2022 Andreola, Dirupo, Brut, Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Sparkling Wine, Italy.
I can’t believe I’ve not mentioned Andreola Prosecco in my reviews, as it is the one I drink the most and especially their crystalline, ultra pale and crisp Dirupo Brut, my favorite of the offerings. I got a chance to revisit the Andreola collection at this year’s Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri tasting in San Francisco, all of which are award winning wines and again I found the Dirupo Brut to impress with its fine creamy, but vibrant mousse, purity of flavors, lemony citrus, peach, green apple and melon fruits, subtle luxurious yeasty notes, white blossoms, delicate savory elements, vivid acidity and fresh mineral tones. This is a wonderful expression of terroir and tradition in the bottle and its dry precision is perfect for any occasion, sublime with starter courses and easy to love as a sipper too. I highly recommend these Andreola Valdobbiadene Prosecco offerings, they are heightened efforts the rise above the sea of generic versions.
The Andreola says that their Dirupo Brut is a Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco that best expresses the hilly terroir from which it originates, made from indigenous varietals, with the blend including 90% Glera, also known as Prosecco, 5% Bianchetta and 5% Perera grown in the steep slopes up between 200 and 500 meters. This dry example is soft pressed and sees a cool temperature controlled fermentation, to preserve fresh details and the pretty aromatics. The Dirupo is aged on the yeast 6 months in stainless steel tanks and gets its soft persistent mousse through the traditional Charmat method in large vat over 30 to 40 days, adding the bubbly energy to the wine, unlike the ancient forms of bottle fermentation, as seen in Champagne or Cava. Winemaker and owner Stefano Pola continues to set high standards here at Andreola and he transmits the layers of minerals, calcareous marl, sandstone and conglomerate rock soils and terroir in this beautifully crafted Prossecos. These Andreoa will be great to celebrate Prosecco Week in May!
($24 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive