"Just Because" Celebrations!

Fourth of July has come and gone, and the fireworks and sparklers have been put away.  However,  the sparkles, as in sparkling wine, continue at my house with corks popping and bubbles flowing! I never need an occasion to pour sparkling wine, and as I’m sure you all know by now, I love celebrating “just because” moments. Don’t you?  I have a wonderful lineup of delicious Italian sparkling wines, specifically Prosecco, that will tickle your palate and won’t put a dent in your bank account. Before we get to the reviews, let’s take a quick trip to Italy.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Prosecco is a sparkling wine produced in the Veneto region of the northeastern part of Italy and is made primarily with Glera, a white grape variety.  Here is a brief overview of the production area.

Sparkling wines labeled Prosecco DOC (Denominazione d’Origins Controllata) come from nine provinces between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.  What is considered to be the best quality Prosecco comes from the Treviso province, especially the area between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, a hilly area that is the home of Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG (Denominazione d’Origins Controllata e Garantita)

There are three communes in the Prosecco DOCG: Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, and Asolo, located about 26 miles north of the Treviso airport. Asolo, a smaller town known as the “City of 100 Horizons” because of its spectacular panoramic views, is also included in the Prosecco DOCG and called Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG. 

Valdobbiadene Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Asolo have ancient origins of vine growing dating back to the Roman Empire, but the first written documentation connecting Prosecco to this area is from 1772. The DOC was established here in 1969, and the historic production of Prosecco has been limited to 15 communes. In 2009, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG certification was issued. As of January 1, 2021, the Denomination di Origins Controllata consortium gave its final stamp of approval for making Prosecco Rosé, setting these wines apart from other pink sparkling wines made in Italy.  The grapes for Prosecco Rosé must be sourced from a specific geographic area that has passed the Italian Government’s quality requirements.  In addition, only Glera grapes (85 -90%) and Pinot Noir (10-15 %) are allowed. The DOC guidelines also require Prosecco Rosé to be fermented in stainless steel tanks for at least 60 days. Also, they must be vintage-dated and labeled Prosecco DOC.  These sparkling wines range in style from very dry to slightly sweet.

​This area is rich in history, culture, and beauty, and the breathtaking countryside is filled with hills and rolling slopes rising up from the Piave River.  From early origins, a glacier slid down from the Dolomites and came to rest in a valley that eventually became the riverbed of the Piave. The river begins in the Alps and flows into the Adriatic Sea. The local soil is attributed to this glacier and can vary depending on the slope of the hill. Some areas contain rock, sand, clay, and iron oxides. In areas unaffected by the glacier, the soils consist of marl and sandstone and are less deep and more porous. Because Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Asolo are situated between the sea and Prealps, the area experiences a mild climate with constant breezes. Vineyards have excellent sun exposure and benefit from the altitude and broad differences between day and night temperatures.  The slopes, micro-climate, sun exposure, and various soils make this an ideal setting for growing Glera grapes for the production of Prosecco Superiore DOCG.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Unlike the traditional method used to produce sparkling wines such as Champagne, Cava, and Franciacorta, which goes through its second fermentation in the bottle, most Prosecco is made using the Charmat-Martinotti method, where the second fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. Due to the Glera grape’s moderately high acidity and typical characteristics of white flowers, peach, melon, apple, and pear, it is the perfect grape for sparkling wine.

So, let’s taste a few wines!

Bele Casel Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Vecchie Uve Extra Brut 2019
Bele Casel estate is located in the heart of Asolo, with 12 hectares of hillside vineyards in Cornuda, Maser, and Monfumo. Glera and other local varieties for this wine are sourced from Monfumo vineyards, with an average vine age of 50 years old.  Secondary fermentation takes place in pressure tanks for 18 months on the lees.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Delicate, fruity aromas, floral, pear, sweet apple, and herbs.
Palate: Creamy and persistent bubbles lead to a fresh and vibrant wine. Aromas segue onto the palate, with pear and apple lingering for an elegant finale.  This wine can be aged in the bottle for six to eight years.
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $24

