ROTARI DEBUTS VINTAGE BRUT AND ROSÉ WINES

Rotari estate-grown metodo classico sparkling wines from the Italian Alps represent a category that is not well known in the U.S. – often overshadowed by venerated Champagne – and yet boasts stringent standards of production that are equal to if not stricter than France’s famed bubbly. And while Rotari has earned high ratings and awards, its wines command an affordable price point of just $19.99. To further emphasize the standards to which these wines are made – done so in accordance with the regulations of the Trentodoc appellation (and, in fact, surpassing the time requirement to age on the lees), Rotari Metodo Classico sparkling wine of Italy today announces the introduction of vintage designations.
 
These debut vintage Brut and Rosé wines arrive in the U.S. market this spring, produced from estate fruit that was harvested in 2013. By introducing vintages, Rotari Brut and Rosé join a short list of the world’s most notable limited-production estate-grown sparkling wines that showcase vintage, terroir of origin and the artistry of winemaking. And while most Champagne is non-vintage, Rotari’s vintage-dated metodo classico wines will continue to evolve gracefully in the bottle in the same manner as a vintage-dated still wine.
 
Rotari is produced under the timeless Metodo Classico technique – as the traditional Champenoise practice is known in northern Italy – and includes the customary steps of secondary fermentation in the bottle, dosage, riddling, and prolonged aging on the lees. Rotari ages its Brut and Rosé on the lees for a minimum of 24 months instead of the required 15 and is made from estate grapes that are all hand-harvested. The winery’s adherence to narrowly defined growing areas and yield control, as well as its dedication to sustainable vineyard management, along with the unique microclimates and pristine environment of the Trentodoc region, result in fruit that is superbly delicate, aromatic and complex.
 
Access to this superior fruit, which vividly reflects a sense of place, is part of winemaker Lucio Matricardi’s inspiration for Rotari, which is produced in a winery dedicated exclusively to the sparkling wine. “Though we are 900 kilometers south of Champagne, the mountain air, clear lakes, and glaciers that surround us make Trentino an exceptional area for the cultivation of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The grapes reach an optimal ripeness here—you taste the Alps in every bottle,” says Matricardi, Ph.D.  “Rotari is a labor of love where we are able to handcraft exceptional wines at a world-class facility to celebrate one of the world’s great wine styles.”
 
Tasting Notes:
 
Rotari Brut 2013
(100% Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs; Trentodoc; 12.5% ABV; $19.99
Intensely fragrant with a harmonious structure that pairs well with diverse flavor profiles
Color:              Straw yellow with elegant green notes
Bouquet:         Rich, fresh, intense, with notes of pineapple, green apple, white flowers and delicately yeasty
Flavor:            Full, with pleasantly balanced acidity
Perlage:           Fine, elegant and persistent
 
Rotari Rosé 2013
(75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay; Trentodoc; 12.5% ABV; $19.99)
An austere, rich and beautifully aromatic wine
Color:              Soft pink
Bouquet:         Elegant, subtle hints of wild strawberry, cherry and currant
Flavor:            Delicate and fragrant, with hints of yeast and spices
Perlage:           Fine and persistent
 
To mark the introduction of the new vintage designation, Rotari also introduces an active social media campaign on all major platforms, and a robust media presence. The hashtag #LetsRotari, a nod to the everyday luxury and approachable pricing of the wines, will serve as a cross-platform link, capturing and amplifying owned and shared content.
 
Rotari wines will be available nationwide. For more information, go to http://rotari.it/en-us/; or follow the brand via @RotariUSA.