The Story
A sparkling red wine from Vermont, made from a grape you've probably never heard of, by a former restaurateur who plants hybrids because the classic varieties would die in the ground up there. If that sounds like a stunt, it isn't. Deirdre Heekin is the most important pioneer of serious Vermont wine, and this is one of her best arguments. Ci Confonde Rosso is a pétillant naturel from 100% Marquette — a cold-hardy descendant of Pinot Noir — grown on clay and limestone in the Vergennes vineyard, foot-crushed, fermented with wild yeast, bottled before fermentation finishes and released with no added sulfites. Heekin calls it the Champlain Valley's answer to Lambrusco: dark, berry-soaked and softly foaming, with enough acidity to keep it lively rather than sweet. Serve it cold and don't overthink it.
Description
A sparkling red wine from Vermont, made from a grape you've probably never heard of, by a former restaurateur who plants hybrids because the classic varieties would die in the ground up there. If that sounds like a stunt, it isn't. Deirdre Heekin is the most important pioneer of serious Vermont wine, and this is one of her best arguments. Ci Confonde Rosso is a pétillant naturel from 100% Marquette — a cold-hardy descendant of Pinot Noir — grown on clay and limestone in the Vergennes vineyard, foot-crushed, fermented with wild yeast, bottled before fermentation finishes and released with no added sulfites. Heekin calls it the Champlain Valley's answer to Lambrusco: dark, berry-soaked and softly foaming, with enough acidity to keep it lively rather than sweet. Serve it cold and don't overthink it.
