Two Ferrari sparkling wines were served as sparkling aperitifs with canapés such as Prosciutto and melon, smoked salmon, and miniature Parmigiano nests filled with fonduta. We sipped our sparkling aperitif choice of Ferrari Brut, made of 100% chardonnay grapes, or Ferrari rosé, (60% pinot noir, 40% chardonnay).
The Brut was straw yellow in color with an aroma of golden apples and palate of ripe fruit and bread crust. The rosé, salmon pink in color, had an aroma of strawberries, hawthorn, and red currants which was subtly matched on the palate.
During lunch — the usual Italian feast of a salad (Rollatine of Pimontese Robiola in Grilled zucchini), two pastas (Gnocchetti ai formaggi Piemontesi followed by Risotto al rosé Ferrari) and a choice of entrees (I enjoyed Pacific Swordfish over a ragu of Lentils and warm balsamic vinaigrette) — we heard interesting and colorful tidbits of Marcello’s life. Luncheon wines included Ferrari Trento DOC Perlé and the privileged opportunity to experience a vertical tasting of the winery’s flagship wine, Riserva del Fondatore.
About Riserva del Fondatore
Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore (“Founder’s Reserve”) is a “cru,” a Blanc de Blancs made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. Just as founder Giulio Ferrari discovered when he planted chardonnay on the Maso Pianizza vineyard with its unique terroir, the resulting wine is an expression of a specific time (vintage) and place (the vineyard).
There is a story to this Founder’s Reserve, as well. Marcello’s uncle Mauro, who studied wine in France, was convinced that a great Metodo Classico wine can age just as well as a red wine. In 1972 he hid several bottles of a Ferrari wine from his father and brother and nurtured them on a daily basis.
Eight years later, he revealed the aged sparkling wine, had his uncle and brother taste it, and received an enthusiastic response. To date, Riserva del Fondatore has received many accolades from a myriad of prestigious publications and foundations, and top scores from publications such as Wine Spectator.
Tasting notes on Riserva del Fondatore
1999 Vintage - Lemon gold in color, fine bubbles (always a good sign of a superior sparkling wine), and faint brioche on the nose. The palate is dry, with hints of acacia and Hawthorne.
According to the winery, 1999 had more rainfall than average for the zone in the last ten years. The summer was marked by heavy rains, yet when harvest began there was warm sunshine with dry and windy weather and marked differences between day and night temperatures (perfect for retaining acidity in the wine).
1994 Vintage - Lemon gold in color, rich and complex, yeasty with aroma of buttery brioche on the nose and palate, lively with bubbles.
Article comments
1 - Mika Laurino
Love your writing! Just found your blog and really enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to more of your reviews, thoughts and wisdom of good taste :-)