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Not to boast, but the red Marzemino grape is named in an eighteenth-century opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Let that sink in for a moment…

That’s right, in comparison to well-known bottles that remain nameless, Mozart’s mention is a far more esteemed recognition than being referenced in the angst-filled lyrics of Taylor Swift or having Drake rap a few notable lines about you.

Returning to the realm of timeless classical music, the opera Don Giovanni debuted in 1787 to wide acclaim. It’s based on a Spanish libertine named Don Juan, who travels across Europe seducing women and eliminating any man who impedes him.

He’s essentially a man devoid of ethics who meets his end at a dinner party where he descends into the inferno. However, before he’s reduced to ashes, he requests a glass of red wine by exclaiming, ‘Versa il vino! Eccellente Marzemino!’, which translates to, ‘pour the wine, the excellent Marzemino!’

Ok, so Mozart clearly had a death-row wine choice for poor old Don Giovanni, but why Marzemino and what exactly is it?

And how do you take it to another level in the warmer months when drinking red wine isn’t exactly the done thing? You chill it!

First things first – Marzemino is a red grape from the northern part of Italy, the Trentino-Alto Adige region to be precise. It used to be a key ingredient in the famous Colli Conegliano Refrontolo wines, made in the ‘Passito’ style in which the grapes are dried out in the winery to bring out their raisiny sweetness.

Nowadays, Marzemino is its own headline act and produces light, dry and juicy summery reds.

Marzemino wines carry the enticing aroma of herbal and dry notes, combined with the soft and juicy flavours of raspberry and sour cherry. These traits make them quite similar to well-known and beloved red wines like Beaujolais, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir.

Pleasingly, these red wines, including Marzemino, taste just as delightful when served chilled.

It’s not an everyday occurrence that we encounter the Marzemino grape. That’s why it’s quite fortunate that Sainsbury’s offers an exquisite Taste the Difference bottle for a modest amount of under £10. This makes it possible for us to sample this varietal without straining our wallet.

What specifically qualifies this grape as an excellent choice for chilling? Essentially, it’s the grape’s characteristics: it’s soft and fruity, possesses minimal tannins, and features high acidity. This makes the grape incredibly refreshing, especially when it is served chilled on a hot day from an ice bucket.

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A bottle of Marzemino happens to be perfect for a prevalent speed-chilling trick. This method is fairly well-known among sommeliers and is often summed up as a salted ice bath.

If you enjoy indulging in the luxuries of life, Metro’s Drinks Club is a place reserved for you.

Plunge into the world of Metro Drinks Club, represented by industry professional Rob Buckhaven. It is a space for readers to stimulate their palate with the latest developments in the beverages sphere. Whether it’s about uncovering the trend of Indian Gin or familiarizing readers with pocket-friendly Cremant that is outdoing some haute French Champagnes, this platform is a refuge for celebration-loving individuals.

Remain ahead of the game, as Rob handpicks the most trendy wines and spirits; engaging with specialists and mixologists while delving into the most recent mixtures, identifying the finest alcohol-free alternatives for those who wish to restrain, discovering optimum food combinations for your beverages, and tackling the latest TikTok topics to simplify the beverage milieu.

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