The Bortolomiol 2021 Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Prior Brut is foamy and fresh when poured from its chilled bottle. The bouquet is light and delicate with white rose, citrus and pear. This sparkler delivers a linear, steely quality that is in line with the Brut philosophy. Exactly 8,136 bottles were made.

It’s hard to imagine a wine more ingeniously engineered for good times and easy drinking than Italy’s bubbly Prosecco. Of the many expressions on the market today, Bortolomiol’s Prior Brut (lowest in terms of sweetness) is a fantastic bargain thanks to delicate floral, lime, citrus and cut-grass aromas. But there’s sophistication here too, thanks to the pale wine’s pretty perlage and it’s creamy mouthfeel (a small percentage of Pinot Bianco is used in the blend for added structure). Pair it with appetizers and finger foods, or better yet, with a full course of pan seared ahi tuna and wild fennel reduction sauce.——M.L.(11/15/2007)—— 87

Prior Brut Prosecco from Bortolomiol (a winery run by a dynamic group of sisters) is a stand-out sparkling wine that represents the best of this fast growing category. The wine is lean and refreshing yet beautifully balanced by delicate tones of stone fruit and white flower—and the price is attractively low.——M.L.(7/1/2009)—— 87