Giusti Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut NV
From the first vineyard, owner Ermenegildo Giusti, planted in 2002, Società Agricola Giusti-Dal Col srl has grown to 75 hectares. The estate lies in the Montello and Pieve hills in eastern Veneto, between Treviso, Venice, and Asolo.  This sparkling wine is 100% Glera harvested from vineyards in the hilly area of Montello and the Asolo hills. Secondary fermentation takes place in pressure tanks.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: A lovely floral bouquet with tart apple and lemon.
Palate: Creamy and persistent bubbles with brisk acidity, pear, apple, peach, lemon zest, and minerality.
Alcohol: 11.5%
SRP: $14

Montelliana “57” Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry
This wine is named for the year the winery was founded, in 1957. Cantina Montelliana is located in the heart of the Marca Trevigiana, at the foot of Colli Asolani and Montello district. It is a cooperative of 400 associated vine growers that produce Prosecco DOC and DOCG.  This 100% Glera sparkling wine is made using the Charmat method.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Fruity bouquet with floral, apples, melon, and peach.
Palate: Creamy perlage with apples, pear, white peach, white flowers, minerality, and vibrant acidity.
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $ $14

Villa Sandi
Villa Sandi is located in the heart of the Treviso Province at the foot of Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG hills. The estate boasts an extensive network of underground cellars dating back to 1622.  Villa Sandi is owned by the Moretti Polegato family, purchased in 1970, and is a family-run business.  They have five estates in the DOC and DOCG areas between the regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Valdbbiadene Photo courtesy of Villa Sandi

Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2021​
This wine is a blend of 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Noir.  Grapes are sourced from vineyards in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions.  The wine is made using the Charmat method.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Rose petals, raspberry, a hint of citrus, and pear.
Palate: Fresh strawberries and cream come to mind with this delectable rosé.  Creamy bubbles, red berries, floral notes, and bright acidity. Very refreshing!
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $22

Villa Sandi Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry NV
The grapes for this wine are sourced from the hilly countryside of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG, in the Valdobbiadene DOCG appellation. It is a blend of 85% Glera and 15% Chardonnay.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Beautiful floral notes with hints of honeysuckle, white stone fruit, and apple.
Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with creamy bubbles and lively acidity.
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $25

Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco Biologico Organic Brut DOC NV
This sparkling wine is Certified Organic by Valoritalia (a company for the certification of quality and Italian wine production S.r.l.), which means no synthetic chemicals are used in the wine growing process.  It is 100% Glera and is produced using the Charmat method.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Floral with a touch of edelweiss. It is fruity, with white stone fruit and melon.
Palate: Fine and persistent bubbles, dry, sweet apple, white peach, and honeydew.  Fresh and lively!
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $22

LaMarca
LaMarca was established in 1968 and is a wine-producing company representing the products of nine cooperative wineries and fourteen processing plants in the heart of the province of Treviso, specifically, LaMarca Trevigiana.

LaMarca Prosecco DOC NV
This wine is 100% Glera, sourced from hundreds of small villages throughout the Prosecco DOC region.  It is produced using the Charmat method.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Floral notes, citrus, white stone fruit, and honey.
Palate: This a fresh and lovely wine with crisp notes of green apple, citrus, grapefruit, minerality, and a touch of lemon zest on the finish.
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $19

LaMarca Prosecco Rosé DOC 2021
Glera and Pinot Noir (10-15%) are sourced from vineyards throughout Treviso’s hillside along the Piave River.  An extended secondary fermentation for at least 60 days takes place in stainless steel tanks.

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Nose: Floral, red berries, white stone fruit, and a hint of herbs.
Palate: Fresh and crisp, with raspberry, strawberry, cherry, citrus, white peach, minerality, and lively bubbles.
Alcohol: 11%
SRP: $19

Enjoy these sparkling wines as an aperitif or pair with just about anything from salty to sweet, appetizers, main courses, and desserts!  Here are a few food pairing suggestions: creamy, mild, or savory cheese, apple and goat cheese salad, seafood, shellfish, charcuterie board, pizza, spicy Asian cuisine, pasta, grilled white meat dishes, roasted veggies, delicate pastries, and salted popcorn!

​I look forward to returning to this region soon to soak up more beauty, culture, and sparkling wine! In the meantime, I’ll pour a glass of Prosecco and let it transport me back to this magical region with every sip I take.  Pure bliss!

Photo credit: Penny Weiss

Until next time…

Cheers!
Penina

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