Lo-Secce Prosecco

Lo-Secce Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Esplanda, made in Massachusetts and sold under the Prosecco style name. The details we have don't give the grape, dosage level or ABV, so what follows describes the style in general. Wines in this style are usually built from the Glera grape and made by the tank (Charmat) method. That method keeps the fruit fresh and the bubbles soft, with no toasty, yeasty aging notes. Expect green apple, pear and white peach on the nose, with citrus and a light floral lift. The body is light, the acidity is bright, there is no oak and no tannin, and the finish is short and clean. If the bottle is in the common brut or extra dry range, any sweetness shows as ripe fruit rather than sugar. The label's dosage statement will confirm this. Serve it well chilled, around 38 to 45°F (3 to 7°C). A couple of hours in the refrigerator, or about 30 minutes in an ice bucket, gets it there. Colder mutes the fruit, and warmer makes the mousse look coarse and the wine taste flabby. Don't decant it, because that would only flatten the bubbles. Open it gently by easing the cork out while twisting the bottle, so the wine keeps its carbonation and none is lost to foam. For glassware, use a tulip-shaped white wine glass or a standard flute. The tulip gives the aromatics more room, and the flute holds the bubbles longer. A wide coupe lets both fade quickly. The acidity and light body suit salty and fried foods. Try it with prosciutto and melon, fried calamari, tempura vegetables, fresh mozzarella, light seafood pasta, or a soft cheese plate. It also works with spicy takeout, where a little sweetness and cold bubbles help cool the heat. It is a good base for spritzes and a bellini, since its modest weight lets juice or bitter liqueurs come through. This is a drink-now bottle. Wines in this style are made for freshness and rarely improve with cellaring, so plan to open it within a year or so of purchase. Store it cool and upright out of direct light until then. Once opened, a sparkling wine stopper will keep it lively for a day.