Perlé Rose TRENTODOC

Paradoxically, Italy’s most famous metodo classico sparkling wine was started with the desire to compete with the best French Champagnes. Giulio Ferrari, a Trentino native, started his venerable sparkling wine house in 1902, after studying winemaking in France. Convinced that his native region’s terroir was ideal for growing Chardonnay, he produced three of his now best-known cuvées – Ferrari Brut, Perlé and Giulio Ferrari – as blanc de blancs. This innovative approach quickly paid off. Ferrari wines consistently receive some of Italy’s top accolades, including being awarded Tre Bicchieri 22 years in a row.

With its mountain viticulture (the Dolomites), Trentino is an area well suited to the production of sparkling wines of great elegance and complexity. Large diurnal temperature range and high altitudes ensures high acidity and freshness in the grapes. With 300 acres of vineyards, Ferrari represents the largest estate in the Trentino region. The harvest for the Chardonnay grapes began at the very end of August. The picking of the Pinot Nero took place a week later in order to benefit from perfect phenolic ripening of the skins, crucial for obtaining in due course a rosé wine that is fine, well-balanced and elegant. From the point of view of quality, the altitude factor was very important, given the generally hot year: the height of the vineyards devoted to the production of the Perlé Rosé allowed the grapes to maintain a good level of acidity, accompanied by great complexity, structure and refined aromas.

Ferrari Perlé Rosé is made using the traditional metodo classico. After a hand-harvest at the end of September, the wine undergoes a gentle pressing. At least five years on the yeasts, selected from our own strains.

The rose hue displays a brilliant sheen, shot through with fine bubbles. The complexity of the nose is immediately evident, allowing hints of blood orange, redcurrants, plums and raspberries to emerge. Gradually, one perceives notes of sugared almonds and aromatic breads, with suggestions of cumin. On the palate it reveals an attractively rich yet elegant structure, and a notably long aftertaste that again conjures up sensations of red berry fruits.