Picchioni Da Cima a Fondo Frizzante 2023

Picchioni works in Canneto Pavese in the eastern hills of Oltrepò Pavese in Lombardy, a town with a deep winemaking tradition once known for strong, full-bodied reds. Da Cima a Fondo is a lightly sparkling frizzante red built mainly on Croatina, a regional native that gives dark fruit and gentle tannin. The vineyards are farmed naturally, with organic and vegan practice. The wine is made by the ancestral method, bottled before the first fermentation finishes so the remaining sugar ferments in bottle and traps carbon dioxide, producing a soft natural fizz with the lees left in the wine. This gives a cloudy, unfiltered red with a savoury depth and a fresh, slightly frothy texture. Expect a deep ruby colour, a gentle mousse and a nose of red berries, cherry and plum over fresh bread dough, black pepper and an earthy note. The palate is dry to off-dry, light to medium bodied and juicy, with low tannin, brisk acidity and a savoury finish. Serve chilled at around 12 to 14 degrees, opening carefully given the natural sediment. It suits charcuterie, grilled pork and lighter cheeses.