Pere Ventura, Cava, Rosat.

The final sparkling of our last Country Mix slot is a fizz that should appeal to those that find Brut Cava, n.v Champagne or Crements a little too dry. This is a semi-sec Cava from the Cava region of Penedes in Northern Spain.
This also won the 2009 Gold Star Award for Sparkling wine under €25.
A raspberry cool-aid colour in the glass with good bubbles. The nose is like a summer fruit salad of soft red berries with a slight yeastiness. The palate is strawberries with a creaminess, sweet fruit and good fizz.
When holidaying in Northern Spain a couple of years ago we spent a good bit of time in this Cava bar.Not an English speaking person in sight nor a seat or table. The set-up was slightly alien to us Irish. On purchasing a bottle of the 4 Cavas on offer you were force fed - for free!!. If seen from the high counter, four man deep bar by one of the fast speaking Cava bar employees they would harass you until you were holding something resembling red meat in a bun wrapped in a white paper napkin. The food was delicious and the more you drank the better both the Cava and the food tasted. So, as served in your local Cava bar try red meat with this Rosat, if this doesn't float your food pairing boat try one of Darina Allen's Summer puddings or just chill and drink instead of a Cosmopolitan- Worked well in my house last Saturday.
O&O

Ruth.

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Innocent Bystander ,Pink Moscato 2009, Victoria ,South Australia

They say all great things come in small packages, this 375ml bottle of fizz with its bottle cap (crown closure) to me is one for sure. 

It's a happy, fun, fruity little number that is only 5.5% alcohol, and very easy to drink. It's something that can be sipped on while enjoying the sun, out in the garden, or a great way to kick start your Sunday brunch.

The company was founded in 2004 by Philip Sexton who made his money in the beer business before venturing into the wine business. (you can get the pink moscato on draft at their cellar door) Moscato is a grape originating from Northern Italy's Piedmont and something the Australians have started to make  a good  job  of copying. 

The nose is Watermelons, Rose petals, Peaches, also a touch of turkish delight. If there is such a thing as summer time in a glass, to me this is it! It just tastes like more. The palate is very refreshing with a lovely spritz of sherbet like fizz .I would recommend this with any fruit based desserts, or as the Aussies like to drink it with a straw!

One to seek out over the Summer months.
Retails @ €5.99. 

Cheers,

Julie

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Jeio Desiderio Cuvee Rose ...One for mammies day!

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Our first radio spot coincided with Mothers day, and we decided to focus on Italian wines for that celebration! As rumour has it that the Italian mother is even more dedicated to her sons (and daughters!) than our own doting mammies here in Ireland..!


I chose JEIO DESIDERIO CUVEE ROSE which is a lovely pink sparkling wine, made high in the hills around Valdobbiadene just west of Venice where the best Prosecco is made.

This is a really lovely area with small rolling hillocks of vines angled in every conceivable direction and floating morning mists that burn off as the sun rises.

Julie and I happened to be there during the last Papal conclave and even though I am not religious (at all!) I will always remember standing in the silence of the Bisol vineyards, looking down on to a tiny Italian village, and hearing the bell peel in its little church, to signify that a pope had just been elected. It was around ten to four!

Anyway, back to the actual wine……As this wine is a pink colour it obviously cannot be a Prosecco,as Prosecco is a white grape variety, so it is actually a blend of Pinot Noir and Merlot.

It has a lovely smoked salmon, onion skin colour and a nice sparkle with a persistent bead(bubble).A fresh clean nose of ripe summer fruits…raspberries and fragrant Irish red apple and a lively crisp refreshing crisp finish.

Great for a party or a summer’s day in the garden Try it with fresh salmon or any sweet shell fish or just some ripe  raspberries or strawberries.

This wine is made by the Bisol family who have lived in this area since 1645 but have only been making wine since 1875! Jeio was the nickname Mamma Bisol gave her husband Desiderio,the equivalent of calling a Patrick…Paddy.

Subsequent Bisol mothers have called their children Desiderio  which funnily enough translates as Desire. Can you imagine an Irish mother calling her son in from the green where he is playing soccer..." Desire luv, come in your teas ready”…. talk about a slagging from the mates!

This wine retails at €18.95

 Salute & Arrivederchi,

Evelyn

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