Champagne Prosecco: an overview of taste and types + 9 popular brands
Briefly about the drink
Prosecco - this is a white sparkling wine produced in the north-east of Italy: in the Veneto and Friuli regions. Prosecco is often the name of the grape variety from which this wine is made. But, since 2009, the grape variety has a different official name - Glera, and the term "Prosecco" is applied directly to the designation of the drink.
It is believed that in real Prosecco, Glera grapes account for at least 85%, and the remaining 15% are local grape varieties: Verdizo, Bianchetta, Perera, as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio...
Until the 1960s, Prosecco was known as a rather sweet champagne, very similar to Asti, produced in Piedmont. But production technologies are changing, and now Prosecco is a special alcoholic beverage that stands out from other wines.
A brief overview of Prosecco
All variants of this sparkling wine are characterized by a yellow straw color. In general, the taste is fruity, with a pleasant freshness. According to the level of sweetness, Prosecco can be divided into:
Brut
Up to 12 g of sugar per 1 liter of drink. This is the newest version of sparkling wine, which is characterized by a refined citrus flavor, complemented by floral and vegetal notes.
Extra dry
There are 12-17 g of sugar per 1 liter of wine. The classic version. Its aroma is full of fruity notes, apples and pears. The taste is soft and dry at the same time.
Dry or dry
17-32 sugar per 1 liter of sparkling wine. It has an excellent spicy taste and a pleasant fruity aroma with tropical hints.
The classic drink is good as an aperitif. It should be cooled to 6-8°C before drinking.
The average calorie content of Prosecco champagne is 120 kcal.
Prosecco is a versatile drink that goes well with a number of dishes: appetizers, first courses, pastas, white meat, fish and cheeses.
Popular brands of Prosecco
On store shelves you can see Prosecco from different manufacturers. Let's take a look at some types of the drink and highlight their main properties:
Valdo, Marca Oro, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore
Dry sparkling wine has a light golden color. The taste is mild, leaving a sweet aftertaste. The aroma is unique, combining fruity motifs that smoothly flow into shades of acacia, wild apple and honey. An excellent aperitif. The drink goes especially well with seafood.
Nino Franco, Rustico, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Dry sparkling wine has a bright color. The fresh taste is created by fruity nuances, with pear tones being particularly distinct. The aroma is persistent and fresh, with hints of apple and banana, ending with a delicate floral scent. The drink is used as an aperitif. Served in the company of seafood, pasta, risotto.
Tenuta Ca' Bolani, Prosecco DOC Spumante Brut
Dry champagne, has a persistent white foam. The taste is fruity and floral with almond touches. The aroma is pleasant, fruity, which includes the smells of wisteria and apple blossom. An excellent aperitif, goes well with delicacies and desserts.
Bacio della Luna Extra Dry Prosecco
Dry type of champagne, characterized by greenish reflections in color. The refreshing taste is dominated by fruity nuances of pear and apple, followed by a long aftertaste with moderate acidity. The aroma of the drink is full of floral shades with tones of fruit. Goes well with seafood. An excellent aperitif.
Botter, Prosecco Spumante
Dry champagne with a golden hue. The taste is balanced, with a noticeable acidity. Created with a fruit palette: apple, pear, almonds. The aroma of the drink is also dominated by fruit notes. Good to drink as an aperitif or in the company of light salads and seafood.
Contarini, Prosecco Victor White White Extra Dry DOC
Dry sparkling wine, it is characterized by a persistent foam and moderate perlage. The taste is incredibly fresh and harmonious, with fruit notes and tones of sweet honey merging perfectly. The aroma of the drink instantly gives a bright floral scent, complemented by fruity touches. An excellent aperitif. Harmonious with light snacks, pasta.
Ruggeri, Prosecco Valdobbiadene Giall’Oro
Dry type of champagne with a greenish tint and a persistent play of small bubbles. The taste is fresh and harmonious, with a long aftertaste. The aroma is bright, with a noticeable floral range and hints of ripe apples. A good aperitif. At the table, it will accompany light snacks and pasta.
Bortolomiol, Bandarossa Extra Dry Millesimato, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
This dry sparkling wine has a pale yellowish color. The taste has a creamy texture and fruity notes. The aroma is dominated by hints of juicy fruits: pear, apple and citrus. Drink as an aperitif, also served with fish dishes and pasta.
Umberto Bortolotti, Valdobbiadene DOCG Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
Dry champagne is characterized by a fine-grained perlage. The taste is bright and intense, full of fruity notes. The flavor has a distinct floral palette. Serve as an aperitif or addition to seafood.
When buying Prosecco sparkling wine, carefully examine the bottle. The word Prosecco must appear on the label. Otherwise, you will get a different kind of drink.
Update: 03.05.2018
Category: Wine and Vermouth