Some alternatives to Prosecco, for International Prosecco Day 2022
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August 13th is National Prosecco Day! The one day each year that we celebrate a very particular sparkling wine from Italy that has taken over weekend brunches, work nights-out and every cork-popping occasion possible.
So, what actually is Prosecco?
Well to start with, it’s a village and used to be the name of the grape variety. It was re-named Glera and for a wine to call itself Prosecco, it must be made up of at least 85% Glera.
It also needs to come from a certain area of Italy to classify as Prosecco. Nine provinces to exact. Whatsmore, there are different levels of Prosecco production which indicate the quality you can expect. You may have noticed on a label the abbreviation ‘DOC.’ This particular classification means this wine was produced in North-Eastern Italy and is the mass-produced variety. As a general rule when I’m buying Prosecco, I look for a specific named area on the label, followed by ‘Superiore’. You should be in for a treat.
The way that Prosecco is made is also important. It uses the ‘tank method’, which basically means it’s fermented in a big ole stainless steel container. The base wine mixture, yeast and sugar are added to the tank. The bubbles in Prosecco are actually made when the yeast eats the sugar and ferments, releasing CO2. The liquid then rests, is filtered and finally bottled and ready to hit the shelves.
Ok. Where can I get the good stuff from?
I’ve scoured the internet for the best widely available Prosecco that you can get your hands on. I’ve also added a few other sparkling wines in case you were feeling a little more adventurous with your bubbles. Cin cin!
Prosecco:
Tescos have come through with the goods with their Tesco Finest Valdobbiadene Superiore from the D.O.C.G. of Valdobbiadene.
Sainsbury’s have a good option with their Taste the Difference Conegliano Prosecco from the Conegliano region of Italy.
If you’re after a pink Prosecco, look no further than Della Vite Millesimato D.O.C. Prosecco Rose which is available on Ocado.
If you want to drink natural Prosecco, this should be your go-to bottle. The Casa Belfi Bianco Bio Frizzante is produced in the Col Fondo region which produces much lighter, less effervescent wines. Unrefined, unfiltered and extremely tasty.
Not Prosecco:
It’s hard not to talk about Champagne when bubbles are on the brain. This Henriet-Bazin Blanc De Blancs comes from a maison that has been making wine since 1890. It’s now run by a woman named Marie-Noelle who has recently acquired the HVE, (High Environmental Value) status on her vines.
Crémant is probably my favourite sparkling wine. The Caveau de Jacobins Crémant du Jura from Majestic is cellared in a 13th Century church so has to be worth a try.
So good it won an award last year, the Jansz Cuvée NV is an Australian sparkling wine which ticks the box of a Champagne-style creamy mouthfeel.
Of course, Brixton Wine Club has a few sparkling options. I have a long-term love affair for Quello.
This is a bit of a wild-card for this category but it’s so good I can’t not recommend it if we’re talking sparkling drinks. Kocktail’s Lychee & Elderflower Spritz is a fresher and lighter twist on the Aperitivo Spritz.