Bubbles For A Bauble

We've been on a mission to find wallet-friendly bubbles from unusual places so we can drink them more often (um, sorry, so you can drink them more often). What could be more fun than tasting through hundreds of bottles of bubbles from far-flung places? (answer = absolutely nothing)

Today's offering is a great little value all the way from the Marches (note: this is English spelling; in Italy it's Marche) region of Italy, ready and willing to please everyone at your next spring backyard barbeque (we can dream, can't we?!?). And just wait until you see its humble price.

A little background first. The Marches is in central Italy along the East Coast above Abruzzo. It's most famous wine is easily Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (one of our favorite whites to drink at home, it's more rounded and mellow than its neighbor), but it's also known for Verdicchio di Matelica (the same grape in another neighborhood, often sharper with more acidity, likely to benefit from a few year's aging) as well as Rosso Piceno (a delicious blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, and yes, we do carry it).

Without further delay:

Garofoli Guelfo Verde Bianco Frizzante 2012 (IGT)

Garofoli is one of the oldest wineries in the Marches, dating back to 1871 when Antonio Garofoli began producing wine for the local pilgrims coming to the famous church of Loreto. Today, Garofoli is run by the family's fifth generation and its wines are garnering attention all over the world.

A blend of Verdicchio, Trebbiano, and Chardonnay, this delicate sparkling wine's lively natural perlage, fine froth, vibrant aromatics, and fresh acidity make it irresistible to drink as an aperitif or an accompaniment to a variety of foods. Refermented in sealed tanks, it's slightly sparkling (frizzante) with a crown cap closure.

As for flavor, it offers up notes of spring flowers, apple and lemon peel, balanced by refreshing and bright acidity. If we can't have spring flower outside we might as well have them in the glass!

The effervescence and bright acidity make this wine eminently refreshing. It's satisfying on its own, but it also pairs well with fresh goat cheese, light salads, or seafood. We're thinking about having a glass tonight with an appetizer of clams cooked in white wine, garlic, lemon zest and red pepper flakes garnished with parsley. Can't wait!

Bubbles at this price are pretty difficult to obtain, but this one is just $10.99/bottle every day. Go for a case and you'll shell out $105.50 clams ($8.79/bottle) or just $8.79/bottle in a mixed case of wine. Ohhhh yeah baby.

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Town Center Wine & Spirits Cape Cod's Most Trusted Wine Merchant

Location 4550 State Highway North Eastham, MA 02651 (Next to the Royal Thai Restaurant in the Town Center Plaza) Tel: 508 255 3660 Fax: 508 255 6736

Spring Hours Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.   We're open year round. Closed only on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.