Prosecco – Vinnie’s Wine Corner

Maybe you’ve never heard of Prosecco, but then maybe you have. Prosecco is an Italian Champagne-style sparkling wine produced in Veneto and is actually getting to be very popular in high-end cocktails. True Champagne is only produced in the Champagne region of France, but other countries produce sparkling wine as well, they just call it something different.

Before discovering Prosecco, the only real Italian sparkling wine I had tried was the overly sweet Asti-Spumanti, so I was wary. But to my pleasure, I found this bottle to be the Anti-Spumanti. It’s dry, not sweet, and that’s the way I like sparkling wine, similar to the Spanish Cava. If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the fizz of Champagne, then you will love this wine.

The first thing I noticed was the healthy head of bubbles when I poured. The head was thick and effervescent, and reminded me more of beer than Champagne. And if you are getting a sparkling wine, then dad-gum it, you’d better get some fizz. I recently had a Roeder Estate that left me disappointed in the fizz department. While the head was doing its thing, I noticed a distinct citrus note which faded to a mineral water nose as it settled down.

The taste was very dry with a piercing mineral twang, which finished off to hints of dried apricots and lemon peel. Neutrality is the key to this wine, which makes it a perfect accompaniment to raw oysters. As a matter of fact, I believe this Prosecco to be the perfect appetizer wine. This would go great with oysters, or even a spicy ceviche or gazpacho.

One thing I can tell you for sure is that it pairs very well with good Italian Prosciutto—I tried it myself. If you are ever invited to an afternoon patio party, you will be a hero for bringing some Prosecco. And as hard as it is to pair wine with spicy Thai food, this Prosecco will not interfere with the flavor but will surely help you put out the fire if you need to.

The Prosecco I tried was Moletto and is available for around $20, so pick some up and enjoy. With the zippy freshness of this wine, you may not need lemon for the oysters! A Domani!

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