I don’t drink much Italian sparkling wine. This disappoints two of my favorite people in the wine business, who see qualities like lightness and charm where I see fizziness and dullness. So this wine is their holiday gift.
That’s because the Lamberti (sample, $15, available at Jimmy’s and selected Centennials) manages to be very Italian and yet still offer some backbone and sturdiness that too many Italian sparklers don’t have. The Lamberti is simple and light with a hint of apple fruit, but it’s not too sweet and it’s bubblier than many other proseccos. Italian sparkling wine usually doesn’t have wave after wave of small, tight bubbles rising to the top of the glass, which I love and which seems to be the sign of quality bubbly.
Hence my pleasant surprise at how well this wine was made, and especially at this price. Drink the Lamberti to welcome in the New Year, with any sort of holiday brunch, as an aperitif, or with a mid-week dinner (white pizza or spaghetti with clam sauce).
I have more New Year’s wine suggestions at my wine blog — enjoy the holiday.