The Bervini 1955 Spumante Rose’ Extra Dry is a blend of Glera (the grape used in making Prosecco) and Roboso (a local Red grape, this is where the Rose’ color comes from) sourced from vineyards of the family owned estate in the Friuli Venezia Giulia in the northern most eastern part of Italy. The Prosecco DOC is inside Friuli Venezia Giulia and Bervini 1955s property is half in and half out of Prosecco. Bervini 1955 , the year the estate was founded, is now operated by the 2nd and 3rd generations of the Bergamo family. Now here is a question ,”what is Spumante and how is it different from Prosecco“? This part is fairly simple, Spumante is the Italian word for Sparkling wine or Bubbly and Prosecco is a region or DOC so well-known for making Spumante/Sparkling wine/Bubbly that the region name is also the wine name. Spumante is a thing and Prosecco is a place, a place that makes Spumante. If Prosecco is made from the Glera grape and Glera was used in the Bervini 1955 Spumante, why isn’t this a Prosecco? Because only Spumante/Sparkling wine/Bubbly made from the Glera grape and grown and produced inside the borders of Prosecco can be called Prosecco. Why is it that with still wine the term “dry” means not sweet and with Spumante/Sparkling wine/Bubbly “extra dry” means a little on the sweet side? I don’t know, it’s confusing, but here is the thing to remember, Spumante/Sparkling wine/Bubbly usually have pretty solid acidity and acidity balances sweetness in wine. So an extra dry Spumante/Sparkling wine/Bubbly with solid acidity won’t seem sweet, you will taste ripe rounded fruit and citrus flavors, but it won’t be cloying or candy sweet. The Bervini 1955 Spumante Rose’ Extra Dry is produced with the same method used in Prosecco, the 2nd fermentation occurs in huge pressurized stainless steel tanks or auto-claves. Here the 2nd fermentation lasts for 40 days and the alcohol content is a mild 11%.
The color is a pale pink with a pronounced apricot tint along with tons of tiny energetic bubbles. The nose is crisp and clean, delicate lemon and lime, with green apple, pear, a soft touch of spice, and a little strawberry. This is a well focused Bubbly, crisp acidity and soft fruit. It tastes of tart cherry, tangy lemon, and crisp apple. The mid-palate shows a hint of yeasty bread, grapefruit, and just a bit of cream. The acidity is well-done, it does a terrific job of balancing the natural sugar in the wine. For pairing I think maybe a lobster roll or Thai spicy shrimp would work well. The finish is firm and lengthy.
The Bervini 1955 Spumante Rose’ Extra Dry is a classy, delicious, expertly produced Bubbly. The public relations companies behind the Sparkling wines/Bubbly of Prosecco and Champagne would have you believe that those are the only 2 Sparkling wine/Bubbly producing locations that matter. They do make exceptionally fine wines, some of my favorites in the whole world. But, that is not where you find the hidden gems, there is no secret to making Bubbly and Prosecco and Champagne do not have magic grapes. If a winery is committed to taking the time and effort to make great Bubbly, it can be produced anywhere in the wine-making world, even in vineyards right next door to Prosecco.
