This is not another Prosecco Rosé

Colesel “Brosa” is an expressive Italian sparkling rosé made from 100% Pavana, a rare native red grape from the province of Belluno in northern Veneto.

While most sparkling wines from this part of Italy are made with the familiar Glera grape, the Bortolin family chose to revive Pavana also known locally as Marzemina Nera di Feltre and give this little known variety its own identity.

The grapes are grown in the cooler hills of the Belluno area before being taken to Valdobbiadene, where Colesel transforms them into an elegant sparkling rosé using the Italian, or Martinotti, method.

What does “Brosa” mean?

In the local dialect, Brosa refers to brina: the delicate frost that covers the berries like an elegant dress when the first cold weather arrives.

For the Bortolin family, this first frost traditionally signals that harvest time is approaching. The name captures the wine perfectly delicate and beautiful on the surface, but with a distinctive sense of place underneath.

The Colesel family story

The story of Colesel began in 1949 in the hills of Cartizze, at the heart of Valdobbiadene.

Today, Siro Bortolin and his sons, Vlady and Antonio, continue the family tradition. Winemaker Vlady Bortolin combines generations of rural knowledge with modern sparkling-wine technology, describing his philosophy as “working with white gloves”treating every grape with precision, delicacy and respect.

The family’s vineyards extend across the steep hills surrounding Valdobbiadene, reaching elevations of more than 450 metres. The name Colesel comes from the local word for “little hill” and honours the family’s historic vineyard in Cartizze. 

How is it made?

After harvest, the Pavana grapes undergo approximately 12 hours of cold maceration on their skins. This short contact extracts the wine’s vibrant rosé colour and delicate red-fruit character without creating excessive tannin.

The grapes are then gently pressed, and the base wine ferments at a controlled temperature in stainless steel. A second fermentation takes place in a pressurised tank using the traditional Italian Martinotti or Charmat method.

This method preserves Pavana’s freshness, aromatic fruit and floral character while creating a fine, persistent stream of bubbles and a beautifully creamy mousse.

What does it taste like?

Bright rose pink with subtle violet reflections, Brosa has fine, lively bubbles and a soft, persistent mousse.

The bouquet is filled with wild raspberry, redcurrant, blackberry and blueberry, followed by hints of juicy cherry, elderberry, apricot and blood orange.

The palate is dry, fresh and fruit-driven, with crisp acidity balanced by a gentle creaminess. Bright red berries carry through to a clean, elegant and persistent finish.

With approximately 10 grams per litre of residual sugar, it sits within the Brut category: dry and refreshing, but not aggressively austere.

Why is this sparkling rosé different?

This is not a mass produced pink Prosecco or a blend of Glera and Pinot Noir.

It is made entirely from Pavana, a rare indigenous grape deeply connected to the mountainous Belluno area. Colesel’s short skin maceration captures its vivid colour and wild-berry flavours, while the Italian sparkling method preserves its freshness and energy.

The result is distinctive yet wonderfully easy to enjoy a sparkling rosé with authentic Italian provenance, an unusual grape variety and more personality than you might expect.

Brosa offers all the pleasure of great Italian sparkling wine: fine bubbles, freshness and effortless drinkability. But behind that pleasure is something much more interesting a rare native grape, a family winery founded in 1949 and a winemaker determined to preserve the identity of his region.

It is vibrant, elegant and incredibly food-friendly the perfect bottle for aperitivo, celebrations or simply making an ordinary evening feel a little more Italian.