Germano Ettore Rosanna Brut Rosè

Processo is the sparkling wine everyone associates with Italy but it is far from the only kind of bubbles being produced in the country. From pet-nats from Trentino to frizzante (slightly sparkling) reds from Emilia-Romagna, you can find any number of experimental and delicious wines with myriad levels and kinds of effervescence. Today, though, we’re featuring a more traditional kind of sparkling wine, a Metodo Classico Brut Rosé from Ettore Germano of Piemonte. Metodo Classico is the Italian term used to designate a wine vinified using the traditional method, the same process used in Champagne. Germano is something of an anomaly, one of the only producers we know of making both Barolo and sparkling wine, and making them both seriously. 

Unlike what you’ll find in Champagne, Germano makes his rosé sparkler from Nebbiolo, which gives the wine a fascinating Italian character. You’ll smell some of the same rose petal aromatics present in the region’s famous Nebbiolo reds, but with a softer fruit character. (Think strawberry and raspberry rather than the tart cherry of Barolo and Barbaresco.) The traditional method also allows for extended lees aging, giving a wonderful brioche-like yeastiness to the wine. It may be a cliche to say sparkling rosé is an ideal brunch wine, but there’s no denying that this wine would be ideal with a frittata or some breakfast pastries. It will also work wonderfully as an aperitif.