Starlino Rosé Aperitivo

Appearance: Exactly the same pale salmon hue as some rosé wines. Aroma: Rose water, strawberry, grapefruit, and the faintest whisper of lavender. Flavor and Texture: The initial taste is sweet, with berries and citrus taking the lead. A bitter note combining grapefruit zest and cinchona quickly emerges to balance the palate. The texture is rich and coats the mouth. This aperitif, crafted by the same entity that produces Malfy gin, is derived from light-bodied Trebbiano (Ugni Blanc) grapes. The wine is blended with spirit and natural botanicals, with a flavor profile heavily favoring citrus, particularly grapefruit, underscored by berry notes. Wormwood is cited as the bittering agent, and I suspect it's a smaller variety. Quinine is also undeniably present. It's a very agreeable addition to the aperitivo category, and I could certainly envision purchasing it again. It possesses elegance and performs best in simple preparations where its character can shine. I would avoid mixing it with spirits or vermouth, opting instead for straightforward refreshing beverages where it is the primary flavor. The producers suggest serving it with tonic or in a spritz, and I concur that a spritz is the optimal method. My preference for sparkling wine is cava, which complements it wonderfully. This combination exhibits graceful flair and is more intriguing than the typical Aperol and prosecco pairing. "Good": 83/100 (3.5 stars)

Reminiscent of a Blanc vermouth. It's very rich and smooth, sweet like fruit punch and blackberries.