In New Releases, News, Wines13 June, 2024

Introducing Sartori Prosecco Minis!

An Old Fave in a New Format!

Sartori di Verona’s Erfo Prosecco Brut

Sartori’s Erfo Prosecco Brut is one of the most popular wines in our portfolio for good reason. It is fantastic quality for a fantastic price.

Both critics and the public agree – it’s seriously quaffable without being boring. Yvonne Lorkin awarded it four stars, “In the late 1800’s Sartori’s trattoria was the place to frequent if you were a merchant, trader or weary traveller hunting for hearty food, good wine and a comfy place to camp. As the family concentrated more on wine, hospitality remained their focus, which is why their proseccos are especially friendly. Wild apple and acacia aromas with lemony, creamy characters, a biscuity backbone and cloud-like complexity – it’s outstanding…”

With a score of 3.8 stars on the popular public review website, Vivino, it is placed among the top 7% of all wines in the world… 

“A very smooth Prosecco which is just a perfect [companion] to your summer evenings. Tiny and persistive bubbles make it easy-drinking Prosecco.”

“Nice fruity taste of pear and green leaves. Very enjoyable with notes that are commonly present in very dry or in very sweet wines, but this fits nicely in between.”

“Probably the best Prosecco I’ve had this year (and not many days left!). Brut balanced bubbles with typical pale yellow straw color, nose of banana, notes of brioche, and yellow fruit on palate.”

7 Reasons Why We Love Piccolos

“I’d never have wine left in the bottle!” is the common retort given when we talk about Piccolos being super handy. While we agree, leftovers are a pretty easy fix (bottom’s up!) there’s so much more to it. Less can be more! Like bottles, wine lovers come in many shapes and forms, and when catering to where they’re drinking (home vs. hospo), how they’re drinking (cocktails, flights etc.), and what they’re drinking (variety is the spice of life!), it leaves us with a number of reasons why Piccolos are our pick;

1. Zero Wastage:

With sparkling wine, there is nothing more frustrating than a bottle that’s lost its fizz. Lacking a Coravin Sparkling system, and with the ol’ teaspoon method being debunked, other options need to be explored. Drumroll, please… Piccolos! This issue is easy to eliminate with this perfect single-serve option. Gone are the days of sadly pouring that half bottle from last night down the sink.

2. Fridge Space:

Nobody likes playing fridge tetris, whether it be in the bar fridge or at home. This small format bottle finds it much easier to slot into the little gaps.

3. Quick Chills:

Due to the smaller volume of the bottle, Piccolos chill far quicker than their full-size pals, so if you’ve forgotten to pop them in until the last minute, you’re in luck.

4. Perfect for Cocktails!:

You can never go wrong with a good cocktail and an Italian Aperitivo is definitely an easy and crowd-pleasing choice. However, very rarely do these delicious treats call for more than a splash of the sparkles. One piccolo is the perfect for a pair of spritz’.

5. For the Commitment-Phobes:

The piccolo can be looked at as the ultimate way to try something without committing to a full 750ml. If someone’s not sold on sparklers yet, this is a great way to make sure they get a taste of perfectly cool, fresh wine and experiment without the fear of buyer’s remorse.

6. On-the-Go:

The piccolo’s are picnic-perfect! Easy to transport, easy to carry, and super easy to chuck into a lil chilly bin for an outdoorsy sip! If you’ve got these in your picnic basket, you could just pop a straw in and forgo the glass.

7. It’s Just Cute:

There’s a lot to be said about convenience, but sometimes the cute-factor is an important consideration. Little bottles of wine are cute, and really, that’s a valid reason on its own!

VinePair also reckons small-formats are on the rise in popularity. “Vive la small formats!” says Blaine Ashley, founder of New York Champagne Week & The FIZZ is Female. “[Smaller] bottles have been an ideal option for maintaining health and balance while still delighting in a wide array of sparkling wines,” she says.

“Vive la small formats!”
– Blaine Ashley

Prosecco in New Zealand

Kiwis have a unique collective-palate – perhaps due to an abundance of fantastic domestic offerings that we’re privileged to have nearby! Our Marlborough Sav’ and Otago Pinot Noir is world-class and keeps us on our toes when it comes to accepting high-quality offerings! But Champagne & Prosecco are both fast growing categories down in lil’ old Aotearoa.

