Prosecco suffers from a problem of perception. Up until 2009, the name could refer to either the grape or the wine, allowing producers outside of the wine’s historic northern Italian home to use Prosecco grapes and bottle it as such. The grape was officially renamed Glera to help differentiate and protect the Prosecco DOC, which is further divided into smaller regions representing higher tiers of quality. Today, even top expressions can be found for around $40. And many quality, historically minded producers offer their fruit-forward, food-friendly wines for $20 or less.
Cinzano Prosecco DOC
Easy to find, easy to drink, and a steal for the price, the Prosecco from historic Italian winemakers Cinzano (better known for their vermouths) is a textbook representation of the wine. Perfectly fizzy, fruit-forward with flavors of pear and green apple, and noticeably sweet but with a dry finish, the Prosecco is delightful sipped solo but would also make an ideal mimosa. $13.99, wine.com
Case Paolin Col Fondo
The col fondo method sees secondary fermentation in the bottle without disgorging the lees, creating a slightly cloudy wine, often with slightly sour, earthier flavors. Case Paolin’s organic Col Fundo is made in the Asolo Prosecco DOCG with Glera grapes from 30-year-old vines. The wine opens with pleasant aromas of hay and is very dry on the palate, carrying the tart bitterness of citrus rind with a clean and refreshing finish. $24.99, wine.com
Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze
The Superiore di Cartizze DOCG is
This Article was originally published on IMBIBE Magazine
