Italo Cescon Chardonnay

Italo Cescon Chardonnay is listed as a sparkling wine from Massachusetts, made from Chardonnay. The listing doesn't give a vintage, dosage level, production method or ABV, so the notes below describe what sparkling Chardonnay usually offers, not measured figures for this bottle. Chardonnay-based sparkling wines tend toward green apple, pear and lemon peel, sometimes with a touch of white peach. They are typically medium-bodied with fresh, lively acidity and no tannin to speak of. Expect a creamy mousse and a clean, citrus-leaning finish. If this bottle spent time on its lees, you may also find brioche or toasted-nut notes. Oak influence is usually minimal or absent in this category. The bright acidity and fine bubbles suit salty, fried and rich foods. Good matches include oysters, fried calamari, tempura vegetables, salted popcorn and buttery shellfish such as lobster or scallops. Soft cheeses like brie, young goat cheese and fresh mozzarella also work, as do roast chicken and creamy pasta. If the bottle turns out to be off-dry, it will handle mildly spicy dishes better than a very dry one. If it is dry, keep to the savory pairings above. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 47°F (4 to 8°C). A couple of hours in the refrigerator or about 30 minutes in an ice bath will get it there. Sparkling wine should not be decanted, because that releases the carbonation and flattens the aromas. Pour straight from the bottle instead, holding the cork as you ease it out so it opens with a soft sigh. A tulip-shaped sparkling glass or a standard white wine glass is the best choice. Both keep the bubbles and concentrate the fruit aromas better than a wide, shallow coupe. Sparkling Chardonnay is generally made to be enjoyed young, while the fruit and acidity are at their freshest. Plan to open it within a year or two of purchase unless the producer says otherwise. Store it on its side in a cool, dark place until you chill it, and drink it within a day of opening only if it has been resealed with a proper sparkling-wine stopper.