[IMAGE by Wiesław Jarek : VERONA, ITALY – MAY 1, 2016: Part of the wall covered with love messages in Juliet’s house, Verona, Italy]

SAMPLE: The following is a springtime-worthy (heck – all year-worthy) wine, delivered from Famiglia Pasqua and the vineyards of the Veneto region, in northeast Italy.

PREFACE:

  1. HEART ~ THE WINERY: info is coming from the company’s own statements.
    1. I can’t make up their history
    2. Nor am I gong to trying
  2. SCIENCE ~ WINEMAKING, THE WINERY
  3. SOUL ~ SAMPLE ~ Jo Diaz Musings

I’m happy to have sparkling wine of any kind, from any region, because I crave it with any food… including my Kriptonite potato chips.

When you hear a cork pop, isn’t there a bit of a thrill for you, too?

I love pouring it down the side of a flute… ever… so… slowly. I don’t want to lose one tiny bubble to pouring it in haste. I want every bubble I can get. Bring them on.

[PHOTO Mykola Kokaryev: Juliet balcony in courtyard of the museum. Verona, Italy]

Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento Bianco 2017

HEART ~ FROM THE WINERY

Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine is an historic winery that produces high quality Veneto and Italian wines and one of the main players in the Italian and international wine market. A family passion. A century long history. The history of Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine begins in 1925, when the first generation of the Pasqua brothers came to Verona and established a new business devoted to the trade of wines from their homeland, Apulia. From wine trade and retail, they decided to become a real winery. In a few years, with the acquisition of new vineyards in the Verona area, the company progressively gained importance and visibility.

During the 60’s, the second generation of the family entered the business, bringing about an opening to export and an orientation toward quality. The constitution of Cecilia Beretta in the 80s, the agricultural estate and innovative research centre for vines, grafting techniques and vineyards, is the symbol of the family’s constant quest for excellence.

When the third generation, composed by Riccardo, Alessandro, Cecilia and Giovanni, started to lead the company, the international market orientation boosted to a peak in 2009, with the foundation of Pasqua Usa LLC in New York. The company now sells wines in 50 countries worldwide.

SCIENCE ~ WINEMAKING

This sparkling wine was made using the Charmat method, and produced by using the wine grape Glera; a variety native to the Treviso area. In this land there are the best soils and weather conditions, ensuring a wine with unique characteristics. It is a vivacious and fresh wine that’s versatile and quaffable, and suitable for any occasion.

From Wine Folly:

“The [Charmat] tank method came about during the industrial advancements made in the early 20th century and is the main process used for Prosecco and Lambrusco wines. The major difference between the tank method and the traditional method is the removal of the individual bottle as the vessel used to turn a still wine into a sparkling one. Instead, base wines are added together with the sugar and yeast mixture (Tirage) into a large tank. As the wine has a second fermentation, the CO2 released from the fermentation causes the tank to pressurize, whereafter wines are then filtered, dosed (with Expedition liqueur) and bottled without aging.”

SOUL ~ MUSING

The preparations, mentioned above, are not lost on this Prosecco. Glera is a decidedly productive grape variety, which ripens late in the season. It’s know for its generous acidity, and a pretty neutral flavors on our palates, making it really ideal for Prosecco’s production. Glera’s aromatic profile is also characterized by the mild, white peach. I enjoyed a bit of the usual lemon curd flavor of sparkling wines, and then it finished with its refreshingly vibrant bubbles.

This wine deserves a bit of dialogue, taken from Act II, Scene 2, Capulet’s orchard. It’s just so perfect, as I envision a white peach orchard:

Romeo:

I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore wash’d with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.

Yes, this one is worth looking for, for any romantic adventure, which you can have any day of the week… just by popping the cork, and writing your own happy ending ~ like I just have. This sparkling Prosecco is the happy ending version of Romeo and Juliet, that Shakespeare didn’t have the opportunity to write.