Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Brut 2024

Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Brut 2024 is a top-tier expression of Prosecco, sourced from the prestigious Cartizze hill in Valdobbiadene—often considered the “Grand Cru” of the region. Made from 100% Glera, this sparkling wine combines fine, persistent bubbles with striking elegance and purity. It’s a refined choice for those who want to explore Prosecco at its most luxurious and terroir-driven. Cartizze is a tiny sub-zone within Valdobbiadene, famed for its steep slopes, complex soils and exceptional exposure, which together yield grapes of remarkable concentration and finesse. Ruggeri, one of the benchmark houses in the area, has long been associated with quality-focused production, making this bottling a quintessential example of high-end Prosecco Superiore.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Brut 2024 shows a bright, pale straw-yellow hue with subtle greenish reflections and a very fine, persistent perlage. The mousse is creamy yet delicate, forming a soft, lasting crown at the rim. On the nose, it offers an intensely aromatic profile: ripe pear, golden apple and white peach are layered with floral notes of acacia blossom and wisteria. Hints of citrus zest, fresh almond and a touch of pastry or brioche add complexity without ever becoming heavy. The palate is beautifully balanced and precise—dry in style (Brut) but with the natural fruit richness and texture that Cartizze is known for. You can expect juicy stone fruit, crisp green apple and citrus, supported by vibrant acidity and a silken, almost creamy mouthfeel. The finish is long, clean and mineral, with a delicate hint of candied citrus and almond. Enjoyed young, the 2024 vintage will show its most vibrant and aromatic side over the next 2–3 years. With short-term cellaring, it can gain a little more complexity and harmony, but this is very much a wine designed to be appreciated for its freshness, finesse and energy.

Production
This Cartizze Brut comes from the steep, sun‑drenched slopes of the Cartizze hill in Valdobbiadene, in the heart of Veneto. The terroir here is a mosaic of ancient morainic and rocky soils, with excellent drainage and marked day‑night temperature shifts that help preserve acidity and build aromatic intensity in the Glera grapes. The vineyards are largely hillside plots, often worked by hand due to the incline, ensuring careful selection of bunches at harvest. Grapes are typically picked in the cool hours to protect their delicate aromatics. In the cellar, Ruggeri employs gentle pressing of whole or carefully destemmed clusters, followed by cold settling of the must. The base wine is then fermented at controlled, cool temperatures in stainless steel to capture purity and freshness. The secondary fermentation (prise de mousse) is carried out using the Charmat (Martinotti) method in pressure tanks, with particular attention to a slow, controlled re-fermentation and a suitable period on fine lees to develop texture and finesse in the bubbles, while retaining the bright, floral character of Glera. The result is a Brut style that emphasizes elegance, precision and a finely integrated perlage.

Food & Serving
Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze Brut 2024 is a versatile sparkling wine that shines both as an aperitif and at the table. It pairs beautifully with delicate starters such as crudo, shrimp tartare, sushi, fresh oysters and lightly fried seafood. It also complements prosciutto crudo, mild soft cheeses, vegetable tempura, and classic Venetian cicchetti. The gentle fruitiness and refined mousse make it an excellent match for light pasta dishes with seafood, simple risotti, and even subtly spiced Asian cuisine. Serve well-chilled, ideally at 6–8°C (43–46°F), in a tulip-shaped sparkling wine glass to focus the aromas. Decanting is not recommended; instead, open just before serving to enjoy its full aromatic freshness and lively effervescence.

Producer
Founded in 1950 in Valdobbiadene, Ruggeri is one of the historic and most respected producers of Prosecco Superiore in the Veneto region. The winery has long-standing relationships with growers on the best slopes of Valdobbiadene, including the famed Cartizze hill, and has played an important role in elevating Prosecco from a simple local bubbly to a world-class sparkling wine. Ruggeri is known for its meticulous vineyard selection, focus on hillside terroirs and careful work in the cellar to craft wines that are both approachable and remarkably refined. Over the years, the estate has earned a strong reputation among critics and consumers alike, with numerous high scores and awards for its Valdobbiadene and Cartizze bottlings. Today, Ruggeri stands as a benchmark producer in the Prosecco Superiore DOCG, combining tradition, craftsmanship and a clear sense of place in every bottle.