“Sparkling white wine is fast becoming the drink of choice for Kiwis. Sales of prosecco, a long time favourite with Brits and Europeans alike, have increased by more than 40 per cent in this country over the past year.”
– NZ Herald, October 2020

“Entries into the sparkling category were up more than 30 per cent to more than 100 wines this year – a good indicator of growing consumer demand,” Jim Harré, New World Wine Awards chair of judges, said.

We’re not here to encourage you to blindly follow the crowd, but we gotta say we’re happy to go with the flow on this one. The rising popularity of prosecco in NZ, to us, is indicative of ever-increasing quality and dare-we-say, a population with fine taste.

About Sartori di Verona

To Juliet’s question ‘what’s in a name?’ the Sartori family would answer ‘everything!’

For over a century, Sartori has stood for traditional values elevated by innovation and a dedication to quality. Their story started in the latter part of the 1800’s, when there was a small trattoria that simply could not be missed for merchants, travellers and businessmen of the area – it was owned by one Pietro Sartori.

It was this inn and its strategic location that would turn Pietro into a wine merchant: the daily pouring over the counter made it necessary to have a steady supply of wine that was sufficient in both quantity and quality.

Thus, in 1898 grandfather Pietro bought his first vineyard in Negrar, so that the good wine would always be on the tables of his devoted clientele. In those days, horses had to carry people and goods, and Pietro rode determined to find opportunities to expand.

Today this spirit lives on in the current generation – Pietro’s great-grandchildren, still at the helm.

Cocktails We Recommend

There’s no denying that cocktails are very in ‘vogue’ right now, and they aren’t the bright traffic-light concoctions that some might expect! People are enjoying more classically styled, dry cocktails and fresh, vibrant spritzes to whet their appetites! In this spirit, check out some of our recommendations of how to enjoy the Sartori Prosecco 200mls with a special twist:

Bellini:

• Pureed white peach
• Sartori Prosecco Brut

Invented at Harry’s New York Bar in Venice, this two ingredient wunderkinder has set the tone for a lot of the sparkling wine drinks we take for granted. There would be no brekkie mimosa if it wasn’t for this tipple. Think puréed white peach topped with crisp Prosecco… Simply peach to taste and top with Prosecco. (Substitute peach for orange juice to make a Mimosa).

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Negroni Sbagliato:

• 25ml Sartori Prosecco Brut
• 25ml Campari
• 25ml 144 Islands Vermouth No.2
• Orange twist, to garnish

This citrus-noted classic is bitter, herbal, rich, and most of all – supremely sophisticated. We’ve been on a bit of a negroni buzz in general here at D&N since bringing on 144 Islands Vermouth, so switching out gin for Sartori Prosecco (as the ever-iconic Emma D’Arcy suggests,) is a no-brainer. Add the Prosecco,Vermouth & Campari to a mixer with ice, then strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with an orange twist.

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Classic Spritz:

• 90 ml La Marca Prosecco
• 60 ml Aperol
• Soda Water
• Orange Wedges To Garnish

What is more quintessentially Italian than Aperitivo? No drink sums this up more than the Spritz. Combining Sartori Prosecco with Aperol, freshly sliced orange and a touch of soda – a winning combination. This truly classic cocktail dates back to 1950’s! Fill a big wine glass ¾ with ice, add your liquids and garnish – voila!

The post Introducing… Sartori Prosecco Minis appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

31 August, 2021|In News, Winery Spotlight, Wines

The Love Child of Prosecco & Rosé is Here!

This year’s summertime splash is painted pink. And it sparkles!

This is the ‘love child’ of our two most beloved summer drinks: Rosé and Prosecco. Cheekily, we’ve nicknamed it ‘RO-SECCO’.

This is definitely one of the bubbling-over-with-excitement releases of 2021 – the long-awaited arrival to NZ’s shores of Sartori ‘Erfo’ Prosecco Rosé. The globally loved Italian sparkling wine, Prosecco, is now to bless us with a touch of pink and we’re fizzing!

We already love Sartori Prosecco here in NZ as it caters to all budgets and tastes. And if you love bubbly, fresh and fruity sparkling wines then you will love the new Sartori Prosecco Rosé even more. Thanks to our esteemed Italian producer, Casa Vinicola Sartori, we at Dhall & Nash Fine Wines have just landed the first shipment of ‘Ro-secco’ – just in time for all your spring and summer festivities!

