The 2008 Franciacorta Brut Rose offers a beautifully delicate bouquet and a delicately pale pink color to match. The wine offers a full range of aromas that include baked baguette, dried cranberry, lemon zest, blanched almond and pink grapefruit. The balanced acidity gives the wine a bright personality, but there’s enough structure on the close to drive the long finish. Drink: 2014-2020. Contadi Castaldi is one of the area’s most consistent producers of modern Franciacorta. Vittorio and Mariella Moretti founded the estate in the 1980s on the site of an abandoned brick factory. In fact, the underground cellars where the wines are now held once housed kilns for firing clay. Importer: Terra Moretti Trading USA; www.tmtrading-usa.com

This is a soft and sophisticated sparkling blend of Pinot Nero and Chardonnay (in a rose version) that opens with a delicate pink color and pristine aromas of toasted almond, stone fruit, cassis and white pepper. The mouthfeel is capped by a zesty, spicy feel. ——M.L.(12/31/2011)—— 90

This luminous and bright rose sparkler offers measured fruit aromas of berry, cranberry and pomegranate followed by more sophisticated aromas of toasted nuts and almonds. The wine is clean and fresh with piquant effervescence and a crisp close. ——M.L.(6/1/2010)—— 90

Redolent of cran-raspberry, peach, pink grapefruit and yeast, or fresh baked bread and butter. The acidity is fresh and crisp with medium to long persistency on the finish. Try is with finger food appetizers. ——M.L.(6/1/2006)—— 88

This is a terrific value wine from Italy's prestigious Franciacorta sparkling wine region. The NV Franciacorta Brut Rosé (made with 65% Chardonnay and 35% Pinot Nero) shows a pale pink color with copper and ruby highlights. The bouquet is refreshing and straightforward. It's not too complex really, but it offers enough intensity and finesse to keep your interest. The mouthfeel is characterized by fine and persistent bubbling. Some 113,000 bottles were made.