Nave de Oro rosé is a last summer fling

Here we go. The LCBO has put this wine on clearance, officially signalling the end of summer. Well, perhaps not quite the end, as this wine brings some of that summertime feeling indoors. Certainly, at this price, it’s worth stocking up.

There’s little information available about this wine, although after some lengthy detective work, I believe this may be a wine originating from Vini Tonon. It’s a winery in Italy’s Veneto region which produces Prosecco as well as the famous Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. 

I could also find no information about the grapes that went into making this but being from Veneto, we might assume that it’s one, or both, of the better-known red grapes in Veneto: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Raboso.

There’s absolutely nothing complex about this wine. The nose gives off the obligatory (for rosé) notes of strawberry, hints of raspberry and stone fruit. Despite the 17 g/l of sugar it doesn’t taste all that sweet as the acidity performs a fine balancing act.

It’s on the palate where this wine sings, not because of a bombast of fruitiness but because it’s so clean. It’s as refreshing as your favourite sparkling mineral water on a hot day. There’s that red berry fruit and white peach coming up the middle before finishing with an energetic minerality. 

For those to whom it matters, this bubbly is organic and vegan. No animals (other than vineyard pests) were harmed in the making of this wine. It’s also nice that the package is a reusable swing-top bottle.

If you like to celebrate the New Year with a glass of bubbles, this will be a delightful option if, like most of us, you’re on a budget. While it’s the sort of wine just opened for fun and company, this will also pair nicely with a grilled seafood salad or even oysters.

Not every wine needs to be a contemplative experience. Sometimes it’s just a summer fling.