It’s rare to find a wine lover who hasn’t heard of Prosecco. Today, it’s the world’s most popular naturally sparkling wine, suitable for any season and every occasion. Beyond being enjoyed on its own, Prosecco is also a staple in bars for crafting refreshing summer spritzes and light cocktails.
Understanding Prosecco
Fundamentally, Prosecco is a geographic designation of origin, falling under the European Union’s PDO (Protected Designation Origin), which represents the highest level of classification. In Italy, you might encounter local labels like DOC (Denominazione de Origine Controlata) and DOCG (Denominazione de Origine Controlata e Garantita), with Prosecco production strictly limited to two regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia (only DOC) and Veneto (both DOC and DOCG). Friuli features rolling hills while Veneto is known for its steep slopes near the towns of Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, and Asolo.
Prosecco’s primary grape is Glera, which must comprise at least 85% of the blend. The remainder can include up to 100% Glera or other varieties as specified by law. Glera’s aromatic profile, characterized by apple, pear, citrus, quince, and white floral notes, is immensely popular for its approachable flavor, even among novice drinkers.
Frizzante and Spumante
The debate about how bubbles make their way into Prosecco can be ambiguous, so it’s essential to set the record straight. Both frizzante (lightly sparkling) and spumante (fully sparkling) styles owe their effervescence to nature—specifically, yeast, which consumes sugar to produce alcohol, CO2, and heat. Like most of the sparkling wines, Prosecco undergoes fermentation twice. The first turns grape must into wine, and the second, a secondary fermentation, occurs in a sealed tank to prevent CO2 from escaping, known as the tank method or Charmat method.
Natural Prosecco
When tradition meets modernity, you get Col Fondo or Sui Lieviti, a natural style of Prosecco akin to pét-nat, bottled during fermentation to create a naturally cloudy appearance. This style often features minimal residual sugar, typically less than one gram, appealing to those seeking alternative wine experiences.
Choosing Between Spumante and Frizzante
A common misconception is that frizzante Prosecco is merely carbonated. In reality, the designation between spumante and frizzante refers to the duration of secondary fermentation and the resulting pressure and effervescence level. Frizzante often uses a screw cap and has about 2 bars of pressure, while spumante requires a longer fermentation, achieving up to 5 bars of pressure and necessitates a traditional cork and cage to contain it.
Organic Practices
The designated Prosecco regions have embraced sustainable and organic viticulture, benefiting from the unique microclimate influenced by the Adriatic Sea and the cooling Alpine breezes. Organic vineyards are becoming more common, adhering to EU regulations that mandate lower levels of sulfites compared to conventional wines.
Quality of Prosecco
I’m often asked whether DOCG Prosecco is better than DOC. From a regulatory standpoint, it should be, as DOCG imposes stricter standards on cultivation and yields. However, the essence of quality in Prosecco, like most of the sparkling wines, lies in the diligent efforts of the vineyard and winemaker. You might find a DOC Prosecco that you prefer over a DOCG from another producer, which is one of the delights of wine exploration.
Which Prosecco is Best?
Many producers would argue that Cartizze is the pinnacle of Prosecco. This small area, covering just 108 hectares on a specially oriented slope, produces wines typically in the Dry category, notable for their significant residual sugar content that enhances a wide array of aromatic nuances directly linked to their origin.
In Closing
Prosecco could be considered the gateway to the world of sparkling wines for beginners. It’s enchanting, pleasing, and refreshing. Over time, it may hand you off to more esteemed sparkling wines like cava, Franciacorta, and champagne, but Prosecco remains a delightful option for its refreshing lightness, suitable for many occasions.
