Happy 2026, everyone.
Let’s get started this New Year with a “pink note”: a rosé wine from a tricky Italian denomination, Oltrepo Pavese.
It’s maybe the widest area in Italy where Pinot Noir is cultivated and it’s famous mainly for its classic method sparkling wines. The grapes used in this case are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Blanc. The wine we review here is a rosé crafted exclusively with Pinot Noir – in pink. Torre degli Alberi is actually a small village that grew up around an ancient tower, which has always belonged to the Del Verme family. The winery is named after the village and currently is run by Camillo Del Verme and his nephew Filippo Del Verme. It’s located at 500 m. above the sea level, and produces only classic method sparkling wines.
This one is a (former) Cruasé: such was the name chosen in 2010 by the local Consorzio di Tutela to identify the pink bubbles of the denomination. It was a collective brand to identify the only Classic Method Rosé Sparkling Wine made exclusively from the vinification of Pinot Noir, and had to be a new way of understanding the Classic Method. Unfortunatley, this project was unsuccesful and soon was abandoned. In the meantime though, those who were producing rosè sparkling wines named the bottles “Cruasé”, and this is the reason of this label – one of the last on the market, I think.
Torre degli Alberi CRUASE’ Oltrepo’ Pavese Metodo Classico Pinot Nero Rosé DOCG Millesimato 2020
How does this sparkling wine introduce itself? In the glass, the wine has a nice antique rose color, with coppery hues. The perlage is thick, compact, with tiny bubbles. The flavors remind small ripen red fruits (strawberries, raspberries) with a touch of a red candy and a refreshing leaf of selvatic mint. In the mounth is creamy, and fresh. Well balanced, it has a great drinkability and a clean and long final. Great for a toast or with appetizers, I would rather uncork a bottle of it for a whole meal instead, as it worth it.
MPS*: 3/5
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*My Personal Score