Flight of the Butterfly - A Wine Review

^{This post has been sponsored by Scagliola Sansi. All opinions expressed are my own. This message is intended for those 21+. Please enjoy responsibly.}

Today we're sampling the Vollo di Farfalle (flight of the butterfly) from Scagliola Sansì winery in Piedmont, Italy. The Vollo di Farfalle is a Moscato d'Asti, which is typically beloved for its balance of sweetness and acidity, fruity and floral aromatics, and gentle, creamy bubbles. A good Moscato d'Asti should be the essence of easy drinking.

Today, we'll be taking a brief tour of Italy's Piedmont region, as well as the winery itself, before sampling the wine's aromatics and flavor. We'll also be providing pairings and serving suggestions to ensure you get the most out of this bottle of bubbly.

Now, without further delay, let's get tasting.

Wine Overview

Quick Facts

Winery: This bubbly comes to us from the Scagliola Sansì winery, which was founded in 1936 by Camillo Scagliola, who is currently run and managed by the fourth and fifth generations of the family.
Grape Varietals: This wine is 100% Moscato Bianco grapes.
ABV: 5.5% alcohol by volume.
Price: As of this review, this wine costs about $10-20 USD.
Serving: I strongly suggest serving this bottle chilled.

Region - Piedmont, Italy

Piedmont is located in northern Italy, abutting the Alps. The region is characterized by rolling hills of moderate elevation, featuring a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers. During the growing season, the daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, and the nights are pleasantly cool, contributing to the development of aromatic compounds in the grapes. The diurnal temperature variation helps retain the grapes' natural acidity, a crucial factor in the refreshing and balanced nature of Asti DOCG wines.

Within this DOCG, the Scagliola Sansì winery sits atop the San Siro Hill, at an altitude of 320 to 400 meters (about 1050-1300 feet) above sea level. The estate itself is located at the intersection of the Monferrato and Langhe hills. The soils of the estate are primarily a mix of marl and sand.

Within the Asti DOCG, the Moscato Bianco grape variety takes center stage - encompassing well over ninety-nine percent of all wines produced therein. This aromatic white grape is known for its floral and fruity characteristics, making it a perfect choice for the production of sparkling wines.

Aromatic and Tasting Notes

On the Nose

The wine introduces itself with white peach aromas punctuated by a hint of lime. Deeper into the glass, there are notes of wild flowers, and just a hint of herbs, especially rosemary and sage.

On the Palate

The wine is thoroughly medium-sweet and very refreshing. There are persistent bubbles, which help to create a creamy mouthfeel that's never aggressive. In terms of flavor, the bouquet, especially the white peach and citrus, carries over quite nicely.

Finish

The finish is palate-cleansing and refreshing, with lingering fruit and floral notes, and doesn't overstay its welcome.

Wine Score

This bottle is intended as an affordable bubbly for casual gatherings, and for that purpose, I believe it's perfect. For the price point, this bottle is delicious. For those reasons, I'll rate this bubbly a respectable 91.

Food Pairings

Spicy Cuisine: Sweet and spicy contrast is what we're looking for in this pairing, and it works deliciously. We're looking for things like Thai green curry, spicy fried chicken wings, Pad Thai, or chicken tikka masala.
Savory Appetizers: Vegetable tempura or garlic shrimp would be two delicious appetizers to pair with this wine. You might also consider a spicy shrimp cocktail. Notice here that we're aiming either for a salty and sweet contrast or a sweet and spicy contrast.
Cheese and Charcuterie: Creamy cheeses like burrata, brie, or goat cheese are delicious pairings for today's bottle. Additionally, a decadent charcuterie board would also be perfect.

Who is this Wine For?

Those with a sweet tooth are the primary audience, especially those who find traditional bubblies to be too bitter or acidic. Those looking for 'lighter' options (in terms of texture and mouthfeel) will also find something to appreciate here, given the wine's low ABV. Also, those who are looking for affordable and festive bottles for casual entertaining will most definitely find something to love here, given that this wine's profile and price make it a great choice for casual gatherings.

And that's our review of Scagliola Sansì's Moscato d'Asti Vollo di Farfalle. If you enjoyed this review, or sampled the wine or any of its pairings, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!

Cheers!