Prosecco translates to Delicious Bubbles
Jeff Roberts 2/15/2021
Prosecco is Italian sparkling wine made from the Glera grape. Prosecco gets is bubbles from secondary fermentation in a steel tank also called the Charmat method. To be classified as Prosecco a wine must be at least 85% Glera, the remaining 15% can be Pinot Blanco, Pinot Grigo, Perera, Verdiso or Bianchetta Trevigina. The Glera grape has high acidity and low alcohol and provides floral and fruity notes.
I had the opportunity to taste some Prosecco sparkling wines from Nino Franco during the month of September as part of #winestudio, an educational program on Twitter. For the month of October I learned about ConVal Prosecco DOCG tasting Prosecco from a special area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene including sparklers from the subregion of Rive and Cartizze
Nino Franco Prosecco
Since 1919 the Franco family has been making Prosecco in the Valdobbiadene region of the Veneto. Their longevity has allowed them to build on experience history and tradition while developing new technologies to revolutionize Prosecco and create delicious bubbles, many at amazing values. Nino Franco wine is a family affair and is very different from stereotypical “supermarket Prosecco” Nino Franco shows that Prosecco can be delicious elegant and accessible. By using old clones and new planting techniques and technology and collaborating with local producers Nino Franco will definitely make you reconsider any preconceived ideas you might have about Prosecco.
Nino Franco Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore ($19) is 100% Glera, this sparkler has apple & bread dough flavors and aromas. It is crisp and the perfect wine to enjoy with appetizers and to toast a special occasion or enjoy just because
Nino Franco Brut Valdobbiadne Prosecco Superiore DOCG ($27) These grapes are grown on the hillside requiring intensive work to cultivate and harvest. This prosecco is dry with nice apple flavors and citrus notes
Nino Franco Prosecco Superior DOCG 2016 ($29) This wine has a metal clasp called an agrafe. It is sweet and is perfect for a dessert pairing or after dinner sparkler
Nino Franco Grave di Stecca Brut Sparkling 2010 ($49) This Prosecco comes in a lovely gold bottle it has lots of layers and complexity and showcases the depth a high end Prosecco can have
Con Val Prosecco
The ConVal Consortium was created to protect, promote sustain and the safeguard the Conegliano Valdobbiadene area of origin. Con Val Prosecco are DOCG meaning Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantiti and come from a special area of Conegliano Valdobbiadene . DOCG is Italy’s highest appellation rating and a wine must meet certain specifications of quality to carry a DOCG rating.
Within the Con Val DOCG, Rive Prosecco are from the slopes of the steep hills that are characteristic of the zone. For Rive, the Prosecco grapes must be hand harvested, the wine must be vintage dated, the grapes must be harvested at a maximum of 13 tons per hectare. Cartizze is located in Valadobbiadene is 300 meters high and is owned by 140 growers. Cartizze comes from the steepest hills and the best grapes of the appellation of San Pietro di Barbozza, Santo Stefano and Saccol and is considered the “Grand Cru” of Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
Rive a sub-category of Con Val Prosecco DOCG established in 2009
NV Valdoca Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Naturae “Rive di Santo Stefano” ($20-$22) delicious minerality balanced with flavors of tart apple, citrus and pear
2016 Masottina Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Rive di Ogliano ($16-$20) floral notes of jasmine mixed with a spiciness of ginger and tropical fruit flavors rounded out with nice minerality
Tenuta degli Ultimi Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Rive di Collalto “Biancariva” ($22) great minerality rounded out with flavors of pear and lemon and some floral notes
2015 Bellenda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut “Sei Uno” Rive di Carpesica – flavors of almond, apple, citrus, stone fruit and fresh baked bread. (This is not imported to the US)
2015 Malibran Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG “Credamora” Rifermentato in Bottiglia ($23) jasmine, lemon and baked bread flavors
Cartizze Considered the crown jewel of Conegliano Valdobbiadene
Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizzze DOCG Brut ($15-20) great structure and minerality with floral notes and hints of peach
La Colture Valdobbiaden Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Dry ($40) rich stone fruit flavors balanced with minerality and florality
After 2 months covering Prosecco you’d think I would have become an expert but instead I learned that there is a lot to know about Prosecco and feel I was merely able to scratch the surface of what I consider to be an under appreciated sparkling wine that is a great value
I look forward to learning and tasting more about Prosecco and hope to plan a trip to the region soon to brush up on my Italian and learn more about this region and its amazing sparkling wines in person!
If you are looking for sparking wine for the holidays that is a great value for its quality, I highly recommend you consider putting some DOCG Prosecco on your table or or you gift list
For more details about DOCG Prosecco check out http://www.prosecco.it/en/prosecco-superiore-docg/.
To learn more about Nino Franco goto http://www.ninofranco.it/en/
Special thanks to #winestudio, Nino Franco & Con Val Prosecco for providing me the opportunity to taste and learn about these delicious Prosecco wines!
Tags: #WineStudio, Cartizze, Con Val, Glera, Nino Franco, Prosecco, Riva
