Everything you ever wanted to know about Prosecco

In recent years, Prosecco has become one of the most popular wines available – and available it is, with the LCBO listing over 70 different examples for us to choose from. 

It originates in the Veneto, that region to the north of Venice. Just as no wine can be called Champagne unless it comes from that particular region of France, no wine can be called Prosecco unless it is made in this region of Italy and meets the production standards set for it. 

There are more Champagnes listed on the LCBO website than Proseccos, but they tend to be far more expensive, the majority selling for $70 and up. With Prosecco, we really have a sparkling wine for the people, with most priced below $20, and few above $30. 

Within every category of wine, some are better than others, and that applies to Prosecco as well. Many of the best come from the Valdobbiadene region, and may carry the DOCG designation – “Demoninazione de Origine Contlollata e Garantita.” 

The one example currently available is the Val d’ Oca Prosecco DOCG, $20.05. This is at the drier end of the Prosecco spectrum with 12 grams of sugar per litre and carries the typical 11 per cent alcohol. One reviewer, a champagne lover, appreciated the full-bodied taste. 

A good indication of Prosecco’s popularity can be found in the number of wineries from other regions – and countries – to establish a presence in the Veneto. In addition to Ruffino from Tuscany, Kim Crawford from New Zealand, Josh Cellars and Bread & Butter from California, and Frexienet from Spain are some of the companies that now have Proseccos present in the LCBO. 

Apparently, Prosecco is very popular with younger drinkers, who in northern Italy often order it by the pitcherful in bars and tavernas. It is a wine to enjoy easily with great refreshing effervescence, and just enough residual sugar to enhance the fruitiness. 

The principal grape for Prosecco is called Glera, which must make up at least 80 per cent of the wine. Recently rules were changed to allow the red grape Pinot Noir to be included, but for no more than 15 per cent. This paved the way for Prosecco Rosé, a winning addition, considering how popular Rosés have become.  

An easygoing pair of Proseccos are the traditional white Romeo and the Juliet Rosé – a perfect pair for St. Valentine’s Day. Each is $14.95, and each has 11.5 per cent alcohol and 15 grams of sugar per litre. 

Prosecco is made by having the wine undergo a secondary fermentation under pressure in a closed tank – this may take just a few days, or it can be extended considerably. Obviously, the longer this fermentation, the more expensive the wine is likely to be. 

The producer Mionetto from Treviso has both its “Prestige DOC” and its “Il Prosecco” on our shelves. The former comes with a cork, the latter with a metal cap. The Prestige has 11 per cent alcohol and 10 grams of sugar per litre, while “Il Prosecco” has 10.5 per cent alcohol and 15 grams of sugar per litre. At $17.95 and $15.95 respectively, they provide a good opportunity to compare, with the latter intentionally designed for “light, informal, social drinking.”  

On the Nov. 5 release, you will find the Santa Margherita Brut Sparkling Rosé, $19.95. It comes from the same region, but it is not a Prosecco, as it is made up of 50 per cent Chardonnay, 45 per cent Glera, and 5 per cent Malbec. The production method is like Prosecco, though in this case, the wine undergoes a month-long second fermentation followed by six months of maturation in pressurized tanks. This in turn would be well worth trying. 

Think of these wines as the Holidays approach – they are well-made, festive, and inexpensive. Enjoy. 

Speaking of Holidays, Vintages certainly seems to be ramping it up with the Oct. 22 release. On the Oct. 8 release, about 50 per cent of the wines were in the $20 and under range, with only 6 wines hovering around the $50 mark, and only one well above that. Fast-forward two weeks and only 20 per cent of the wines were under $20, while 25 –about a sixth of the total release was above $50, and many of them by a long stretch. Christmas is coming.  

Most of the upper-end wines are available only online or in “Flagship” stores. A few are currently in stock at the Great Northern Road store.  

Masi Campolongo di Torbe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2013, $135.95 is a spectacular selection from the Veneto. Gambero Rosso gives it its full 3 glasses, its highest rating. According to a British merchant, it is “deep, powerful ruby red in colour with a dense texture. The bouquet is strong and very attractive with a slight sweetness that is reminiscent of plum jam and cherries preserved in spirit. Firm but soft and silky tannins on the palate and an attractive acidity to balance the ample body. Long and intense on the finish with hints of baked fruit and a touch of spiciness.” 

Caymus, which has both a $56 Cab and a magnum (1500 ml.) version of their Special Selection 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, is $439.95 - that is not a typo! -  as “On-line Exclusives” this week, also has its Caymus-Suisun Grand Durif 2019, $69.95, in our store. This medium bodied, balanced Petite Sirah (Durif) offers cola and blueberry with notes of black tea and licorice, with dark chocolate and fig kicking in on the dry finish, according to kenswineguide.com -  92. 

