By Dwight Casimere
Historical documents bear witness to the existence of Bartolomeo Bortolomiol, one of the founding fathers of Prosecco in the 18th century. Through him, his descendants developed a love for the land and their desire to dedicate their lives toward the future of the Prosecco denomination.
It is in that spirit that Bortolomiol presents its Grande Cuvee Del Fondatore Mostus Vitae 2019 ($28), an Extra Brut Prosecco Superiore from the Valdobbiadene.
In the years after World War !!, the fate of a young Giuliano Bortolomiol and that of the abandoned vineyards of the Valdobbiadene became intertwined and the future of Prosecco wine was secured.
Armed with a degree from the Institute of Oenology at Conegliano, young Giuliano set about reviving the vineyards and creating the Prosecco wine that we all know and love today.
Bortolomiol Grande Cuvee Del Fondatore bracing, complex and bold. In short, it captures the spirit of Prosecco in a bottle. Terrific as an aperitif, it is even better with food. I spent an entire weekend pigging out on Sushi and Sashi in all its many forms; Make Sushi, Salmon Nigiri, Rice Paper Sushi, Spicy Tuna or California rolls, or alongside crisp, cool salads made with delicate greens, edible flowers flavored sesame oil vinaigrette and a side of Miso.
Fresh, line-caught Wild Salmon gets the royal treatment on the grill, turned just once over smoldering hot coals, then using the trimmings to create a loose salmon pate with some sesame crackers to round out the evening. Follow that up with lemon sorbet, almond cookies, and a final glass of Grande Cuvee and for just under $30, one could not create a more elegant and tasteful way to welcome the warm, languid evenings that lie ahead.