What is Prosecco?
Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine which became fashionable all around the world in the last decade. Prosecco is perfect as an aperitif or for a quick toast, but it is an amazing fizzy wine to enjoy with food as well. Creamy, floral and fruity bubbles are a fantastic match for appetizers, snacks, seafood, risotto & pasta and sweet treats as well. Mineral, persistent bubbles are very refreshing and also go perfectly with heavier dishes like Sunday roasts or burgers.
Prosecco is traditionally enjoyed on its own, however, there are many Prosecco-based cocktails growing in popularity. Buck’s Fizz, Spritz Aperol or Pornstar Martini are only the most popular.
SPUMANTE OR FRIZZANTE?
Prosecco can be Spumante or Frizzante based on grade of perlage. Prosecco Spumante has fine and persistent perlage whereas bubbles from Prosecco Frizzante disappear faster.
PROSECCO AND SUGAR CONTENT
Prosecco Spumante can be Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Dry classified according to their residual sugar content. Prosecco Dry is the sweetest kind of Prosecco, so if you prefer dry wines, go for Prosecco Extra Brut or Prosecco Brut.
Extra Brut - 0 - 6 g/l
Brut - 0 - 12 g/l
Extra Dry - 12 - 17 g/l
Dry - 17 - 32 g/l
LOCATION
Prosecco is sparkling wine produced in the northern part of Italy, in a beautiful location between picturesque Venice and the majestic Dolomites. The official Prosecco regions, Veneto and Friuli, enjoy the perfect climate conditions to grow the Glera grape, the base for Prosecco. The more hilly the vineyards are, the better Prosecco is.
Prosecco can have different characteristics depending on the area of origin of the grapes. In the UK Prosecco DOC is widely available, which is sparkling wine from an extended production area developed only in the past few decades. The Prosecco DOC area produces different floral and fruity notes with less intensity and persistence compared to traditional Prosecco DOCG. Prosecco DOCG is the best-known type of Prosecco in Italy, Italy is also the biggest consumer of Prosecco DOCG. The reason is simple, Italians know how to enjoy life, the finer things, and they love tradition. We are here to introduce you to Prosecco DOCG, borrow a little goodness from the Italians and bring it to your table. Let's drink THE PROSECCO, not just a prosecco.
PROSECCO DOCG
DOCG Prosecco is Prosecco from the Valdobbiadene and Conegliano areas that acquired Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin (DOCG). Prosecco originating exclusively from the hills between the towns of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. The grape variety Glera (the base for Prosecco) finds the ideal characteristics here to best express itself: the winters are long, but not too cold, while the summers are hot, but not sweltering. Prosecco must contain a minimum of 85% of Glera grapes and can be blended with maximum 15% of other grapes from different microzones in the area. Each winery creates blends (cuvées) that act as ambassadors of their own winemaking philosophy.
PROSECCO DOCG RIVE
The term "Rive" refers to the steep slopes of the hills that are characteristic of the zone. This category highlights the diverse expressions of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Rive wines come from the most demanding, best-quality vineyards with different and distinct combinations of soil, exposure and microclimate. To maintain the quality and respect the natural environment, there are some very strict regulations in place – only hand picking of grapes is allowed, and vineyard yields are limited to 13 tons of grapes per hectare.
PROSECCO DOCG CARTIZZE
The highest quality Prosecco is from Cartizze, the steepest slopes of Valdobbiadene region. Again there is only handpicking and vineyard yields are limited to 12 tons of grapes per hectare. The perfect combination of a mild microclimate and ancient soils, composed of moraine, sandstone and clay, gives these wines unique characteristics.
PROSECCO DOC
Prosecco DOC is basic sparkling wine from an extended area developed only in past few decades. The Prosecco DOC area produces different floral and fruity notes with less intensity and persistence compared to traditional Prosecco DOCG.
PROSECCO ROSÉ DOC
Denomination Prosecco DOC has been extended and since 2020 there is now also a pink option - Prosecco Rosè. Prosecco Rosè must consist of at least 85% Glera as any DOC Prosecco and 15% of Pinot Nero. Prosecco Rosè is characterised by light pink colour, fine and persistent bubbles and fresh and fruity taste. Prosecco Rosè is usually sweeter than traditional Prosecco.