From Napa you’ll find the Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, $59.95, which Ottawa writer Natalie MacLean suggests is “fragrant, full-bodied and creamy on the palate with ripe blackberry, cassis, olive, chocolate and spice with a flinty mineral finish.” – 94. 

From Spain, the R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2010,$64.95, receives high accolades everywhere. James Suckling has this to say: This is as complex and savoury as the rest of the Viña Tondonia wines, but also shows a tad more depth, with a hint of black plum and blue fruit on top of the orange rind, iron, tobacco and earthy spices. Expect some cedar and truffle to develop in the future. Juicy, zesty and tight, with dusty tannins and bright berry fruit on the medium-to-full-bodied palate. Drink or hold. - 97 

For other suggestions pick up a catalogue at the store, or speak with Jeanie to learn what else is available now. 

Here are some other suggestions which are still on our shelves from the Oct. 8 release or appearing on Oct. 22 

Sparkling 

Celene Bordeaux Améthyste Brut Crémant de Bordeaux, $16.95, is made in the traditional method with a second fermentation in bottle. Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusiast explains that it is “ripe and fruity with a creamy character” developing in “richness and depth of flavour” – 90. 

Maschio Extra Dry Rosé Prosecco 2020, $16.95 –“Fragrant cherry blossoms and peach skin notes mix with slivered almond and blood orange sorbet flavours in this fresh rosé with a fine lively mousse.” – Wine Spectator” – 85 

Rosé 

Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé 2021, $16.95, is #3 in the Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 100 Best Buys” this year. “A blend of 67 per cent Syrah and 33 per cent Mourvèdre sourced from vineyards outside of Marseille, this is a svelte yet juicy wine packed with crisp raspberry, nectarine and apricot flavours. Pale pink and brisk in style, 90.” 

Tessellae Rosé 2021, $16.95 from the Roussillon region in the south of France, is dry with an abundance of red berry and cranberry fruit and savoury spice notes. A winealign.com writer describes it as “classically composed and efficiently executed in a pitch-perfect tone.” 

White  

Thelema Sauvignon Blanc 2020, $16.95, is an excellent South African white that the Platter Guide explains is “citrus with a mineral core to polished, racy, tangy acidity giving it focus and startling length -92”.  

Feudo Antico Organic Pecorino 2021, $16.95, from Italy’s Abruzzo province is vegan-friendly. Vintages references ”lip-smacking lemon and lime citrus, succulent melon, and sharply defined pear and apple.” Great on its own or with seafood and stir-fried vegetables. 

D’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Vignier/Marsanne 2021, $17.95, is an always highly rated product from South Australia. James Suckling writes, “This has attractive apricot viognier fruit on the nose with some sweet florals. Fleshy feel on the palate with a riot of stone-fruit, fresh-citrus and green-mango flavours.” – 91. 

On the regular list and also available at the Korah Road store is the 19 Crimes Martha’s Chard, $20 which is also high on the Wine Enthusiast’s top 100 Best Buys. Though the brand is originally from Australia, this is a California Chardonnay in which “a deft touch with oak gives this medium- to full-bodied wine spicy complexity. It ranges from a toasted baguette aroma to light butter and ginger flavours over golden apple and Bosc pear. - 91  

Red 

Hilario Corbières, $14.95, from Franc’s Languedoc is a popular repeat selection. Twilightwines.com says it offers “deep dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features Black cherry, plum, bramble fruit, black peppercorn, cocoa, arugula, sage & fresh cut carnations.” – 94. 

La Posta Estela Armando Bonarda 2020, $16.95, from Argentina is #74 on the Best Buy List, though this is the next vintage, 2021. James Suckling tells us that “this is a fresh, clean bonarda with some berry, mushroom and cola character. Medium body, light tannins and clean fresh finish. -90. 

Louis Bernard Louis Côtes du Rhône-villages 2020, $16.95 is made in a “ripe and juicy style, with a good blast of cherry paste and plum puree flavours lined with black licorice and backed by roasted apple wood. - 90.” - winespectator.com. 

Bernardeschi Governo All’Uso Rosso 2018. $18.95. With “governo”, a portion of the harvest is held back and allowed to dry partially, and then added later to enliven the wine in process. Further on, fermentation is often stopped intentionally to result in a slightly sweeter wine. This example has a heady 13.4 per cent alcohol and 15 grams of sugar per litre. It is a style to which Luca Maroni appears partial, as he gives it a 97! 

Conde  Valdemar Reserva 2015, $23.95, is a fine red from Spain’s Rioja. Composed primarily of Tempranillo, it is enhanced with the addition of a 20 per cent mixture of other grapes, including Graciano and Garnacha. “Smooth, textured, scented and appealing, with good freshness for the vintage, red berry fruit and a subtle balsamic twist. Drink date: 2022-2030. Score - 93.” – timatkin.com. (This has much the same degree of alcohol as the previous wine mentioned, but only 2 grams of sugar per litre. Quite a contrast!)