The Humble Beginnings:

As the Sartori family ‘legend’ goes, Pietro Sartori founded his winery in 1898, only because – disappointed by his suppliers – he wanted to be served only the wines he had personally selected for his small trattoria and hotel. He judged it well and with his success it was just a few years before he had moved into the historic Villa Maria in the heart of Valpolicella, just outside of Verona. From then on, the Casa Vinicola Sartori winery grew steadily with the valued input of each subsequent generation. Today, Luca, Andrea, and Paolo Sartori, the fourth generation of the family, are in charge of the winery and exporting their extensive range of top notch vini to over 50 countries. And never ones to rest on their vines, they have now produced a stunning pink Prosecco to add to their luscious wine portfolio!

“Pink Prosecco Is the fizz that’s poised to ride the rosé wave.” – Elin McCoy, Wine Writer (Blomberg News)

A Bit of Background on the New Kid by the Pool:

Over the past decade, North-eastern Italy’s Prosecco region has been one of the primary drivers of the global boom in sparkling wine, leading us consumers to re-evaluate how and when we enjoy a glass of bubbly. We want it often and we want it approachably priced.

After much consultation and building on the success of selling over half a billion bottles of white Prosecco a year, the Consorzio di Tutela della Denominazione di Origine Controllata Prosecco — the consortium of Prosecco producers — decided to take it up a notch! In spring 2020, the Consorzio unveiled a new category, Prosecco D.O.C Rosé. Bottles flew out the doors as soon as it hit the US, UK, and European markets.

As Master of Wine Christy Canterbury says, “The category is set to soar”. There’s good reason for her prediction because Prosecco DOC Rosé is all about quality.

Since 2017, the Consorzio has been working on production standards for its best Rosés, determining the practices to follow in the vineyard and in the cellar that will result in elevated flavours and exquisite aromas. Only Prosecco producers that abide by the new Consorzio rules can label their wines as DOC Prosecco Rosé. The designation is a guarantee of excellence from the 111 producers that released them this past year.

Wineries can now put ‘Prosecco Rosé DOC’  the label, but only if the sparkling wine adheres to the following:

• It’s a blend of the region’s white grape Glera (used for regular prosecco) and 10% to 15% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir).
• Examples can be Brut Nature (very dry), Brut (dry) to Extra Dry (slightly sweet)
• All must be vintage dated (Millesimato)
• Wines must use the Charmat process, in which the second fermentation that produces bubbles happens in pressurized steel tanks, rather than in individual bottles, as in Champagne
• Prosecco Rosé ages at least 60 days in tanks to gain more flavour (only 30 days normally)
• The colour should be “pink more or less intense and shining”

“What I have tasted so far is fantastic,” says Master of Wine, Christy Canterbury. “There’s a seriousness and dimension to them that is less ethereal and just heartier and more exciting.”

Prosecco Rosé has an incredible balance between citrusy, floral, and vivacious red-berry flavours; between roundness and snap; between lusciousness and mineral refreshment. Also, the alcohol content is only around 11-12%, making these easy-drinking yet elevated pink wines, that are made for fun times, picnics, beachy afternoons, and sipping alongside charcuterie and other yummy nibbles at parties.

Ice buckets to the ready, just landed Sartori ‘Erfo’ Prosecco Rosé DOC – the ‘new pink’ – a divine sip-anytime fizz for when you need five minutes of instant relax and then a moment to drift off into a romantic Italian wonderland of frisky flavours.

Cin! Cin!

The post The Love Child of Prosecco & Rosé is Here appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

NV La Marca Prosecco Piccolos Three Pack (187ml)
“This is a delightfully fresh and elegant Prosecco with apple and nutty flavours on a frothy and lively palate.”
Raymond Chan (17.5 points)

The post Festive Picks: La Marca Piccolos 3 Pack appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

Ingredients:

1 ½ oz. La Marca Prosecco
1 ½ oz. aged rum
½ oz. lime juice
½ oz. simple syrup
10 mint leaves

Method:

• Muddle the mint and shake all ingredients except La Marca
• Strain into a coupe glass while simultaneously pouring in your Prosecco
• Garnish with a mint sprig
• Enjoy!

The post Cocktail: La Marca Prosecco Spring Soirée appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

Cherry blossoms, frolicking lambs and daylight savings screams one thing to us here at Dhall & Nash – La Marca! As the picnic season approaches, we’re all trading our heaters in for sandals, sunnies, and packs of our favourite little piccolos.

