Beyond Prosecco – Nevio Scala's Gargante Frizzante
The popularity of Italian sparkling wines is undeniable—but to be more precise, it's Prosecco and its Frizzante variants that are booming. The demand is so strong that even controversies over regional expansions and pesticide scandals seem to pass unnoticed, fading as quickly as most Proseccos do once the glass is empty. While supermarkets, restaurateurs, and even gas stations focus on profit, often choosing to exclusively stock Prosecco, some winemakers outside the traditional regions remain undeterred. These producers frequently create far superior alternatives for the same price, challenging the dominance of commercial sparkling wine with artisanal excellence.
In the Colli Euganei, about 100 kilometers southwest of the Prosecco region, Nevio Scala raises the bar with his Gargante, a Frizzante crafted from Garganega. The grapes are hand-harvested early, spontaneously fermented, and aged for five months in cement tanks. A sweet wine reserve initiates the secondary fermentation in the bottle, allowing the Gargante to develop its fine perlage and delicate yeast aromas over time.
Style
The Gargante is transparent, agile, and minimalist, offering subtle floral aromas that give way to delicate fruit and yeast notes. Its perlage is refined and understated, with a creamy and elegant body and a dynamic, linear structure. This unpretentious Frizzante boasts depth, nuance, and an irresistible drinkability.
Specifications
- Grapes: Garganega
- Vineyard: At the foothills of the Colli Euganei; volcanic soils
- Harvest: By hand
- Fermentation: Spontaneous with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks
- Aging: 5 months in cement, followed by bottle fermentation
- Filtration: None
- SO₂: < 25 mg/l
- Alcohol: 11.5% vol.
- Closure: Crown cap
- Serving Temperature: 8–10°C
- Optimal Drinking Window: Now – 2028
- Bottle Size: 0.75L
