With all the hot weather we've been experiencing a cold refreshing drink is what we reach for. Sparkling wines can be the "it" wine for August. They are food friendly and go with all the summer foods we enjoy -- chips, salads, seafood, and even dessert.
There are many affordable sparkling wines from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and also from the U.S. Napa Valley in California, just to name a few. This week I'm sharing a few tips for choosing sparkling wines from Italy which are very affordable.
Prosecco sparkling wine is made from the prosecco grape grown in the Veneto region in Italy. It is a crisp sparkling wine with refreshing citrus flavors as well as hints of melon, almonds and honey. Serve light summer dishes with the Prosecco such as shrimp, grilled chicken, salads, and light pasta dishes.
Moscato d'Asti is a dessert wine that is low in alcohol and has a light fizziness to it with flavors of peach and orange zest. Traditionally in Italy it is served with the biscotti, but it will also go well with garden salads and also can be served with fruit based desserts.
A surprise sparkler from Italy is the Brachetto sparkling wine made from the brachetto grape grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Brachetto is a red sparkling wine that is light and sweet and also low in alcohol with hints of strawberry and cherry flavors. It is best when served with fruit and cheese platters or light desserts. However, it is surprisingly good with pizza.
These wines can be found in most wine shops and range in prices from $10 to $15 - maybe even less in some areas. Pick up one of these "it" wines and enjoy the lazy days of summer for the next 3 weeks.
Salute!
Winelady Cooks
Moscato! Yum! This has to be my favorite for sure!
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