Tag: Prosecco

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Prosecco…Bubbles in Your Glass

Do you like Prosecco? It’s an easy drink, the bubbles give excitement to your glass, and it’s affordable. It makes a great spritz, pairing it with some Aperol.

But, what else do you know about it?

Did you know the Glera grape, which grew in the Prosecco region of Italy, was grown in Ancient Rome?

Have you ever looked at the label around the neck of the bottle? Did you see the letters DOC or DOCG? The DOCG is slightly higher quality…and I agree. The grapes grow on vines in limestone hillside. Everything is done by hand…and it’s a steep hill.

Did you realize most Prosecco is not made in the typical methode champenoise? It’s made in the charmaat method or tank method, where the fermented wine goes through its secondary fermentation in big steel tanks, not in the bottle. This means less contact with the yeast sediment, or lees.

Since aromatic grapes are used, the cleaner tank method allows those flavors to shine. More taste.

My favorite comes from the region of Valdobbiadene. It’s a great place to put on your list to visit.

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Champagnes, Cavas, Proseccos, and Sparkling Wines…Oh My

Italian Sparkling Wines

Moscato d’Asti

This is a sweet, sparkling wine from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Made with Moscato grapes in the Asti region, this is a white wine.

Brachetto d’Acqui

This one is made from the Brachetto grape near Acqui Terme. It is a rose wine.

While both of these can be too sweet for most people, good ones make a great aperitif or with dessert.

Lambrusco

This one is making a comeback. This sparkling red wine can be off dry. Pair it with Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano Reggiano. It comes from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

Prosecco

Made from the Glera grape in Italy in the Charmat method, Prosecco is a favorite bubbly of mine.

Because it is not aged “sur lie” as Champagne is, the flavors of Prosecco tend to be simpler and less complex. If you don’t want the sweeter version which comes to mind, look for the DOCG on the neck label.

This is not bottle fermented. Bubbles are light and frothy.