This is the wine package for those who like to move beyond the most obvious sparkling wines and instead discover bottles with more personality, more sense of origin and a greater element of surprise. Unexpected Bubbles brings together three wines that show just how exciting sparkling wine can be outside the usual references: a rosé sparkler made from negroamaro in Salento, an unfiltered prosecco sui lieviti from Valdobbiadene and a riesling sekt from the Mittelrhein with long lees ageing. This is a package full of freshness, character and clearly individual expressions – for those who want to serve bubbles that spark curiosity right away.
Why these wines were selected
These wines were selected because together they show three very different paths to sparkling quality. Schola Sarmenti Collezione 24 represents the sun-ripened, rosé-coloured and more gastronomic side, made with classic bottle fermentation from negroamaro. Althea Prosecco Superiore Brut Nature Sui Lieviti brings a more origin-driven and rustic expression, where the secondary fermentation takes place in bottle and the wine remains on the lees without disgorgement. Ratzenberger Bacharacher Riesling Sekt Brut gives the package its coolest and most mineral profile, with the precision of riesling and almost four years on the lees. Together, they create a package that feels unexpected, thoughtful and genuinely fun to open.
Schola Sarmenti – Collezione 24 Negroamaro Brut
How it is produced:
This wine is made from 100 percent negroamaro from older vines in Salento. The grapes are harvested early to preserve freshness and acidity, and the juice spends only a few hours on the skins to achieve its soft copper-pink colour and the right aromatic expression. It is then made according to the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in bottle, building both structure and a fine, harmonious mousse.
How it tastes:
The style is elegant and more mature than many simpler sparkling rosés. The nose and palate move through red berries, citrus zest and discreet floral notes, followed by more developed tones of bread crust, almond and light nuttiness. The bubbles are fine and even, and the overall impression feels both fresh and generous at the same time.
What it pairs with:
This is a highly versatile food wine that works particularly well with shellfish, prawns, grilled fish, tuna and sushi, but also with charcuterie, prosciutto, parmesan and fresh small dishes with citrus or herbs.
Althea Prosecco Superiore – Brut Nature Sui Lieviti
How it is produced:
Althea’s Sui Lieviti is made from 100 percent glera from the eastern hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. The grapes are hand-picked from the second half of September, and the secondary fermentation takes place in bottle. The wine is then aged on the lees without disgorgement, which is the very essence of the sui lieviti style. It has 0 g/l residual sugar and can be served either slightly cloudy, with the lees stirred up, or gently decanted for a clearer expression.
How it tastes:
This is a prosecco with more character and less polished fruit than the more common style. The nose is elegant and complex with clear notes of bread crust, while the palate is very dry, fresh and persistent, with a light bitter note on the finish that adds extra energy and makes it highly food-friendly.
What it pairs with:
It works beautifully as an aperitif, but even better with aged cheeses, salami and other cured meats. It is also excellent with fried fish or vegetable tempura, where the wine’s dry style and fresh acidity keep the pairing light and clean.
Ratzenberger Bacharacher Riesling Sekt Brut
How it is produced:
Ratzenberger’s sekt is made from riesling grapes from Kloster Fürstental just south of Bacharach, with the Rhine close by. The site has slate soils with some clay, which according to the producer gives the riesling wines a creamier character. The wine then spends almost four years on the lees before disgorgement, significantly longer than the minimum requirement, building both complexity and a fine mousse.
How it tastes:
This is the coolest and most precise sparkling wine in the package. The nose and palate offer apple, white flowers and clear lees notes, but with a fresh, riesling-like tension and a mineral feel that gives the wine both lightness and depth. It is a sparkling wine with energy, elegance and a more terroir-driven expression than many more standardised sparkling styles.
What it pairs with:
This is a strong choice both as an aperitif and with food, especially when you want bubbles with high freshness and a clear sense of structure. It pairs beautifully with shellfish, fish and lighter dishes, but also whenever you simply want to serve something more unexpected and wine-driven in the glass. As the producer itself emphasises, their sekt is made for high quality and to express the individuality of the site.
