Riserva V38AG - BRUT

Refined, Lively, Exotic
V38AG is a sparkling wine that embodies the history and expertise of the Milazzo family.
Its name refers to the first bottler code assigned to the winery, symbolizing a journey that began over forty years ago and has always been dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.
Born from a blend of Chardonnay, the dominant variety, and Inzolia, carefully selected from the winery’s finest plots, V38AG expresses balance, depth and elegance.
Extended aging on the lees in the cellar enriches its character, resulting in a refined and complex Riserva that embodies Milazzo’s vision of Metodo Classico sparkling wine.

The Story Behind V38AG
V38AG is a symbolic name. It was the first bottler code assigned to the winery by the regulatory authority, authorizing Milazzo to bottle its own wines.
The Riserva was created in the wake of the success of the Milazzo V38AG Riserva Speciale 40th Anniversary, produced in 2014 to celebrate 40 years since the first bottle of Milazzo Metodo Classico was put to tirage at the winery in Campobello di Licata in 1974.
In keeping with a style that combines elegance with the unique character of the winery’s grape varieties and terroir, this Metodo Classico Riserva reveals a refined and complex personality. Its character is enhanced by the skilful use of second-use French oak barriques during the aging of the cuvée.
The extreme refinement of Chardonnay is complemented by the strength and Mediterranean character of Inzolia, whose remarkable ability to evolve over time adds further depth and complexity.

WINE TYPE: Classic Method Brut Sparkling Wine – Riserva
GRAPE VARIETIES: Chardonnay (dominant) – Inzolia

SOIL TYPE: Contrada Milici: Marl-derived plateau with a high clay content, strongly calcareous and rich in stones. Contrada Fondirò, Munti area: dark clay soils, highly mineral-rich. Contrada Ninotta: white soil with strongly calcareous marl and grey loamy-silty soil.
TRAINING SYSTEM: Tendone and trellis systems, with spurred cordon and Guyot pruning.
HARVEST PERIOD: Chardonnay: first half of August; Inzolia: early September.
HARVESTING METHOD: Careful selection of the grape clusters directly in the vineyard, followed by manual harvesting into 14 kg crates.

WINEMAKING: Whole-cluster pressing, using only the first pressings. Fermentation at a controlled temperature. The sparkling-wine base wines are aged partly in stainless-steel tanks and partly in oak barriques.
MATURATION: The cuvée, with the addition of the tirage liqueur, undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle. The bottles are then stacked in the cellar and aged on the lees for a minimum of 48 months.

Tasting Notes
Bright and delicate straw yellow in color, with greenish reflections and a very fine, persistent perlage. Fragrant on the nose, with notes of vanilla and pastry, beautifully integrated with delicate spicy nuances and hints of Mediterranean scrub. Full-bodied and structured on the palate, with a creamy and savory character. Its appealing, slightly powdery texture makes it particularly well suited to pairing with food.

Food Pairings
Particularly well suited to fish dishes, shellfish and crustaceans.

SERVING TEMPERATURE: 5–7°C.
ALCOHOL: 12.5% vol.