Beverage Dynamics July-August 2020 | Page 31

1976 . But the misconception has been changing , as producers have been using Lambrusco grapes to make dry , fragrant sparkling rosé wines .

“ Consumers have been receptive to this new generation of dry premium Lambrusco — a departure from the ‘ cheap and cheerful ’ sweet fizzy wines that were often served with ice cubes ” that tended to define the category in the 1980s , she says .

Tastings are fundamental to changing that perception , Prestia adds . “ We spend a lot of time with consumers to let them taste the wines and explore our history ; through this they discover Lambrusco as a multifaceted and affordable new wine category .”

PAIRINGS THAT POP Just as more consumers are discovering sparkling wines for everyday occasions , they ’ re also finding that they pair well with many foods , particularly seafood .

Alexeyev will match the Schramsberg blanc de blancs sparkling wine of 100 % chardonnay with meatier seafood such as monkfish or swordfish . Go beyond the “ white with fish categorization that seems outdated ” and seek out a firm and rich sparkler for heavier dishes , he suggests .

“ Oysters , oysters , oysters and any sparkling wine is incredible ,” says Brandi Carter , beverage director / sommelier at Elvie ’ s restaurant in Jackson , MS . “ But I ' ve been enjoying pairing Szigeti gruner veltliner brut with them recently .” Sparkling rosé with Watermelon Granita “ is amazing ,” she adds .

Marchese Manodori Reggiano Lambrusco Frizzante from Venturini Baldini pairs well with rich tortellini or barbecued pork . Prestia notes that Venturini Baldini has been popular “ in states like Texas and Florida , where our wines are perfect for not just Italian cuisine but also barbeques .”

At Pasta Sisters , an Italian restaurant and fresh pasta shop with locations in the LA area , brand manager Giorgia Sinatra would match the prosecco with the restaurant ’ s Spaghetti Bottarga ( spaghetti with dry Sardinian mullet fish eggs , garlic , extra virgin olive oil ), as well as with appetizer plates such as caprese or cold cuts .

Prosecco also pairs well with roasted salmon , she notes . “ I would avoid [ prosecco with ] creamy pastas and meat dishes .”

As for the moscato , the traditional pairing is apricot pie , Sinatra says , “ but a very interesting combination could be moscato with a plate of prosciutto and cantaloupe .”

LESS IS MORE Innovation in packaging such as boxes and cans has helped boost wine sales . When it comes to sparkling , alternative bottle formats such as magnums and single-serve mini bottles have been popular .

Champagne brands often opt for flashy packaging . Beau Joie Champagne , with a suggested retail price of $ 69 to $ 89 , is packaged in a patented bottle encased in copper . The brand has recently seen increased interest because of the notion that copper can destroy bacteria and viruses .

Armand de Brignac Champagne , owned by rap star Jay-Z , comes in metallic gold bottles that start at nearly $ 200 and is available in several large formats — including a 30-liter " Midas " bottle . BD

LEADING BRANDS OF IMPORTED SPARKLING WINE , 2017-2019P

( p ) Preliminary .

Beau Joie Champagne , packaged in a patented bottle encased in copper , has recently seen increased interest because of the notion that copper can destroy bacteria and viruses .

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