Radcliffe’s Prosecco (£6.99 radcliffeswines.co.uk)
Gentle, slightly sherbetty style, with flavours of ripe lemon, and apple foam – simple but quite tasty. B-
Nino Franco Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ‘Rustico’ Brut (£14.00-£15 Sommelier’s Choice, Oeno, Clifton Cellars, The Wine Library)
Much more serious fodder, richer but drier, with a minerally character akin to pumice stone and flavours of nuts, honey and crisp green apple. S(-)
Bisol Crede Valdobbiadene Brut 2010 (£15.71 Bibendum)
Share’s some of the pumice-like minerality, and there’s also that creamy honeyed side, but overall it’s a softer, rounder fleshier style, good but not quite as profound. B+
Nino Franco Valdobbiadene ‘Grave di Stecca’ Brut (£25.50-£28 Sommelier’s Choice, Oeno, Clifton Cellars, The Wine Library)
Serious subtle style – there’s plenty of fruit here, with candied peel and peach flavours and a touch of blossom, but just as prominent is (again) that note of pumice, along with an almost volcanic note. S+
Desiderio Jeio Valdobbiadene Brut NV (£12.00 www.slurp.co.uk, All About Wine, Bibendum)
A fuller, frothier style than the Crede, but still with a touch of taut minerality. Rich, fruity and friendly, with that ripe apple foam character and a peachy finish. B(+)
Nino Franco Valdobbiadene ‘Vigneto della Riva di San Floriano’ Brut (£18.00-£19.49 Sommelier’s Choice, Oeno, Clifton Cellars, The Wine Library)
The fleshiest and most forward of the 3 Nino Franco wines, with peach, pineapple and rosy red apple to the fore, but all the while there’s that minerally undercurrent, even a hint of aspirin. S(-)