Sicilian Surprise!

When I think of bubbly wines I think of northern climates — Champagne, the Veneto — so the last place I expect to find a terrific sparkling rosé is Sicily. And yet, Jeremy Parzen — the creative wine curator at our favorite local Italian restaurant, Sotto — has found one that dazzles with flavor and delights with its unexpected provenance. Murgo Brut Rosé is the name, but alas, I cannot say where you might be able to find this lovely, lively, refreshing, complex, crisp rosé except on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, at our beloved Sotto. I can tell you that it is 100% Nerello Mascalese, and I will say, if you happen to find yourself on the westside of Los Angeles it’s worth a trip just to say you had bubbly from Sicily! The balance is spectacular — not to sweet or too dry, with plenty of effervescence and that hint of something wonderful yet substantive that distinguishes a fine rosé brut from the colorless ones. GREAT, of course, with oysters and lighter antipasti like panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters), but I would imagine — we didn’t try this pairing — perfectly wonderful with many seafood and light primi courses. Who knew?!? A  terrific bubbly that you’d NEVER guess was from anywhere as far south as the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily!