NV Charles Bove Sparkling Rose, Touraine, Loire Valley, FranceThe firm of Charles Bove began life in the 19th century in Montrichard, in the Loire Valley. Its base of operations was, and is, an enormous rock quarry, abandoned after it had been quarried for building the Loire Chateaux (Chenonceau is just minutes away). This old quarry is composed of over 9 miles of underground cellars on three levels, with an all but steady temperature year round of 53 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity inside is ideal for making

They cut drains

The vineyards are in the heart of Valpolicella Classica

The perfect cool climate with warm days and strong maritime influence

for which they made some house wines from the local Nebbiolo (here called Chiavennasca) and reserve wines made from the famous villages of the secluded Valtellina: Sassella

This process allows the maintenance of the freshness and fruit notes

The soil is made up of clay and limestone on belemnita quadrata chalk

chaptalization

but not only in their briny minerality

Altocedro is focused on small production

human skills and technological innovation

soulful wines

It was he who first began leaving his wines sur lie (on their fine lees) through the winter