Days That End in Y

Martini & Rossi has a new prosecco that uses a crown cap rather than the traditional cork. Crown caps are mostly used on beer bottles these days, so this is somewhat unexpected. However, there’s been a growing trend towards getting rid of corks due their inherent problems. I just didn’t really expect to see it on a sparkling wine. Then again, it’s not really a big deal with prosecco, which isn’t meant to be aged like vintage Champagne. And don’t worry, the cap won’t fly off and take out your eye as some students surmised. I simply yanked it off with a bottle opener as I normally would with a beer, and nothing came flying out.

Something interesting to note is this prosecco is frizzante rather than spumante. What’s the difference? Well, frizzante means semisparkling or “lightly bubbly”, so it’s not supposed to be as bubbly as a regular sparkling wine. There really isn’t all that much of a difference, though maybe I did burp a little less, which I’m sure the girlfriend appreciated. I actually do prefer drinks that are less gassy, as I find it uncomfortable to have a bunch of gas forcing its way down my throat. Plus, you can’t really belch at the sort of party where you’d be serving prosecco!

Anyway, the prosecco was light and dry and tasted lightly of apple to me. I think it’d make a great aperitif, and we decided to turn it into a Bellini for Sunday brunch using fresh white peach puree, which worked well, though you may need to add a touch of simple syrup. Then again, peaches aren’t exactly in season, so the ones we used weren’t all that great.

I actually prefer something drier, but my girlfriend said, “Oh! I could drink this!” And that is a huge endorsement from someone who doesn’t typically drink (or like) parkling wine. Also, for about $12/bottle, it’s not a bad price.

Just so you know, the bottle was provided free to me for review.

Photo courtesy of Martini & Rossi

I’d heard that Belgian authorities had ordered the destruction of hundreds of cases of sparkling wine which had used “Champagne” on the label but I hadn’t realized that there was a video (higher-resolution) of the destruction. Just check out the way the giant claw of death callously smashes those bottles.

In case you need some background music: Taps.

Via Time

I shamefully admit that I do like a good lolcat, and this one just happens to be topical.

moar funny pictures

In case you don’t feel like donating corks, then consider doing all sorts of other things with your leftover corks rather than just pitching them. Teramia suggests decorating your truck, making cheap art, constructing a lamp, using cork for plants, building tables out of cork, filling lamps with corks, building cork into your baseboards, using cork to create furniture, or making simple coasters.

It’s all really great stuff that’ll keep those landfills from filling up with cork and to get something extra from your wine or champagne!

Via Boing Boing