Cranberry Secco Review

For today’s Wine Wednesday presentation I give you the Franken-cuvée Cranberry Secco. With Thanksgiving and cranberry madness reaching a fever pitch, I was seduced by the idea of bubbly alcoholic cranberry juice. This is not as cranberry as I hoped; it’s more of a hint of cranberry placed into moderately drinkable Prossecco. This isn’t going to win any awards but it is good and festive. It’s not sweet either like most flavored sparklers. It’s tart, fizzy, and tangy. We paired it with some smoked chicken sausage with apple and some brussels sprouts with bacon and spicy dressing. It went really nicely with the food. If you are looking for something fun to serve that is bubbly and light in alcohol (8%) but not as sweet as a sparkling Lambrusco then this would be your prime candidate. It was $6 at Trader Joe’s and I will buy it again before the season is out. The wine itself is also a real pilgrim. An Italian wine made in Germany and imported to the USA via California.

If I was going to serve this wine at my own Thanksgiving feast, I’d make a signature cocktail with it as a greeting beverage. I’d keep a bottle or two for the table in reserve because this will hold real appeal to non wine drinkers. Cranberry Secco would also be a nice match for the sickeningly sweet pecan pie someone will bring to your house whether you want it or not. I’d also use it to take the monotony out of turkey sandwiches for the weekend. Turkey scrambles for Sunday brunch could also benefit from this mimosa substitute. Just make sure adults keep an eye on their glasses as this could easily be mistaken for cran-apple sparkling cider.

As this wine isn’t really a “fine wine” I’m hesitant to rate it. If you feel you need a ballpark figure I’d go with the mid 80’s. It’s good for what it is: easy, fun, festive, and unpretentious but tasty bubbles. Have you tried Cranberry Secco? If so let us know your thoughts in the comments below!