Tasting-Puianello Primabolla

Name: Cantina Puianello Primabolla
Variety: Lambrusco
Region: Emilia
Country: Italy
Year: 2020
Price: $12

Winery Review

A soft, lush, super fruit-forward version of sparkling Italian red, it's like a true effervescent dark grape juice. Low acid, semi-full feel, low alcohol. entirely crushable. It'll be your go-to instantly.

Wine Folly

Wine Folly describes Lambrusco as having primary flavor of strawberry, and blackberry, along with rhubarb and hibiscus. I definitely detected some of the red and black berry flavors, but not any of the rhubarb or floral notes. 

My Review

This was a sparking red wine, which I was particular excited to try, as they aren't very common and I always like myself a bubbly beverage. The wine was a dark ruby, with the bubbles being difficult to see given its opacity. On the nose I got strong aromas of plum and red fruit, along with the sharpness of the bubbles. On the palate, I found the wine to be medium bodied, with the bubbles being subdued and with a good balance of acid and tannins. I got strong flavors of raspberry and blackberry. Overall I enjoyed this wine. Of the few sparking red wines I have tried, this is so far my favorite. 

I drank this wine by itself, without any other food. 

Tasting-Saint Hilaire Semi-Sweet

Name: Saint-Hilaire Semi-Sweet Sparkling
Variety: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc
Region: Limoux
Country: France
Year: 2019
Price: $18

Winery Review

Medium bodied, bright and fresh with aromas of ripe fruit, herbs and intense, exotic fruit flavors with distinct minerality and refreshing acidity. Serve with seafood, chicken and fresh goat cheese.

Wine Folly

Wine Folly describes Chardonnay as having tastes of yellow apple, starfruit, pineapple, and vanilla. Chenin Blanc is described as having similar flavors, along with pear, quince, and chamomile. I detected strong notes of apple and pear, as described, but not any of the secondary spice flavors. 

My Review

The wine was a medium straw color, with medium sized bubbles. On the nose I got hints of light fruit, especially apple and white grapes. It had very strong bubbles on my initial sip, which overpowered a lot of the flavors. Follow-up tastings revealed flavors of apple and pear, with a little bit of citrusy tartness. I found this wine to be very enjoyable, and I think it would be very refreshing on a hot day. 

I had this wine by itself, without any other food.