Gorgeous UK-exclusive sparkling rosé made from the powerful Nebbiolo grape

This sparkling rosé wine from award-winning winemaker Fabrizio Francone is a delightfully unusual bubbly. It is made from Nebbiolo, which is normally reserved for the legendary reds of Piedmont: Barolo and Barbaresco.

Winemaking

Valsellera is crafted using the classic method - similar to the way Champagne is made. The grapes were hand-harvested in late summer from the winemaker's family vineyard in Neive. After crushing, the juice was left in contact with the skins for a few hours to absorb the distinctive Nebbiolo flavours, and then fermented at 16°C. Finally, it was aged in the bottle on its lees for three years - a very long period for a rosé. This extended ageing smoothens the muscular and coarse tannins Nebbiolo is famous for, and helps the wine to develop a velvety, delicate character.

Tasting notes

In the glass, this Nebbiolo bubbly has a bright ruby-pink colour. A fresh violet floral nose with a core of bitter red grapefruit, lingering notes of wild strawberry balanced by a lick of sweet vanilla. Fine mousse and impressive structure reflecting long ageing sur lie.

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Bronze Medal (NV) | Falstaff Magazin 2021 - 93 points | I Vini Di Veronelli 2021 - 2 stars

Old-vine Barbaresco with flavours of dried rose, liquorice, leather and tobacco.

As seen in The Independent: this wine was selected as an Indy Best Buy product in the best organic wines range (2017 vintage).

Barbaresco DOCG is one of Italy’s greatest red wines, and this UK-exclusive is an excellent example. It was awarded a remarkable 94 points by Wine Enthusiast – and for good reason. Grapes are grown in the old vineyard L’Ciaciaret, in the Gallina MGA (cru) in the municipality of Neive. Gallina is one of the most valuable crus in the Neive area, and is listed on Renato Ratti’s historic map of Barbaresco cru-vineyards. In 2014, the winery and the Francone vineyard were listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Only 3,000 bottles of this Barbaresco are produced per year, making this a seriously exclusive wine. We recommend buying now if you want to taste it.

Sustainable winemaking

Grapes are harvested by hand in the first part of October (usually around the 10th of the month). After fermentation and 14 days of maceration on the skins, the wine is matured for 18 months in French oak casks, and refined further in bottle.

This sustainable Barbaresco wine is produced following the “Green Experience” system. This is a set of rules for eco-friendly grape-growing. It started in Piedmont, where winemakers decided that the traditional organic laws don't provide enough protection for the environment. It already unites more than 100 vineyards, including renowned producers of Barolo and Barbaresco.

Tasting notes

In the glass, this old-vine Barbaresco has medium garnet colour. It's refined, concentrated and deep, with classic Barbaresco flavours of dried rose, liquorice and clove. Seconds later, the wine reveals nuances of sweet pipe tobacco, old leather and chocolate. Very tannic.

Ageing potential

20 years

Awards

Wine Enthusiast - 94 points (2019 vintage) | Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 - Silver Medal (2017 vintage) | Decanter World Wine Awards 2019 - Gold Medal (2016 vintage) | Luca Maroni, 91 points (2017 vintage)

A silky Nebbiolo Langhe crafted by award-winning winemaker, Fabrizio Francone "like they used to 30 years ago". Flavours of liquorice, rose petals and spices

This wine offers the full Nebbiolo experience, with silky tannins and a lighter colour. Fabrizio Francone, the owner and winemaker, says he wanted to make it in the traditional style. This is how it was done in Neive by generations of his family. The resulting Nebbiolo wine doesn't need to be aged for as long as Barolo or Barbaresco. It is enjoyable at a younger age as a casual drink, or with a plate of pasta, risotto or pork chops.

Winemaking

Fabrizio makes this wine from grapes grown on 15 year old vines in his Barbaresco Fausoni vineyard. As the vines get older, they will be used for the powerful top-of-the-line Barbaresco Fausoni (Decanter Silver Medal). Now, while they're younger, they produce grapes with fruitier flavours, and harsher tannins. That's why Fabrizio says the wine has to be produced in a different way.

First, grapes are fermented for only two weeks, rather than the four weeks required for a classic Barbaresco. This means that the wine picks up fewer tannins at the tail end of fermentation. Next, Fabrizio ages the wine for 15 months in large 30 year old French oak barrels. This allows slow contact with oxygen, without adding strong oaky flavours. This type of long, gentle ageing makes the tannins milder.

We’re proud to be the UK-exclusive merchant for Fabrizio Francone's other award-winning wines, including Barolo (Decanter Silver Medal) and Barbaresco Gallina (Decanter Gold Medal).

Grapes are hand-harvested in early October. After being destemmed and crushed, they're fermented for ten days in stainless steel vats. After that, the wine is aged for fifteen months in old 4000-litre French oak barrels. Old barrels are used as they help to preserve the natural flavours of Nebbiolo, rather than overpowering it.

Tasting notes

Red garnet colour shows the extensive oak ageing. Very prominent notes of cranberry, liquorice, eucalyptus, black pepper, cloves and meat. Aromas of dried rose petals add an intriguing element. This Nebbiolo wine is dry with grippy tannins, medium alcohol and a pronounced taste of black fruits and liquorice with an undertone of spices.

Awards

I Vini Di Veronelli - 2 stars (2018 vintage) | Luca Maroni - 90 points (2017 vintage) 

This mahogany wooden box is perfect to showcase the luxurious nature of your wine gift.

The beautifully polished wooden box is finished with a dark matt varnish. It’s stamped with the Independent Wine insignia, and closes with a metal latch.

Made from timber sourced exclusively from sustainable producers, each box is certified by The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and stamped with their logo.