Ca del Bosco Cuvee Annamaria Clementi is the top bottling of Lombardy power-producer Ca del Bosco. Faced with last nights choice of sparkler I had to make a toughie between Ca del Bosco Cuvee Annamaria Clementi and the Giacosa Spumante Extra Brut. I opted for this wine for two reasons. Firstly, I've drunk so much Giacosa this year it's borderline obscene and secondly, because the Ca del Bosco comes from Lombardy, a region I have continually neglected since the beginning of the blog.
Ca del Bosco is a huge outfit and the most famous wine maker internationally within Lombardy. Producing some of Italy's highest quality sparkling whites, Ca del Bosco do not stop there also producing daring red Bordeaux blends, Chardonnay, Carmenere, Pinot Nero, Merlot and 2 Franco-Italico blends using Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Barbera and Nebbiolo (I know! Click here to see this wine) all grown in Franciacorte. One question though, no Riesling? :DDespite this industrious and inventive range Ca del Bosco are known for their sparkling wines, producing 7 highly respected sparklers both of the white and pink variety. This one is undoubtedly the best, the Brut Cuvee Annamaria however does have a reputation for vying quite wildly year on year from "The best sparkling white in all of Italy" in good vintages to "The most overpriced sparkling white" in bad. I got my mits on the 2001 and hand on heart it's quality, as it ought to be at €60 a pop. However, very few wines can be used as a living room ornament come fancy paper weight after consumption and so you're getting value right off the bat!
Ca del Bosco receives tanto amore on home soil. As I've whinged about more than once, finding French wines in Italy is impossible so when the sports teams of Italy win, as they seem invariable to do, you'll likely see this stumpy fella on the podium opposed to your Champagnes with a capital C. Ca del Bosco are the teachers pet of Gambero Rosso with over 25 Tre Bicchere awards putting them just behind Mr Gaja and Spinetta.
Ca del Bosco Cuvee Annamaria Clementi 2001 - BUY - €60
Spicy notes come straight out of the glass, with some secondary notes of apples, flowers, a nutty (pine nuts!!!) character and toasted oak. Well balanced and full bodied sparkling white with acres of pineapples & a little stone fruit on the palate and a long, vibrant finish, standout acidity, fresh and charming. 92 Points
Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans - Italian Wine Shop - €61
Americans - Cellar Brokers - $60
Brits - Nickolls and Perks - £48
Australians - Cellar d'Or - AU$141
Could only find the 1990 in the States. What's the story with that?
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My excuse for opening such a fantastic bottle of Sparkling wine for myself, on my lonesome, on a Wednesday night? I have levelled my World of Warcraft character to 68 and it took me, on and off, 4 months to do it. I blame each one of you for this. What has been your most questionable justification for popping Champagne/Sparkling wine?
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