Piccolos are a relatively new innovation, and they’re changing the way consumers drink. The handy 187ml format – aside from being cute – eliminates a lot of the drawbacks of the standard 750ml bottles, and when these fabulous little bottles are filled with La Marca? It’s impossible to resist their charm.

Being so compact, they’re so easy to take with you to the next picnic or pool party. Their size makes them perfect for carrying around with ease – and you don’t even need a glass! Pop a straw in and sip some bubbles without the worry of it running out of fizz.

It’s not just the dinky bottles that are worth writing home about though – La Marca itself is synonymous with Prosecco and has a loyal following for good reason!

In 2016, The Ultimate Wine Challenge awarded this liquid gold with 92 points: “This prosecco pours pale straw with a fine head before releasing a floral aroma of lilies and apples. The carbonation balances out the fruity sweetness of pear and apple flavors before a clean, crisp finish that refreshes the palate.”

If Prosecco isn’t quite your thing, or if you just want to switch it up a bit – La Marca is the perfect ingredient for making some stellar sparkling cocktails, too! And with the piccolo? No wastage! The perfect size to allow you to let your inner-mixologist out to experiment with!

These convenient little gems are available as individual units or in handy packs of three (for when one just isn’t enough!) and are a staple in the fridge for most of us at Dhall & Nash. They may be our go-to springtime sparkler, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make them a year-round treat!

NV La Marca Premium Prosecco Piccolo (187ml)
“This prosecco pours pale straw with a fine head before releasing a floral aroma of lilies and apples. The carbonation balances out the fruity sweetness of pear and apple flavors before a clean, crisp finish that refreshes the palate.”
Ultimate Wine Challenge (92 points)

Also available in 187ml three packs, 750ml and 1.5L magnums.

The post La Marca Piccolos: The Absolute Must-Have Springtime Sparklers appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

#8 NV La Marca Prosecco: Let’s make everyday sparkle with the world’s top-selling premium Prosecco! Boasting seemingly endless awards and a loyal, global following, few brands are as synonymous with Prosecco as La Marca.

To find out more about this King of Prosecco click the links below.

INTRODUCING LA MARCA – MAKE EVERY DAY SPARKLE

MAKE EVERYDAY SPARKLE – WITH OUR GUIDE TO PROSECCO COCKTAILS

The post #8 : NV La Marca Prosecco appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

La Marca is the top-selling premium prosecco in the US and is growing fast – and it’s easy to see why. Dry, crisp and packed full of refreshing flavour, it’s easy to drink as it comes, or splashed into a delicious prosecco cocktail. Stunning bottles with elegant and recognisable labels look the part everywhere from poolside brunch to moody evening events and come in small formats too.

We’d like to whole-heartedly thank all those who attended this fabulous evening and we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

The post La Marca Prosecco Launch appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

When its come to sparkling wine the piccolo is definitely one of the great innovations. It’s changing how we approach these delicious treats, taking them out of the realm of celebrations into the realm of everyday luxury. So here are 7 reasons to love piccolos, just in time for Summer…

1. Zero Wastage

With sparkling wine, there is nothing more frustrating than a bottle that’s lost its fizz. This is easy to eliminate with this perfect single serve option. Gone are the days of sadly pouring that half bottle from last nights party down the sink as its gone flat…

2. Fridge Space and Cooling

In the modern apartment and home, fridges are getting smaller and thus putting a premium on space. This small format bottle slots into the little gaps in your fridge. Plus in an added bonus rapid chilling! Due to the smaller volume of the bottle, it chills far more rapidly than its full-size brothers. Just think, ice cold Prosecco in under 30 minutes.

3. Great for Cocktails

With the resurgence in cocktails, the Italian Aperitivo is definitely an easy home option. However, very rarely do these delicious treats call for more than a splash of the good stuff. One piccolo is the perfect for a pair of spritz’… For more cocktail ideas check out our guide to Prosecco drinks here.

4. Variety is the Spice of Life

The piccolo can be looked at as the ultimate way to experience a diverse range of wines. With its small format it’s the perfect way to enjoy a super fresh bottle every time plus it means you’re not committed to 750ml of liquid. So change it up and experiment with something new in this small format!

