Rosecco

PRODUCTION NOTES: The wind-swept slopes of the Matheson and Fox View vineyards lend themselves well to Bubbly production. The grapes maintain acidity and are able to hang as long as needed due to the excellent airflow. The fruit is picked based on the desired chemistry to produce a base wine that is bright with subtle varietal character. The fruit is whole cluster pressed and fermented as a base white wine. A small amount of a deep red wine is added post-ferment to create a stable, cohesive wine with a light pink hue. The wine then is re-fermented in a pressure tank to create the bubbles. The style referred to as Charmat is the same as a Methode Champenoise re-fermentation except the wine re-ferments in what is essentially one big bottle as opposed to many bottles. Charmat wines are processed more quickly to maintain fruit presence.

WINEMAKER TASTING NOTES: The pink profile of this delightfully cheerful sparkling wine does as intended—it seeds the brain with the idea of strawberries and cream that can’t help but be detected, even though there’s no logical reason to be sensing such a com-bination. Rosecco is a good example of the difference between a wine that is fruity and one that is sweet. Notes of toasty yeast take a back seat to the citrusy palate.

PRODUCTION: Whole cluster pressed fruit with blended in for color post-fermentation. Charmat Method referment (aka Cuve Close).