Martini Rossi Riserva Spec

Martini & Rossi Riserva Spec is a sparkling wine listed with a Massachusetts, United States appellation. The listing doesn't name the grape, dosage level, vintage or alcohol content. Anything below about its flavor is what sparkling wines of this type usually offer, not a measured profile of this bottle. Expect a lively mousse and crisp acidity, with fruit leaning toward green apple, pear and citrus. Many sparkling wines also add a light bready or toasty note from time on the lees. Sparkling wines have no tannin to speak of, and most are unoaked or only lightly oaked. The finish is normally clean and fairly short, and acidity does most of the work. If the label shows a dosage term such as brut or extra dry, that tells you how dry it will taste. Brut is the driest of the common styles and extra dry is slightly softer. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F, which means roughly three hours in a refrigerator or 30 minutes in an ice bucket with water and ice. Do not decant it, because that would strip out the carbonation. Open it gently by holding the cork and turning the bottle, so the gas escapes with a sigh instead of a pop. A tulip-shaped flute or an all-purpose white wine glass works best. The tulip shape keeps the bubbles going, and the wider glass gives the aromas more room. The acidity and bubbles cut through salty or fried food, so it suits oysters, fried chicken, potato chips, soft rind cheeses and tempura. It also works as an aperitif and as a base for spritzes and mimosas.