Wine Spotlight: Everything you need to know about Prosecco

It’s about time I get to talking about one of my go-to wines. I mean, don’t get me wrong, many wines are my go-to wines. But when it comes to sparkling wine, my wine of choice is Prosecco. I mean I’d love to have the budget to sip on Champagne all day (wouldn’t we all), but sadly I haven’t won the lottery yet. I’m lucky that I have found such a great alternative in this Italian variety. So I decided it was about time I wrote an article with everything you need to know about Prosecco. That way you can enjoy it too!

Prosecco is currently in the midst of a bit of a scandal as the Italian Government tries to take control over what wines can be called Prosecco and what cannot. With the rise of other regions in the world producing delicious Prosecco (Australia included), Italy wants to bring this wine back home just like they’ve done in Champagne. This hasn’t happened yet, so until then we can continue enjoying Prosecco from abroad and from our incredible producers in Australia.

Regardless, Prosecco is there to be enjoyed! So let’s dive into everything you need to know about Prosecco.

Spotlight on Prosecco

Prosecco is often said to be the Italian counterpart of Champagne but is far more affordable. This sometimes gives it a bit of a stigma as cheap and nasty wine, but in reality, there are some incredible Proseccos that bust this myth!

The reason that Prosecco has a low price point than Champagne is mainly to do with the production method (and the marketing that goes into making Champagne a luxury drink). Prosecco is fermented in a tank using the Charmat method, rather than in bottles, and as a result, it is far more affordable and quick to make. This means that you can get a great bottle for around $20!

Even though it is cheaper than Champagne, does this make Champagne better? Not necessarily. It just makes Prosecco and Champagne very different – from their cost, their flavour and their ability to age. So really, rather than being about one being better than the other, it should instead be about what you enjoy more. Proseccos are usually fresh, fruity and vibrant and meant for being enjoyed now or within two years of purchase (unless you’ve got the high-quality stuff which can age up to seven years).

Origins

Prosecco is made in the Veneto region of Italy around Treviso. This is North of Venice. The first known mention of Prosecco is from 1593 where a visiting Englishman Fynes Moryson spoke about Prosecho in his notes as the most famous wine in Italy. Today, the Prosecco region has expanded to meet global demand, but still originates in the Treviso region.

Prosecco is made using the Glera grape, but in the past, it was also called Prosecco. Glera has been growing in the northern Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli for hundreds of years. However, in 2009 many other New World planting had popped up over Italy, Europe and the world (the King Valley in Australia included). This led the Italian authorities to seek legal protection of the name “Prosecco” by changing the variety to just Glera. As a result, the Conegliano Valdobbiadene’s appellation became Italy’s 44th DOCG (you can read more about what this means here).

What we have today is a bit of a legal battle on our hands. In Italy, Prosecco can only be wine made in three designated appellations with at least 85% Glera used in production. However, there is nothing stopping the rest of the world from using the name Prosecco for their bottles. This is why you’ll often see Australian Prosecco from the King Valley and other regions.

Although the Glera grape must account for at least 85% of Prosecco, there are many other grapes used. These include Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga and international grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio are added.

Flavour profile

Prosecco is the sparkling of choice for so many people for many reasons, however, a lot of it comes down to taste. Prosecco is light-bodied, vibrant and crisp. It is refreshing and highly aromatic with medium to high levels of acidity.

The taste of Prosecco is quite different from Champagne, so really it depends on personal preference. In general, Prosecco has a fresh and vibrant taste with a dry finish. Depending on whether you get a Brut, Extra-Dry or Dry, you’ll get a different flavour due to the residual sugar. So if you want something dry, look out for the Brut Prosecco.

The flavour is impacted largely by the method of production. As Prosecco is produced using the tank method, there is less contact with yeast during the second fermentation. This means the bubbles are lighter, frothy and spritzy – making them the perfect base for Aperol Spritz (am I right?).

Because of the production method, Prosecco is more about the fruit flavour profile of the Glera grape than flavours produced through winemaking. The Glera grape produces wine with pear, apple, peach and honeydew melon. You’ll also get some floral and honeysuckle aromas. Better quality Proseccos will also be creamier with vanilla and hazelnut notes as well as tropical fruit.

Where you’ll find it

Luckily for us wine drinkers Prosecco has become widely popular because of its taste and price point. This means you can find it at most bottle stores. It is hard to walk into a bottle store that doesn’t stock at least one bottle of this delicious sparkling, whether it is from Italy or elsewhere.

