I am fully aware this question is not suitable for AC Aeroplan here, but since I am 90% flying AC and only want to learn from fellow AC flyers, just post it here (I will not get mad if someone removes this question to another area, and I may never find it).

Can any wine expert teach me any knowledge of the best Italian red sparkling wines? I am familiar with most champagne/white and rose sparklings, but know nothing about the most recognizable red sparkling, such as asti spumante or any shiraz or cabernet sparkling.

Years ago had a chance to taste some in Tokyo in a private dinner, and I was really impressed by that one time experience, but could not recover the label of the red champagne of that particular bottle which was from Italy (I jotted it down but the paper went to laundary).

I am sure there are some food/wine experts here, and much appreciate any tips.

thank you

First of all I am not an expert, however I do have an appreciation of wine and food and I am a wine collector.

Not many out there, if your looking for purely Italian, you can pickup a Rose Prossecco, if your looking for a red I can only think of two at the moment and that is a Medici Ermete Lambrusco Reggiano, and a Pinetto but this is a sweet wine and could be paired easily with a Foie Gras with a Cranberry reduction.

If you are looking for a heavy red sparkling, try the Aussies, they have a few to chose from, I would suggest the Barossa Valley Sparkling Shiraz, It is quite good after you get over the shock of a Sparkling Shiraz on the pallate. It has a nice acidity and not too heavy on the tannins. Would pair nicely with roasted lamb and some beef dishes (dependant upon sauces of course) I will try and come up with some more but that is all I can think of at the moment, not a very popular wine.

Take a look at Brachetto - a red sparking especially Brachetto d'Acqui

http://www.wineloverspage.com/italwi...rachetto.phtml

Dal Bello from the Veneto region has a Marzemino Spumante which is considered to be quite acceptable. Personally, I am not a big fan of the sparkling reds, but I have tasted this and it was better than others I had tried.
http://www.dalbellovini.it/

The only red sparkling wine I ever had was Baby Duck Ewwww

As the OP noted, this thread must find a new home.

The original link will remain as usual, which should help you find it, lespoir.

A connoisseur Aaaah, Canard Jeune, Beautiful soapy overtones finishing with a short but delicate garbage truck sensation.

1st lesson


Sacre Bleu

Tsk Tsk Tsk

As aftof245 has said, the Aussies make several Sparkling Shiraz which will knock your socks off

Banrock Station makes one for about $20, or if you really want to
splurge, look for the E&E Sparkling Shiraz from Barossa Estate winery at $65.

Cheers!

When did Italians manage to invade the Champagne province in France? Was this in retaliation for AF's recent taking over of AZ?

thank you for all giving the tips. I will study them.

Those folks should not be too fussy. I know the champagne taboo, the fussy french about anyone using the word champagne. it is loosely used for all sparkling wines. I do not bother to use a spanish word that is specifically designated for sparkling wine, or I do not use spumante for italian sparkling.

Not big deal to me, even though I do not only those produced in Champagne area are called champagnes, but who cares...it is silly and funny to me that people are so fussy about these names. knowing the buzz and the history is good enough.

What amazes me, and I am shocked that Italians have not stopped Americans and the entire world using the word pizza, because perhaps only the food only a certain region in Italy should be called Pizzas. What the famous American franchaise should rename the food "one-side baked bread with toppings"...

Thanks for the tip. will try this Borossa shiraz.

I heard alot about Aussi shiraz sparkling.... <-- avoid of the word champagne in order not to offend those language police and nazi :-)

Lespoir, you need to get The Lev and Stranger involved in this thread, if memory serves me right, the had quite a debate a year or so ago about various wines. They sounded knowledeable.

For those seeking something a bit less refined than Baby Duck, may I suggest Moody Blue. Nothing quite compares to a 1.5l bottle of blueberry flavoured crackling wine with a denim patch pocket on the label. The only redeeming feature of this wine is that it only has 7.5% alcohol.

I just checked the Vintages.com website for Red Sparkling Wines in Ontario and at present there are no Italian sparkling wines available. There is a sparkling Shiraz from Australia and a sparkling Malbec from Argentina.

thanks to FMH1964 for recommeding Malbec and Aussie Shiraz. I have started a search now.

Also thanks to Taupo. I will msg to The Levand Stranger for advice.