Astoria, Cuvée Honor Spumante Venezia Extra Dry, NV
Astoria, Cuvée Honor Spumante Venezia Extra Dry, NV
- Sparkling
- 75CL
- 11.5%
- Glera
Couldn't load pickup availability
Astoria's winemaking heritage in Veneto's vineyards is unrivalled and shows in this delicious Spumante. With fine pearls and elegant green apple and pear aromas, its fresh and extra dry style makes it a wonderful aperitif, as well as a must pair with all sorts of fish dishes and starters.
This spumante is designed for immediate enjoyment whilst the primary fruit flavours remain vibrant and the bubbles retain their liveliness. The fresh apple and pear character will be at its peak within the first two years of release.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale straw yellow with persistent fine bubbles forming an elegant mousse.
NoseFresh green apple and Conference pear dominate the aromatics, supported by subtle white flower undertones. A delicate mineral edge adds complexity without overwhelming the primary fruit expression. The bouquet remains clean and inviting, typical of quality Venetian spumante.
PalateExtra dry style delivers refreshing crispness with well-integrated bubbles providing textural interest. The apple and pear flavours carry through from nose to palate, enhanced by a subtle citrus zest that adds brightness. Balance between fruit sweetness and natural acidity creates an approachable yet sophisticated drinking experience.
FinishClean and refreshing with lingering fruit flavours and a gentle mineral aftertaste.
Overall impressionAn accomplished Venetian spumante that combines traditional character with modern winemaking precision.
Food Pairings
In Veneto, sparkling wines like this traditionally accompany cicchetti, the region's answer to Spanish tapas, featuring small plates of baccalà mantecato and sarde in saor. Local seafood from the Adriatic, particularly moleche (soft-shell crabs) and scampi, pair beautifully with the wine's crisp acidity. Venetians also enjoy spumante with risotto di pesce, where the wine's effervescence cuts through the creamy rice whilst complementing delicate seafood flavours. During aperitivo hour, it's served alongside tramezzini and other light fare in the city's historic bacari.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well chilled at 6-8°C in flute or tulip glasses to preserve the fine bubbles and concentrate the delicate aromatics. No decanting required for this fresh, youthful style. Open just before serving to maintain optimal effervescence and fruit expression.
Astoria's vineyards benefit from Veneto's temperate continental climate, where warm days and cool nights preserve the natural acidity essential for quality sparkling wine production. The calcareous clay soils provide excellent drainage whilst retaining sufficient moisture during the growing season. This terroir combination allows Glera grapes to develop their characteristic fresh apple and pear aromatics whilst maintaining the crisp mineral backbone that defines superior Venetian spumante.
Spumante Venezia DOC encompasses the broader Veneto region, allowing winemakers greater flexibility than the more restrictive Prosecco DOCG zones. The appellation permits traditional method production alongside tank fermentation, encouraging diversity in sparkling wine styles. Wines bearing this designation must demonstrate the fresh, food-friendly character that has made Venetian sparkling wines internationally recognised, whilst maintaining lower alcohol levels than their French counterparts.
FAQs
What makes this different from Prosecco?
This Spumante Venezia falls under a broader DOC that allows more production flexibility than Prosecco DOCG, though both use primarily Glera grapes and share similar fresh, fruity characteristics.
How sweet is 'Extra Dry' in sparkling wine terms?
Extra Dry contains 12-17 grams of residual sugar per litre, making it slightly sweeter than Brut but still crisp and refreshing, ideal for aperitifs and food pairing.
Should I age this wine?
No, this style is designed for immediate consumption. Drink within 2-3 years of release to enjoy the fresh fruit character and lively bubbles at their best.
What's the best way to store opened bottles?
Use a proper sparkling wine stopper and refrigerate. The wine will maintain its effervescence for 2-3 days, though it's best consumed on the day of opening.
Can this wine work with main courses?
Absolutely. The Extra Dry style and balanced acidity make it excellent with seafood dishes, light pasta preparations, and even delicate poultry dishes.
How does this compare to French Champagne?
This offers a more fruit-forward, approachable style with lower alcohol and price point, whilst Champagne typically shows greater complexity and aging potential from its traditional method production.
-
Free UK Delivery
Learn about deliveryGet free UK delivery when you spend £75 or more on duty paid wine
-
Save 30% on a host of quality wines
Our fine wines are sourced from our sister retailers, but offered at a substantial discount to their previous selling prices.