This demand for Prosecco has also prompted many Australian producers to plant the Glera grape. Should the Italians win their legal battle, this could really impact the producers in the King Valley who would need to start promoting their Sparkling Wine as lesser known “Glera”. Lucky for us we know what to look for should this happen!

What to look for

When it comes to everything you need to know about Prosecco, knowing what to look for is critical. There is a danger when you’re buying Prosecco that you might end up buying a Prosecco that is mass-produced and a bit flat in its delivery. With such low price points, it can be hard to distinguish quality. That’s where I can help!

When you’re looking at buying Prosecco, you need to start with what you are after. Do you want an Italian Prosecco, or are you ok with an Australian or other region Prosecco? This really defines what you should look for.

If you want Italian Prosecco

If you are in the market for the authentic Prosecco experience, my golden rule is to look for the DOC or better yet DOCG label. Wines with this label on them are the creme de la creme of the Prosecco out there, and should always be the ones you reach for. The wines with the DOC label are from the broader region of Prosecco, but if you are after the three protected appellations, you’ll need to seek out at DOCG.

The highest quality Prosecco comes from Treviso between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene on the “La Strada di Prosecco” (anyone else booking a plane ticket to the Italian Prosecco road ASAP?). Unlike with Champagne, these Proseccos don’t demand too high a price point. At around $30 you can pick up great Prosecco’s at a steal! The main appellations to look out for are the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG and Colli Asolani DOCG.

However, most Prosecco that comes from Italy is delicious, as long as you make sure you check your labels! Don’t opt for the cheapest bottle you can find, instead of looking for the region and appellations on the bottle. Then you’ll know you’re in for a good time!

If you want Australian Prosecco

If you are interested in trying Australian Prosecco, the market is a lot wider. The price points are a little higher, but the wines have been produced closer to home. You can truly get some cracking Prosecco from Australia now that I think rivals some of the Italian wines.

My suggestion? Be a little biased and keep an eye out for the King Valley. This is famous for being the Prosecco area of Australia, and the wines that are produced here are absolutely delicious. Whilst there are other producers of Prosecco, if you are new to Prosecco this would be where I would start.

Really it’s about preference

When it comes down to it, regardless of the region, it is about the taste. You should try a few different ones and see what you prefer. Being an aromatic wine, it gives off a lot of flavours when you first smell it, and even more when you taste it. Look out for the different sweetness levels, and try a few until you find something to your taste. Everyone will be different, so what you love another may not. There’s really no right or wrong!

What to pair it with

The best thing to pair Prosecco with is a Summer afternoon with friends, watching the sun go down. I find myself reaching for Prosecco in these moments as it makes for the perfect afternoon. The best part is that with the price point you don’t need a truly special occasion to open it. Just crack open a bottle when you feel like it, no matter what you’re doing! It’s guaranteed to lift spirits and make life more enjoyable.

If you are pairing it with food, the best thing for it is a charcuterie. Think cured meats, fruit and cheese. Do as the Italians do and get yourself a delicious platter of different meats and cheeses and enjoy!

If you are looking to pair it with dinner, this is an option too! Sweeter Prosecco goes well with Thai curries and noodle dishes, or even sushi.

Prosecco is also great with cocktails. My drink of choice is the Aperol Spritz which goes down far too easy on a Summer afternoon. But there are plenty of other spritz cocktails you can try such as Bellinis. The best thing is that Prosecco goes with it all! That and these cocktails really lend themselves to a cheeky brunch drink.

The Cheeky Vino picks

I’ve reviewed many Proseccos on the blog because I drink them so much, but there are so many I’m yet to pop on the blog. Some of my favourites that I’ve written about:

• Ciao Bella Prosecco DOC – Italy
• Primo Estate Primo Secco – Australia
• Dal Zotto Pucino Prosecco – Australia
• Tenuta Ca’bolani Prosecco – Italy

And other honourable mentions:

• Pizzini Prosecco – Australia
• Santa Margherita Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene – Italy (DOCG)

The final word on Prosecco

So there you have it. Everything you need to know about Prosecco and more! I hope this article has helped clear up a few things about this great drink. Although it is really cheap, this sparkling wine is absolutely delicious. Perfect for any occasion, you don’t need an excuse to pop open a bottle of Prosecco!

Hopefully, this article will help you to understand a little more about Prosecco so you can buy with confidence. At such good price points, it can be hard to know if you are buying the best Prosecco. But by checking the label and knowing what to look for when you do, you’ll be able to pick up the best Prosecco to enjoy yourself! Or just try a few and see what you prefer!