In late September, we had an opportunity to travel to Washington DC for a tasting of sparkling wines from the mountainous region of Italy around Trento. These classic method sparkling wines were impressive and the first wines from this region that we tasted. The event was put on by Colangelo & Partners, an integrated communications agency based in New York and San Francisco. We have attended wine events arranged by Colangelo & Partners in the past and they are always superb. The tasting and lunch took place at the Maxwell Park Wine Bar, just a couple blocks from the Convention Center.

We met Sabrina Schench from Trentodoc who explained that they are here in Washington DC to introduce the sparkling wines from their high elevation vineyards in Northeastern Italy. During the short, ten-minute presentation we learned that the region has done well in an international sparkling wine competition. Trentodoc sparkling wines led the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Competition (CSWWC) with 27 gold medals and 19 silver medals. In addition, a Trentodoc producer was awarded the Sparkling Winery of the Year. 

The sparkling wine area is predominated with plantings of Chardonnay. Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) plantings are on the increase. To a lesser extent there are also plantings of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier. These grape thrive in the mountains where diurnal temperature swings help preserve the grapes acidity and phenols. The soils are mostly a combination of limestone, alluvium soil and rocks. The vineyards in the Dolomites Mountains give the wines a signature terroir influence.

Sparkling Wines

We tasted 11 sparkling wines and then had lunch. We were asked to pair the lunch with our favorite sparkling wines tasted. Four wines were served in the first flight. The Trentodoc Cantina D’isera 1907 Brut NV was made entirely from Chardonnay. The sparkling wine, with 12.5% alcohol had a light yellow color. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a central mousse on the wine’s surface. Apple and pear notes were met with racy acidity and a lively mouthfeel. There was some chalk on the aftertaste. This sparkling wine retails for $26.

The Moser 51,151 Brut NV was also crafted with 100% Chardonnay. The light yellow colored wine had multiple columns if tiny bubbles forming a circumferential mousse on the wine’s surface. The 12.5% alcohol sparkling wine had apple on the aroma and taste. The mouthfeel was creamy and a tad heavier than the previous wine. There was chalk on the aftertaste for this wine that retails for $35.00.

At a retail price of $40, the Maso Martis Brut Bio NV was made with 100% Chardonnay. With 12.5% alcohol, this light yellow colored sparkling wine had multiple columns of tine bubbles forming a central and circumferential mousse on the surface. Apple and freshly baked bread were on the aroma and taste. The wine had a creamy mouthfeel.

The last sparkling wine in this first flight was the Revi Dosaggio Zero Millesimato 2015. This vintage sparkling wine had 12.5% alcohol and was a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero. The yellow colored wine had a golden hue. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed several circles on the wine’s surface. Apples and flowers were noticed on the aroma and taste. The wine had racy acidity and a creamy mouthfeel. The aftertaste had some mineral and freshly baked bread. This was my favorite sparkling wine of the flight and retails for $34.

The second flight also had four sparkling wines with a bit more aging on the lees than the first flight. The flight began with the Endrizzi Piancastello Riserva 2014. This vintage sparkling wine was one of my favorites of the day and the one I paired with lunch. The yellow colored sparkling wine was a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero and had 13% alcohol. There were multiple columns of tiny bubbles forming several circular mousse on the wine’s surface. Freshly baked bread, apples and pears were on the aroma and taste. The creamy mouthfeel was accompanied with lively acidity. Mineral and freshly baked bread were on the aftertaste.

The Altemasi Brut Millesimato 2013 was made entirely of Chardonnay. The 12.5% alcohol wine had a yellow color. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a circumferential mousse on the surface. Apple and freshly baked bread were noticed on the aroma and taste. The wine had a racy acidity and retails for $30.

The Ferrari Perlé 2013 was also made entirely with Chardonnay. The yellow colored wine had 12.5% alcohol. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a circumferential mousse on the surface. Freshly baked bread and apple were on the aroma and taste. The mouthfeel was extremely creamy. The aftertaste had mineral and freshly baked bread. The wine was aged on the lees for 60 months and retails for $40.

The last sparkling wine in this second flight was the Letrari Brut  Riserva 2013. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, was aged for 60 months. The dark yellow colored sparkling wine had a gold hue, and had 12.5% alcohol. The wine had multiple columns of tiny bubbles forming a central mousse on the surface. Freshly baked bread, apple and pear were on the aroma and taste. The creamy mouthfeel had racy acidity. The aftertaste offered freshly baked bread, pear and mineral. The retail for this sparkling wine was $43.

The third flight had three wines to taste. Retailing for $50, the yellow colored Monfort Riserva 2012 was a blend of mostly Chardonnay with a bit of Pinot Nero. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a small central mousse. Apple, pear and freshly baked bread were on the aroma and taste for this sparkling wine that spent 60 months aging on the lees. The creamy mouthfeel had lively acidity. 

The Cesarini Sforza Riserva 1673 was made entirely with Chardonnay. With 12.5% alcohol, this yellow colored wine had multiple columns of tiny bubbles forming a several central and a circumferential mousse. Freshly baked bread, apple and pear were on the aroma and taste for this sparkling wine that spent 60 months on the lees. The creamy mouthfeel was accompanied by racy acidity. The aftertaste offered mineral, freshly baked bread and apple. The wine retails for $36.

Our last wine of the flight was the Rotari Brut 40th Anniversary 2011. This 100% Chardonnay sparkling wine retails for $40. The yellow colored wine with a gold hue had 12.5% alcohol. Columns of tiny bubbles formed a circumferential mousse. Freshly baked bread and apple were on the aroma and taste for this sparkling wine that aged for 50 months. The mouthfeel had racy acidity and the aftertaste offered freshly baked bread, mineral and apple.

These sparkling wines from TrentoDOC were eye opening. This region of Northeastern Italy is producing approachable sparkling wines ready for the world’s stage.

Cheers,
Terry