Pale gold color; elderflower, apple, pear on the nose; apple, pear, white peach, citrus, Meyer lemon, honey hint on the palate.
Extra dry—which means there is hint of sweetness. Citrus acidity gives it a mild hint of tartness. Smooth and fresh in the mouth. Made with glera grape (as it must to be labeled prosecco), but Martini & Rossi often includes verdiso, bianchetta, chardonnay, and pinot noir for some complexity. The website, however, does not describe the blend of this iteration. Very, very fine bubbles; 11.5% ABV.
This is simple wine, tasty, crowd-pleaser wine. Price is a major selling point. Easy drinking, girls-night-out wine. At its price point and hint of sweetness, also works at an event where there is a crowd that includes folks not that into sparkling wine, but will sip as part of the social lubricant.
I have reviewed this wine in the past. As you would expect with a NV sparkling, the wine is very consistent. The slight differences in my notes likely reflects my tastes at the moment rather than significant differences in the wine.
The Martini logo, the single word printed over a large red dot, is associated with vermouth and cocktails (especially martinis), while their sparkling wines are branded Martini & Rossi. Their prosecco is made in the Veneto region (northeastern Italy)—as Italian rules require. They also make Martini & Rossi asti in the Piedmont region (northwestern Italy), and Martini & Rossi red wines and gin. The company also owns Noilly Prat, a French vermouth company.
The company started in the mid-1800s and was run by three men: businessman Alessandro Martini, winemaker Luigi Rossi, and accountant Teofilo Sola. In 1863 they took the name Martini, Sola & Cia. When they sold the company in 1879, the name changed to Martini & Rossi. The Martini “ball and bar” logo was registered in 1929, and one year later Luigi Rossi’s sons took control of the enterprise. The company was restructured as the General Beverage Corporation in 1977 and merged with Bacardi in 1993. Bacardi brands also include Bacardi, Bombay Gin, Dewar’s Whisky, Grey Goose Vodka, and Patrón Tequila.
Martini & Rossi Prosecco DOC NV is fun, simple, very easy drinker that falls on the sweeter end of extra dry, which will please folks who shun dry wines. This can be enjoyed by itself, but does better as a mixer. Think bellini (two parts peach purée and remainder prosecco). Mimosa (sparkling and orange juice). Want something stronger—sip the prosecco and chase it with a chilled tequila shot.
Serve as an aperitif before getting serious with Martini cocktails made with Martini vermouth. Pair with fruit, prosciutto-wrapped melon, Asian dishes and other spicy fare; lightly sauced chicken, pork, fish; sharp or salty cheese (parmigiano–reggiano, manchego, asiago, stilton). Best served very cold—45 degrees; can be served on ice. $10-14
