Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rose 2018

Note that, despite the Sofia branding, this is not a sparkling wine but a still rose, made from syrah and pinot noir. It’s a very fragrant and initially floral rose, its slightly salty quality cutting through the modest fruit profile, which otherwise sticks close the usual elements of red berries and marshmallow fluff. A squeeze of orange on the back end adds some nuance.

The iconic Sofia sparkler (wrapped in plastic, natch) really pushes the boundaries of the definition of “brut,” with this almost candy-coated offering that melds strawberries with notes of orange blossoms to create a bubbly offering that’s best served after dinner, not before it.