There’s More To Italian Sparkling Wine Than Prosecco

2 weeks ago

When I was astatine university, whenever I partook successful that astir ineffable of further acquisition rituals (that is, pre-drinks), my tipple of prime was an full vessel of prosecco. More times a week than I consciousness comfortable disclosing here, I’d trundle down to nan Tesco Express successful Durham to people a vessel of Plaza Centro prosecco for nan sublime value of £5.50 (it’s now a princely £7). While galore different vino writers’ careers statesman pinch a unicorn vessel from a relative’s cellar, I’m proud to opportunity that excavation started here.

Why americium I telling you this? Well, not only did I consciousness cool sipping my fizz from a integrative flute while my friends drank rum and orangish juice mixed and swigged nonstop from nan carton, but I besides loved prosecco. Today, however, I’m much indifferent, which is not to opportunity that prosecco has sewage immoderate worse aliases changed successful immoderate measurement complete time. But I have. When I was an 18-year-old concerned pinch getting arsenic trollied arsenic imaginable successful nan slightest magnitude of clip and astatine small cost, I was drawn to sweetness, arsenic galore of america are erstwhile we’re younger, and astir supermarket prosecco is alternatively saccharine – moreover nan confusingly named “extra dry” class allows for 12-17g sweetener per litre.

Nowadays, however, I crave acidity, salinity and each nan punchy savoury flavours I tin get. And, fortunately, location is truthful overmuch Italian sparkling vino retired location that isn’t prosecco. Nigh connected each region successful Italy has its ain take. The Trento DOC, which, for illustration prosecco, is successful nan north-east, produces metodo classico wines from chardonnay and pinot nero (pinot noir), which are made utilizing nan champagne method pinch a secondary fermentation successful nan vessel (prosecco, connected nan different hand, is produced utilizing the charmat, aliases tank, method). They tin bid reasonably precocious prices, but they tin still beryllium had successful your section supermercato for acold little than champers.

Then there’s moscato d’Asti, an off-dry, frizzante vino pinch a debased ABV and a chemoreceptor that leans towards bouquets of flowers and gentle chromatic consequence specified arsenic peach and apricot. I particularly for illustration it successful cocktails for which you’d usually usage prosecco: pornstar martini, bellini, immoderate spritz you fancy. Franciacorta, meanwhile, is becoming progressively popular, and besides employs nan metodo classico constitution of pinot nero and chardonnay. Moving down to Emilia-Romagna, you’ll find nan previously-out-of-vogue-but-now-really-quite-cool lambrusco, which takes galore forms and colours; nan 1 you’re astir apt to find successful nan UK is simply a heavy currant colour pinch a vibrant effervescence. There are besides galore producers who consciousness inspired by definite vintages aliases location styles and take to make their ain declassified sparkling wines.

All that said, if prosecco is your bag, person astatine it. It’s an eternal crowdpleaser, wide disposable and suited to astir palates – there’s a logic nan UK is nan drink’s biggest user extracurricular Italy. Prosecco: it’s not you, it’s me.

Four Italian fizzes that aren’t prosecco

Sainsbury’s Taste nan Difference Pignoletto Brut £8, 11%. A fun, caller sparkling vino from Emilia-Romagna. Like biting into a granny smith.

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina Brut £13.79 Decàntlo, 12.5%. A charmat-method vino from a favourite Campania winery. All achromatic flowers and peach.

Ca’D’Gal Lumine Moscato d’Asti Lumine £16.80 Les Caves de Pyrene, 5%. All nan classical flavours of peach and orchard consequence pinch a pleasing, palate-cleansing sweetness.

Ferrari Maximum Blanc de Blancs NV £26.50 VINVM, 12.5%. A fancy vino from 1 of Italy’s astir iconic sparkling producers. Pastry, nuts and razor-sharp acidity.