winery of Weno in the Itria Valley which preserves the authenticity of the territory by cultivating with passion native vines, to promote their excellent peculiarities giving life to unique wines in their genre, through new methodologies, never before tried.

Thus the Verdeca grape, arrived in Itria thanks to the ancient Greeks, is vinified in purity to produce Mavù a pas dosé sparkling wine that ages in bottle for at least 36 months. An elegant Classic Method that gives hints of ripe apricot, hazelnut and slight notes of bread crust, while in the mouth it is fresh, savory and with a new balsamic note. To drink with friends as an aperitif or as a side dish with oysters, fish carpacci, sushi and sea salads.

 SICILIA

Curto - Spumante Extra Brut Rosé

In the territory of Ispica, in the suggestive south-east of Sicily, the history of the Curto family and its winery is closely linked to the Nero d'Avola. With passion and dedication, the company, now led by Francesca and his contemporary vision, manages vineyards and water resources according to the principles of sustainable viticulture, with an eye always attentive to the elegance and authenticity of Nero d'Avola in all its expressions. The love for what is considered to be the quintessential Sicilian autochthonous vine has led to the birth of the sparkling wine Extra Brut Rosé, which enchants with its brilliant pink color and its fine and persistent perlage.

Fragrant and fruity in the nose, with hints of strawberries and mulberry, the taste is crisp and savory, with a sour note that leaves room on the finish to hints of fresh fruit perfectly balanced. Perfect with caviar, tuna bottarga but also with cured meats and fine cheeses.

SARDEGNA

Quartomoro - Q Brut Nature

Producing wines that are expression of the Sardinian land, its biodiversity and the varieties of grapes grown in this region is the goal of the winery Quartomoro who in 2009 decides to try to produce sparkling wine driven by curiosity "to see, feel and taste a traditional Sardinian grape with bubbles". Thus, from the grapes of Vermentino, Q, a sparkling wine that is aged on yeasts for 24 months gives a pleasant olfactory complexity, with floral hints and Mediterranean herbs, all supported by a good minerality. The palate is lively, fresh and elegant, with a good balance between notes of iodine, ripe fruit and spices. To be enjoyed throughout the meal, with a menu based on fish and white meat but also with pizza and savoury cakes.