There is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to sparkling wines being produced in the mountains and valleys of Northern Italy. While there are many delicious traditionally tailored spumante to be had, it’s the naturally made frizzante that really gets us going. Fresh and vibrant, these wines are the perfect remedy on a hot day and with their versatility, perfect for outdoor dining on a warm night. We are starting to assemble a formidable selection of these summer slammers and a couple of our favorites just arrived.

The folks behind Poderi Cellario are Fausto and Cinzia Cellario, 3rd generation winemakers in the village of Carru` on the western outskirts of the Langhe. The family believes in only working with local, indigenous Piemontese grape varieties and fiercely defends local winemaking traditions both in the vineyard and the cellar. The Cellario vineyard holdings amount to some 30ha between 5 different vineyard sites covering the southern Langhe. Vineyard work is organic (soon to be certified) and all the fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts. Sulfur is only added in tiny quantities at bottling if necessary, something you rarely see in the Langhe.

As serious as they are about farming and wine making the wines are all about fun and celebration. As traditionally Piemonte as anything out there but on the light hearted fun side of this very serious wine making region (Uhm...Barolo). Whether it's the white or red bubbly, each wine has the lifted aromatics and persistent minerality the region is famous for.

Poderi Cellario is a favorite around here. Their wines are testament to the exceptional terroir of the Langhe hills. Fausto and Cinzia Cellario are crafting some of the most uniquely delicious wines coming out of the Langhe, all the while preserving the traditions and customs of the ancient and storied wine region they call home.

Poderi Cellario Vino Bianco Frizzante Il Baffone 2020

The Baffone (means big mustache!) is a blend of nascetta (a rare native Piemontese variety with excellent skins for maceration) and moscato giallo vinified dry.

Skin contact lasted 5 days in stainless steel before being bottled with conserved passito must to induce secondary fermentation: Cellario makes a small amount of late harvest wine and he uses these dried grapes to kickstart the bottle fermentation. No sulfur added and no disgorgement.

This is one of the most fun bubbly wines out there. It has a lovely light orange hue and is charmingly murky with lovely floral notes. Salty pear and yellow fruit are wrapped around a core of electric acidity. Fresh, salty, lip smackingly delicious.

Poderi Cellario Vino Rosso Frizzante Il Barrusco 2020

The Barrusco (translates to something like 'rough and tumble') is a blend of Neretta (a super rare native Piemontese variety prized for its dark color and spicy tannins), plus the usual red suspects of the region - Barbera + Dolcetto.

Bone dry, with tart flavors of cranberry and raspberry this exuberant bubbly is truly a summer porch pounder. But with its friendly tannins, medium body and searing fat cutting acidity it's also perfect at mealtime. Pizza, salumi, cheese are all no brainers but homemade lasagna or a rich bolognese are perfect!