Mi Amore Sparkling Red

Mi Amore Sparkling Red is a sparkling red wine from Esplanda, made in Massachusetts. The producer hasn't published the grape blend, dosage or vintage, so the notes below describe what the style usually delivers and are not measured specs for this bottle. Sparkling reds are an unusual corner of the wine world. Expect a deep ruby to purple colour, a lively mousse, and ripe dark-fruit aromas such as blackberry, black cherry and plum. Many in this style are made with a touch of residual sugar, which gives a fruit-forward, rounded feel. Tannins are usually soft and light, and the acidity and bubbles keep the wine fresh rather than heavy. Oak is rarely part of the picture in sparkling reds, so don't look for vanilla or toast. The finish is typically short to medium and fruity, with a slight grip from the skins. If the bottle leans off-dry, it will taste softer and jammier. If it's drier, it will show more tart cherry and a firmer, more savoury edge. Check the label for any sweetness indication. At the table, this style suits foods that a still red might overpower or a white sparkler might fail to stand up to. Charcuterie, salami, prosciutto and aged hard cheeses all work well, as do pizza with tomato and sausage, grilled sausages, burgers and barbecue. The bubbles and fruit cut through fat and salt. Off-dry examples can also handle mildly spicy dishes and a cheese board with cured meats. They can sit alongside dark chocolate or berry desserts, provided the wine is at least as sweet as the dish. Serve it chilled, at roughly 45 to 55°F (7 to 13°C). That's about two to three hours in the refrigerator, or 30 minutes in an ice bucket. Colder temperatures keep the bubbles crisp and the sweetness in check, while a fully cold wine can mute the fruit. Don't decant it, because pouring from a decanter would strip out the carbonation. Open it gently, holding the cork while you twist the bottle, and pour straight into the glass. A standard white wine glass or a tulip-shaped sparkling glass concentrates the aromas and keeps the mousse lively. A narrow flute works too, but it limits how much of the fruit you'll smell. This is a drink-now bottle. Sparkling reds of this style are made for freshness and primary fruit and don't improve with cellaring. Keep it somewhere cool and dark, and plan to open it within a year or so of purchase, unless the label states otherwise.