5. Cute, Cute, Cute!

There’s nothing cuter than little things! So what’s cuter than a little bottle of vino? Not a lot – so wow your party guests with an ice cold piccolo. We suggest La Marca…

6. Picnic Perfect

Slide a couple of these discrete treats into your next picnic spread… Their small scale makes them an easy option – plus you don’t need to remember glasses just grab some straws and enjoy some Prosecco in the summer sun!

7. Convenience Plus

Piccolos are perfect for the busy modern life! Pocket-sized, quick to chill, no wastage, easy open and who needs a glass? Slide one in your bag and head out there and Make Everyday Sparkle

Check out our pick of the Piccolos – La Marca Prosecco Here…

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With the massive international growth in Prosecco internationally, the drinks associated with this pre-dinner phenomenon are everywhere from the Bellini, Mimosa and Spritz to obscure beasts like the Airmail and French 75.

So in conjunction with La Marca Prosecco here are our favourite tipples from the happiest hour of the day.

1. La Marca Spritz

What is more quintessentially Italian than Aperitivo? No drink sums this up more than the La Marca Spritz. Combining La Marca Prosecco with Aperol, freshly sliced orange and a touch of soda – a winning combination. This truly classic cocktail dates back to 1950’s but has been given a new modern twist thanks to this ultra-premium Prosecco.

Click here for the recipe.

2. La Marca Bellini

Invented at Harry’s New York Bar in Venice this two ingredient wunderkinder has set the tone for a lot of the sparkling wine drinks we take for granted. There would be no mimosa if it wasn’t for this beast. Think puréed white peach topped with crisp Prosecco… Simply peach to taste and top with Prosecco. (Substitute peach for orange juice to make a Mimosa).

3. Negroni Sbagliato

This modern classic is a riff on the infamous Negroni. Switching out gin for Prosecco softens this bittersweet classic. There’s nothing more perfect than this to sip while enjoying the Dolce Vita. Equal parts Campari, Vermouth di Torino (Red/Rosso Vermouth) topped with the same amount of Prosecco and garnished with a slice of orange. Quick, easy and the perfect way to add a little class to your evening drinks.

Here’s one of our own: The Venetian Love Letter

A homage to a drink almost as classically stylish as La Marca itself – the Airmail. Riffing on this Caribbean twist on the French 75, this brings Italy to the forefront. Blending Lime, Amaro Montenegro, Rum, honey and most importantly La Marca Prosecco into a frothy blend sure to enrapture the senses and send you straight to a tavern on the edge of the canals.

Click here for the recipe.

So get creating with this small slice of Apertivo and remember, Piccolos are perfect for cocktails!

The post Make Everyday Sparkle with our Guide to Prosecco Cocktails appeared first on Dhall & Nash Fine Wines.

31 October, 2017|In Winery Spotlight

Introducing La Marca: Make Every Day Sparkle

La Marca is named for the La Marca Trevigiana zone, located in the heart of the Prosecco region, where its grapes are grown. Founded over 40 years ago, this co-op comprising of over 5,000 growers cultivates 6,880 hectares in Treviso – the true heart of the Prosecco growing region. Focusing on creating wine from only the best grapes and using the best technology available to make the world’s best Prosecco.

Wine Description:

Made in the Treviso area of Northern Italy from the Glera grape, Prosecco is characterized by light and delicate fruit and floral aromatics, and a friendly mouthfeel. Prosecco is best consumed soon after production while it still retains its youthful fruitiness and stimulating acidity.

Winemaking Notes:

La Marca Prosecco is produced from 100% Glera grapes harvested in early September, and sourced from hundreds of small vineyards throughout the region. The grapes were crushed immediately after harvest before being pressed in gentle membrane presses. The juice was allowed to cold-settle before the initial fermentation occurred in stainless steel at 15-18˚C. The still wine underwent ageing on the lees prior to a secondary fermentation using the Charmat method at a temperature of 15˚C.

Tasting Notes:

This fully sparkling wine is a pale, golden straw in colour. Bubbles are full textured and persistent. On the nose, the wine brings fresh citrus with a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach and honeysuckle. The soft, harmonious fruity notes make this wine ideal for any occasion.

La Marca is about transforming a moment, or closer, a mood. Opening a bottle brings an energy that enlivens, uplifts, and elevates, in an era when affordable luxury is appreciated. So let’s make everyday sparkle.

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