Prosecco is one of the most popular sparkling wines in the world and it`s popularity and sales are growing each year. Produced in Veneto region in Italy from Glera grape variety. Therefore sparkling wine, produced in other areas, shouldn`t be called as Prosecco.
Prosecco is distinguished by it`s extremely floral aromas with dominating scents of jasmine, honey, fresh green apples and gentle notes of cinnamon. In order not to get lost in the rich variety of sparkling wines, we have put together a 3 questions memo to help you to choose Prosecco right for you.
1. Prosecco brut or Prosecco dry?
First of all, when choosing Prosecco, it is worth to pay attention, what kind of wine do you like- dry or sweet. Prosecco varies from very dry up to sweet, therefore everyone, who likes sparkling wine, will find Prosecco right for him. IJust check out Prosecco labelling: Prosecco brut, Prosecco extra dry, Prosecco dry or Prosecco demi-sec.
Prosecco brut– it is the driest version of Prosecco with residual sugar less than 12g/l. This prosecco is perfect as aperitif, also with shellfish, raw and baked fish due to it`s acidity and freshness.
Prosecco extra dry– this prosecco version has a lighter flavor and residual sugar varies from 12 to 17 gram per litre. Extra dry is the classical version of prosecco due to it`s unique taste, freshness and moderate sweetness.
Prosecco dry – this prosecco version takes the third place according to it`s dryness and residual sugar varies from 17 to 32g per litre. It is idea with with not so sweet pastries.
Prosecco demi-sec – this is the sweetest version of prosecco with residual sugar from 32 to 50 grams per litre. Ideally fits with deserts.
2. DOC ar DOCG?
Each Prosecco has labelling DOC (Denomination of controlled origin) or DOCG (Denomination of controlled and guaranteed origin). This is classification of Prosecco quality. Today Italy has 330 wines of DOC classification and 73 wines of DOCG classification. DOCG means that wine was produced following strict quality requirements and in more rare geographical areas.
Geography of Prosecco is Veneto region in Italy, between Adriatic sea and Italian Dolomites. Favorable climate, dried an sunny hills are perfect conditions for Glera grape. Those hills are also called Prosecco Hills and are the part of UNESCO heritage.
DOCG wines are produced in a small geographical area and Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobiadenne DOCG vineyards are settled only in 15 communes.
3. What does Millesimato mean?
As we already know, Prosecco is made from Glera grape, additional grapes shouldn`t exceed 15%, therefore the character of Prosecco is easy recognizable. Millesimato – one more quality measure of Prosecco meaning that only scrupulously the best selected grapes of the same vintage were used in the production of the particular Prosecco.
When pairing with food, Prosecco is a perfect welcome drink that comes along perfectly with snacks like ham, foccacia, soft and hard cheeses. Also nicely fits wih green vegetables. You can also apply think local principle meaning that whatever the locals would eat, that would perfectly fit you as well.
Also poplular in making coctails. One of the most famous coctail made with Prosecco- Mimoza.