Guicciardini Strozzi Cusona Brut nv Spumante di Vernaccia di San Gimingnano, Italia
The Strozzi family are the 15th generation of descendants of Lisa Gherardini del Giocondo, otherwise known as La Gioconda, painted by Leonardo da Vinci and also count themselves as ancestors of Sir Winston Churchill.
The Cusona estate spreads over 530 hectares and is situated amongst the green Tuscan hills, close to the medieval town of San Gimignano (known as the medieval Manhattan). It's here, back in 994, that the earliest wines were produced.
The Vernaccia grapes used in the production of this wine were harvested early to capture the vibrant acidity necessary to produce a well-made sparkling wine. The bubbles are produced using the Charmat method and the wine is allowed to develop in contact with the yeast lees for several months.
This wine is delicately fruity with hints of pear, apple and citrus fruits, complimented by brioche notes. An excellent aperitif, that pairs well with an assortment of canapés.