Anyone who has visited the magical city of Venice has most certainly encountered the famous wine of Prosecco. The legendary estate of Nino Franco, located in the celebrated region of Valdobbiadene, has been producing Prosecco wines for more than three generations Primo Franco, grandson of the original founder, Nino, professionally and lovingly moved this estate into the twenty first century, setting the example to other producers. Unquestionably one of the top producers of Prosecco today, the quality of the man is to be found in his wine.
American wine critic Robert Parker scored Rustico 89/100.
Antonio Franco founded the "Cantine Franco" winery in Valdobbiadene in 1919. This winery is proud to be one of the oldest in Valdobbiadene, located in the town centre, not far away from the countryside and the vineyards.
Primo Franco was one of the first pioneers to export the Prosecco and to introduce a different sparkling wine than Champagne into the international market. These wines are quite simply the best Prosecco you can find perfect as an aperitif or try the Rive di San Floriano with your meal.
Nino Franco, Vino Spumante (Italy) Vintage “Grave di Stecca Millesimato Brut 2010”
– 93 points Michael Franz Oct 1, 2013
This wine is sourced from a single, limestone-rich site in which the vines are trained in cordon fashion and farmed sustainably. The appellation authorities found it too atypical to permit it designation under the DOCG, so you’ll find reference neither to Valdobbiadene nor Prosecco on the label (despite the fact that it is sourced from a prime site and made entirely from Glera). The authorities had a point, I suppose, as the wine is indeed highly atypical, but had I been in charge, I’d have decided in a millisecond to keep this associated with my appellation. In any case, this is a late-released, thrillingly mineral-drive wine from stem to stern, though delicate fruit is also present in the aromas, flavors and finish. Finished with just 7 grams per liter of sugar, this is close to as intricately complex as a Prosecco can be. Call it what you will, but for me, this is one of the most enduringly interesting wines I’ve ever tasted from this region and grape. And by the way, it can even hold up over time: I also tasted the 2008, which showed only positive oxidative characters and was every bit as good as the 2010, based on different strengths.
Nino Franco brings a single vineyard, older vine focus to their Grave di Stecca also choosing to pick earlier to bring juicy focused length to this Prosecco. The Grave di Stecca 2010 gives a crisp spice nose carrying into a uniquely spiced palate of orchard fruit, on a palate that simultaneously offers rich depth and nice focus with lots of mineral length and a long juicy finish. This wine holds up very well alongside a range of foods.
Though the Grave di Stecca follows all of the DOCG requirements, because the family wishes to honor the unique flavoral characteristics of the vineyard, they choose not to submit it to the actual DOCG inspection. This wine, then, is essentially a declassified DOCG. Incidentally, I have also had positive experiences with the aging potential of this particular Prosecco.
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