CONTE VISTARINO | Costiolo | Sangue di Giuda dell’Oltrepò Pavese | 2019
croatina | barbera | uva rara

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Tonight we are going to review a quite intriguing sparkling wine from the world famous Lombardy region in northern Italy – Costiolo | Sangue di Giuda dell’Oltrepò Pavese 2019 by Conte Vistarino. This is a vino frizzante wine, produced using the non-traditional tank method (also known as Méthode Charmat) – the same method that is used in the production of the famous Prosecco wines. The difference between vino frizzante and vino spumante is in the level of effervescence. Wines labelled as ‘frizzante’ are only gently sparkling, while wines labelled as ‘spumante’ have more fizz to it. Another difference is that frizzante has only about 1 or 2 atmospheres of pressure in a bottle. For comparison, Prosecco usually has about 3 to 5 atmospheres, while Champagne has about 7 atmospheres. This particular wine is a blend of 3 indigenous italian grape varieties: croatina, barbera and uva rara, where croatina (also known as ‘bonarda’) forms the wine’s main body and delivers that irresistible juicy accent on themouthfeel, barbera brings more structure and complexity to the palate, while uva rara softens and rounds up the final blend. The grapes for this wine are sourced from the vineyards in the Oltrepò Pavese DOC, which are synonymous with pinot noir, both still and sparkling, now being the third largest area planted with pinot noir in the world, after Burgundy and Champagne. The name of this wine translates as ‘Juda’s blood from Oltrepò Pavese‘, which is a tribute to the legged, according to which, Judas, repentant of having betrayed Jesus, was forgiven and resurrected in the Oltrepò, where he performed the miracle of healing the local vines that were affected by an unknown illness. That said and without further ado, let’s move on straight to the tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: medium to pale ruby color
clarity: bright garnet hues at the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: powerful & juicy
fruit character: ripe & overripe

On the first nose, this sparkling wine unveils a captivating and juicy fruit character, mixing ripe and overripe red fruits and berry fruits. The foreground reveals a delightful medley of sweet cherry, cranberry, strawberry, redcurrant, raspberry, wildberry, blueberry and goji berry. These lively fruit aromas dance harmoniously and entwine in the background with notes of cranberry jam, candied sour cherry and strawberry jam, creating an inviting and vibrant experience. This delicious sparkling wine showcases the true nature of a mesmerizing vino frizzante – an experience only italian sparkling wines can deliver.

//Palate
sweetness: sweet | acidity: medium+ | alcohol: medium- | tannin: medium- | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: velvety-sweet

On the palate, this sparkling wine delivers a delightful sensory journey. It showcases a vibrant fruit character, combining ripe and overripe red fruits and berry fruits with juicy-sweet notes that add a touch of indulgence. The mouth-watering acidity delivers freshness on the palate, while the fine and smooth tannins and well-integrated alcoholic warmth provide a velvety-sweet aftertaste that leaves no prisoners. The wine’s lean structure enhances its overall appeal, making it a delicious, juicy and extremely appealing experience that leaves a lasting impression.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within a year
verdict: great | a must try wine

All in all, this is a lean, crisp and supple sparkling wine that offers a very rich and juicy experience. Its deliciously-sweet nature is balanced with precision, making it a real crowd-pleaser. The wine’s expressive, fruity character captivates the palate, while its clean and neat profile ensures a quite refreshing tasting experience. With its combination of vibrant flavors and refreshing acidity, this sparkling wine embodies the essence of a well-crafted and enjoyable frizzante wine. It is a true gem and a perfect fit for everyone seeking for a simple yet delightful wine tasting experience, without too much complexity – carpe diem.

//Scoring
CONTE VISTARINO | Costiolo | Sangue di Giuda dell’Oltrepò Pavese | 2019
variety: croatina | barbera | uva rara
country: Italy
region: Lombardia | Oltrepò Pavese
rating: 93.7
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This is definitely a great wine of Italy and with a total of 93.7 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Based on this sparkling wine’s lean and crisp nature and its vibrant and invigorating fruit character, we recommend pairing it with a watermelon and feta salad, drizzled with a citrus-infused vinaigrette. The wine’s crispness and its lively acidity will harmonize beautifully with the juicy sweetness of the watermelon, while the fruity notes in the wine will complement the creamy saltiness of the feta cheese. In the same key, the wine’s zesty nature will enhance the bright flavors of the citrus vinaigrette, adding an extra layer of freshness to the salad. This pairing offers a delightful combination that elevates the dining experience and perfectly complements the wine’s juicy and refreshing character. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.