At the risk of repeating myself, there’s a preconception among wine drinkers that Prosecco is the cheaper option within the Sparkling Wine world family.
Somehow, over the years, it’s become associated with the kind of cheap and cheerful bubbles you might find as a replacement for Champagne when people want to spend less when organising an elegant reception (the number of times I have been to a gala in the UK where it stated on the invitation that it will be a Champagne reception and once there, I realised that they were serving Prosecco).
Don't get me wrong, both are great but you cannot call Champagne 'Prosecco' or vice versa.
More importantly, most people, when getting Prosecco, do not realise that similarly to Champagne, some are of basic quality whereas others are absolutely excellent with complexion and depth to it.
Myself, I have always been a Champagne girl and I am fussy, especially when it comes to bubbles - so I decided to give Prosecco my best go and put my palate to the test.
I can tell you now, I was wonderfully surprised.
In what way might you ask? Well let's just say that next Christmas, if there is a good bottle of Prosecco instead of Champagne, I would still be happy.
And that means a lot from me, someone who started falling in love with wine when dipping my dummy in Champagne glasses as a little girl.
Anyway, recently, I had the chance to taste twelve of what I’m assured are some of the best high-end Proseccos available to the UK market.
At its best, Prosecco can be creamy yet crisp, an elegant sparkling wine that’s perfect as a refreshing aperitif or as an accompaniment to seafood or cheese
(or even breakfast if that’s your thing) - I do love a bubbly breakfast...
How do you know if the Prosecco is a high quality one or not?
The trick, is to make sure that the Prosecco you’re drinking is marked as DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Contrallata e Garantita) which will always be featured on a label, on the neck of the bottle.
Small Warning
This is separate from Prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Contrallata) which is produced from vines grown on low-lying plains in a wide area of north-eastern Italy that encompasses two regionsand nine provinces.
In contrast, Prosecco DOCG is grown in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, an area made up of just 15 communes in the Treviso province of Veneto. It’s a hilly terrain (the steep banks of which are known as “rive”) with a long history of winemaking and is where Italy’s first School of Winemaking was established in 1876.
Grapes here (typically Glera) tend to be harvested by hand on small, family-run vineyards and then sold to a wine producer who makes and bottles the wine.
As well as indicating a region, the DOCG label is a mark of quality, meaning that the production of the wine has been strictly monitored and controlled at every stage, from planting to production.
The result? The purest, silkiest, most authentic prosecco to delight your tastebuds.
Without further ado, here are the results from my 12 Prosecco labels picked by Sarah Abbot from the Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore.
Bortolomiol “Grande Cuvee del Fondatore” Motus Vitae Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG
A combination of two vintages, Brut Nature and Millesimato 2017, this award-winning Grand Cuvee continues in the legacy of the experimental sparkling winemaker Giuliano Bortolomiol. A dry, vibrant wine with a flowery bouquet and a powerful fruity flavour.
Soligo “Solicum” Rive di Soligo Millesimato Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG
Dry. This award-winning wine is subtle, smooth and well-balanced, with a fruity taste and a flowery bouquet that finishes off with citrus and orchard fruits. It pairs well with tarts and fresh pastry,making it a good option for a breakfast sparkling.
Millage Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry
An intense, elegant and delicate wine with hints of fresh fruit and acacia flowers and a slightly bitter aftertaste. Stands up well to a variety of spicy, zesty and creamy flavours, making it a great companion for a romantic meal.
Bortolin Angelo Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry
An easy-drinking wine that’s dry and subtle with aromas of stone fruits and a fruity aftertaste. The rounded flavour and balanced acidity means it can be drunk with every stage of a meal (yes, even a very dry Prosecco can be a divine match with dessert). Or, if you’re a believer in ‘good things come to those who wait’, you can choose to store it for up to two years (but drink before 1.5 years for optimum flavour).
Mongarda Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG
Fresh flavours combine with wild flowers and ripe fruit aromas in this slightly unusual blend of classic Glera grapes and old indigenous vines. This vineyard is relatively small (producing just 30,000 bottles per year), resulting in a thoughtful portfolio of organic wines that’s ideal if you’re looking for something a bit different.
Scandolera Costa d’Oro Brut Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG
An elegant, delicate wine with a fresh floral fragrance and fine, persistent bubbles. It has a good balance of acidity and is as fun to cook with as it is to taste.
Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
A rounded, well-balanced wine with a clean, pleasantly fruity bouquet reminiscent of rennet apples and peach blossoms. Pairs well with fish or cheese appetizers or any delicately flavoured meal. This wine has the potential to age for 2-3 years so is a good one to hold onto if you’re not in a hurry to taste it.
Le Colture Gerardo “Rive di Santo Stefano” Valdobbiadene DOCG Spumante Brut
Vibrant and crisp, with notes of fresh-baked bread and fragrances of citrus and fresh garden
vegetables. A great wine from a vineyard famed for using fruit from some of the oldest vines in Santo Stefano.
Montesel “Riva dei Fiori” Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG Brut
A pleasantly dry wine with a fresh, intense flavour and a bouquet of apple, pear, grapefruit and acacia flowers. “Riva dei Fiori” means hillside of flowers and is a good reflection of its floral character. Mineral tones in the background give it a good sense of balance and there’s an almondy aftertaste.
Masottina Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG Brut
The first sip bursts with fresh fruits flavours like grapes, apples, limes and pink grapefruit, then opens out into riper notes of pears, plums and melons before finishing off with wisteria and orange blossoms. A soft, silky wine with plenty going on beneath the cork.
Spagnol “Rive Di Solghetto” Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG Brut
This cru is made from grapes harvested from two different vineyards. The result is an intense,balanced wine with a bouquet of ripe and exotic fruit and notes of balsamic vinegar. It’s refined and crisp enough to suit a range of fish and white meats as well as vegetarian food.
Le Tose Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosseco Superiore DOCG Brut
Gentle, lasting bubbles characterise Le Tose, whose Brut is fresh and savoury. This is a dry wine with fruity notes and is suitable both as an aperitif and with your main course.
Additional Note- Yes, I do mention in the above descriptions that it goes well with a certain dish or at a certain time of the day, but wine is a journey of discovery; what works for me, might not work for you.
Embark on your own journey and try pairing them with your favourite foods.
Because, Wine Not?
With special thanks to Sarah Abbot from the Consorzio Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco
Superiore for picking the wines and Madeleine Waters from the Co Company for trusting my taste buds.
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