Bottega, Prosecco Spumante, "Il Vino Dei Poeti"

Named after the poets from the Veneto (there have been quite a few, starting with Dante...), this is a gorgeous fully sparkling wine that shows a good deal of complexity and finesse.

Dry, crisp and refreshing, it has flavours of white blossom, pear and fresh green apple with hints of marzipan on the palate. Excellent on its own or with light starters.

Bottega are a very large and very successful producer based in the Veneto. Interestingly enough, however, they have only been in existence as a company since the 20th Century and then, set up as a distillery.

Nouveau Riche? Not quite, they were growing very fine grapes since the mid-17th century and as a result were able to raise funding for the winery relatively easily and essentially divert the high quality grapes to their own project.

With a flagship product in the shape of the hand-painted gold bottle, Bottega Gold Prosecco (the very first of its kind), and its spin-offs, the future looks to be extremely bright for this house of bubbles.

Bronze medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 2017