Friday, July 5, 2019

Prosecco DOCG is More Than Just Prosecco

 
It’s amazing to me that this past weekend into this week we celebrated my first born’s 3rd birthday.  It was the perfect opportunity to pop some prosecco that was sent from the Consortium for Prosecco Superiore DOCG and highlight it for this month’s Italian Food, Wine & Travel group. 

The Region ~ Conegliano Valdobbiadene 
Prosecco hails from the Veneto region in the northeastern corner of Italy.  The core of its production is found in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene area of the Treviso province, which has been producing prosecco since the late 19th century.  Located at the foothills of the Belluno Alps and north of the Piave River.   

Conegliano Valdobbiadene spans over 15 communes covering 15,000 acres from east to west.  Conegliano is located in the eastern part with lower hills closer to the Adriatic.  The weather is warmer resulting in softer, fruitier wines.  The Valdobbiadene is located on the western side on higher hills closer to the mountains.  There the climate is cooler with higher acid wines.   
Prosecco vs. Prosecco DOCG
Look at the comparison on the small parcel of Prosecco DOCG vs. Prosecco DOC.  Copyright of Federdoc
The Grape ~ Glera 
Prosecco is primarily based on the glera grape, which was previously known as prosecco tondo.  Many producers will utilize 100% glera, but they are only required to use at least 85% with 15% of other local varieties.  Glera is a late ripening grape that is widely planted and found in the province of Treviso.  It is a rather aromatic grape that produces light, refreshing wines with notes of apple, pears, white flowers, peaches and lemon.  Of course there are many different styles and those of the cartizze sub-zone show every more depth and complexities.
Prosecco DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene Adami Astoria Valdo
The Wines 
Valdo Cuvee 1926 Valdobbiadene DOCG Extra Dry – Started in 1926 by some winemakers and later sold to Bolla of Verona.  The wine is made of 90% glera with 10% chardonnay. Pale straw colored.  Florally with notes of lemon and stone fruits/peaches.  Abundant bubbles with a persistent finish.  Lemon, apple, pineapple on the palate nicely balanced with a tingly finish.  This wine spends 5 months with the charmat method and 3 months in the bottle.  ABV 11.5% SRP $19.99 

Astoria Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG Extra Dry – Astoria was founded in 1987 and is located in Refrontolo on 40 acres.  Surrounded by the Alps and the winery is located at the Val de Brun Estate.  A rather stylish bottle I must say.  Pale straw yellow color.   Refreshing with a hint of sweetness lending to a little more tropical notes than the others with citrus and green apple.  ABV 11% SRP $15 

Adami Bosco di Gica Brut Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCGNamed Bosco di Gica after the ancient land where the vineyards are located.  Made of about 95% glera with 5% chardonnay.  Pale straw color with lots of green apple and citrus with a very crisp, fresh acidity.  Nice lingering finish.  I’ve tasted this wine prior along with some of the others from Adami that you can read about hereABV 11% SRP $19  
At the Gambero Rosso I also tasted a couple of the wines from Botolomiol including their 2018 Bortolomiol Valdobbiadene Brut Prior and their 2018 Bortolomiol Filanda Brute Rose’ Riserva.  Out of all these wines shared today these were my favorite.  It could be partially because I’m not a fan of bubbles period and what I loved about the wines from Bortolomiol were the soft, frothy bubbles and elegance of the wines.  Wine is a beverage of personal choice always so this was just my personal preference.  

Join my fellow wine and food lovers as they too explored prosecco this month.  If you catch us in time we'll be chatting live Saturday July 6th on Twitter #ItalianFWT at 11am EST.  Hope to see you there!


*Most wines were received as samples, but opinions are all my own.

6 comments:

  1. Three years old already? Don't blink...they'll be taller than you and driving before you know it. Thanks for joining us for the Prosecco DOCG party, Jen.

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  2. We both shared ours at birthday celebrations for our daughters. Don't blink because the next thing you know they will be old enough to join us in the tastings.

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  3. With all our comments and understanding of DOCG and DOC, I wonder if I can really taste the difference. I'm thinking about getting DOC and DOCG wines from a single producer (Adami comes to mind as you mention above) and tasting for myself!

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  4. Great info Jen. Coincidentally, I met a Bolla relative about two weeks ago, and am familiar with that brand. I have to try the other two.

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  5. Nice tasting notes and more Prosecco DOCG to add to my tasting list. Cheers!

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  6. I didn't realize that Chardonnay is permitted in Prosecco! That's cool! Looks and sound like you rec'd some great samples Jen!

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