Choosing a sparkling wine at the supermarket or online is not always easy. Labels are multiplying, prices vary greatly and names do not always help to orient oneself. This is why the comparative test conducted by Altroconsumo out of 16 classic method sparkling wines offers a useful point of reference.
Each bottle was evaluated by 24 expert tasters on parameters such as perfume, fruity and spicy notes, body and aromatic persistence, and analyzed in the laboratory for sulphite content. However, it should be noted that the test does not include analyzes of pesticide residues, an aspect that those who are sensitive to this issue will have to evaluate separately, perhaps orienting themselves towards organic certifications or other analyses.
How did the tested bottles fare? The final result rewarded two products, one Sicilian and one Tuscan, with different characteristics but both of excellent quality.
The best in the test
The best of the test is a vintage sparkling wine produced in Sicily from Carricante grapes, an indigenous vine from the eastern part of the island, grown on the slopes of Etna at around 700 meters above sea level and harvested by hand. This is the Nicosia Carricante Sicilia Doc Sosta Tre Santi Metodo Classico Brut 2020. The alcohol content is 11.5% vol. and the sulphite content is very low, equal to about a fifth of the maximum limit allowed for sparkling wines.
Tasters appreciated it for its intense and complex aroma, with notes of rose, honey, lemon peel, exotic fruit and vanilla, as well as for its good structure and persistence. It bears the Sicilia Doc denomination, which guarantees the regional origin of the grapes and processing within the boundaries of the specifications. The aging on the yeasts in the bottle lasts at least 24 months.
The best buy
On equal merit we find a sparkling wine that comes from Tuscany and stands out above all for its excellent quality-price ratio, which is why Altroconsumo also awarded him the title of best purchase. This is the Tenute del Cerro Cerrus Metodo Classico Brut which has an alcohol content of 12% vol., a low sulphite content and a balanced aromatic profile, with notes of vanilla, green apple, white flowers, bread crust and caramel.
Unlike Nicosia, it does not carry any protected designation of origin or geographical indication on the label. The manufacturer specifies only the use of white grapes, without indicating the grape variety. Also in this case the refinement on the yeasts lasts at least 24 months.
The test results demonstrate that the absence of certification does not necessarily indicate lower quality.
The complete ranking
Curious to know which other sparkling wines were analyzed and how they fared? Below is the complete ranking Altroconsumo:
