Sometimes, the best answer to the vagaries of life is cheap fizz. Preferably one you don’t feel bad about drinking out of a tumbler or mug. Paired with something decidedly non-pretentious. Cheese toasties, for example, as long as they aren’t posh ones.
Of late, Solealto has been my go-to fizz for such circumstances. It’s close to prosecco, but not from the actual region, and I can’t find anything more specific than ‘white grapes.’ So I can’t say it’s the same grapes as prosecco. But most people probably wouldn’t know the difference. Anyway, I’ve never given the Solealto a proper review until now. So read on.
In the glass
Pale (rather pale, actually) lemon. Fine bubbles. In other words, pretty much looks like you expect fizz to look.
The nose
Nope.
The palate
Fizzy, dry. Medium acidity. Lemon, grapefruit, stone fruit, maybe some melon. Decent finish.
The main thing about this fizz is that, even with no discernible nose, and not expecting much, there’s multiple flavours on the palate. I guess I was expecting it to be more one-dimensional. It wasn’t. It’s not a deep, complex fine, but it also isn’t a wine I had to think ‘what am I tasting here?’ The flavours just kept suggesting themselves.
There’s a sourness to it. Almost, but not quite the sort of grapefruit sourness that I don’t like. Perhaps it is pomelo I’m tasting. But I wouldn’t know, never having had a pomelo to my knowledge. Despite not quite knowing how to categorise this taste, I manage not to lose too much sleep pondering the issue.
In my not so humble opinion, definitely likes food. Cheese toasties. Mac-and-cheese. Spaetzle with a blue cheese sauce. Hang on… I think I’m starting to notice a pattern here.
Rating
It’s wine on the visuals, Yummy overall. Don’t go in expecting a fine champagne or crémant, and you won’t be disappointed. It wouldn’t be my first choice for a celebratory fizz. But if you just want a decent fizz to go with a not-fancy dinner, this will do the job. (Also pairs fairly nicely with popcorn.)
Sustainability
Unknown, and probably not.
The technical info
11% ABV; White Blend; £9.95 from Cambridge Wine Merchants.