Aurora Sparkling Moscato NV

It’s a bold claim, but we think that Brazil is currently the coolest place on Earth. But it wasn’t the World Cup or the forthcoming Rio 2016 Olympics that have won us over. It isn’t even their sloths, monkeys, armadillos or peccaries (google the last one if you’re not familiar), although they’re great. We love a little samba, some feijoada and maybe a carnival or two, but even these aren’t the reason. We’ve fallen in love with Brazil because of this sweet sparkling Moscato. Why? Because it’s like drinking pure bottled summer. At first taste we had an epiphany that might change Oddbins forever because it inspired "The Listing"

The guys at the Aurora winery say that their Moscato is like Brazil in that it is a “bright, fresh and joyful creation.” They’re not wrong people.

In 1875, immigrants from Northern Italy landed in the Serra Gaúcha region of Southern Brazil and encountered a climate and landscape similar to their own native homeland. With the echoes of home, the native European culture and way of life were maintained and the ancient art of winemaking was soon resumed. Jump forward to Valentine’s Day 1931 and sixteen families of grape growers from the town of Bento Gonçalves joined forces to create the Cooperativa Vinícola Aurora. Their aim was simple: to give pleasure in the consumption of wine.

The vines are trained on pergolas, this means the vines form an overhead canopy. This has two bonuses, firstly it protects the grapes from frost and secondly as the grapes hang beneath the leaves, they are protected from the hot sun. Grapes are hand harvested, then fermented in stainless steel tank. Made in the same way as Prosecco, the secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks over a period of approximately 30 days.

The result is a soft and delicate sparkling wine with a delightful sweetness and a lower alcohol content. Pale gold in the glass it has aromas of white flowers and honey. On the palate there are sweet, grapey flavours alongside a good balance and a delicious, light refreshing quality. This is great with a picnic in the park, simply add sunshine. Alternatively, as you always need a backup in this country, it makes a great aperitif or is lovely matched with pâté, blue cheese, apple pie, cheesecake or fondue (chocolate or cheese).