Here it comes – another wine day! National Prosecco Day is August 13. August is the perfect time of year to celebrate warm weather and friends with Italian sparkling wine. And this year we have a bit of a twist for you. We received tasting samples of Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and Root 23 Cherry Almond Simple Syrup along with a recipe for Nino Franco Summer Kir. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
Last year our National Prosecco Day celebration included constructing a Prosecco tower, which was exceptionally stressful. This year our task was to create a cocktail. No problem, and we even followed the instructions this time. But first a taste of Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG on its own.
Nino Franco Rustico is made using 100% Glera grapes and the second, bubble-producing fermentation is completed in pressurized tanks rather than in the bottle as in Champagne. It is a non-vintage Prosecco, meaning more than one vintage may be blended together.
This Prosecco has a very long name, but the name is an important indicator of quality Prosecco. Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG falls near the top of the quality pyramid for Prosecco. Vineyards are located on hilly terrain within a small area that includes 15 designated communes. Nino Franco was established in 1919 and the third generation of the family now continues the work begun by Antonio. Nino Franco is one of the oldest estates in Valdobbiadene located in the hills just north of Venice.
The Nino Franco Summer Kir is made using 5 oz Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and 1 tablespoon of Root 23 Cherry Almond Simple Syrup. Use your favorite coupe or flute.
I chose a coupe that belonged to my grandmother. I don’t often use them, so this was the perfect opportunity to do so. I thought of Grandma as I made this drink and admired the beautiful glass. She wasn’t much of a drinker. She always said alcohol went to her knees, meaning it made her feel wobbly. As a child I remember thinking that was so funny. I’m pretty sure she would have enjoyed the flavor of a Nino Franco Summer Kir even though she might not have finished the glass to make sure she didn’t feel unsteady.
Thanks to the folks at Donna White Communications and Terlato Wine Group for providing the delicious Nino Franco Rustico and to Root 23 for the essential ingredient in the refreshing Nino Franco Summer Kir.
Cheers!
Beautiful! I mix everything with prosecco, even some strawberry sauce I made in the spring. It just makes the prosecco more festive! Really, it’s a Kir Royale, although if I were to get legal about it, it would have to be champagne!
The Nino Franco Rustico is a very good wine at an approachable price point. What a good idea to add some cherry-almond syrup to it for a refreshing summer cocktail! I love that you chose to serve it in your grandmother’s glass: I have a few coupes like that from my grandmother and it’s always a pleasure to put them to good use. Cheers Nancy!