Well, it’s another typical August day in Washington: hot and humid — like living in the mouth of a dog … except without the doggie breath. When it gets this sticky outside, it would be nice to be have a wine you can rely on to help you cool down on the inside. Fortunately, Washingtonians can take a break from the heat with a wine that has been helping wine-savvy Italians cool down for decades: Prosecco.
Prosecco isn’t just a wine, it’s also a grape varietal and a place. In short, it is a white wine — usually sparkling — made from the Prosecco grape which is grown in and around the village of Prosecco in the Veneto region of Italy, just a short one-hour drive north of Venice. The area is beautiful, with picturesque hillsides blanketed with vineyards and pristine rural vistas.
But Prosecco isn’t known just for the drama of its landscapes. The 12,000-acre region is well suited to the production of sparkling wine. The steep slopes of the hills between the communes of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are well drained, and the cool breeze off the Alps combined with the warm air blowing in off the Adriatic Sea create an environment ideal for preserving the acidity and aromas in the grapes.
Prosecco takes full advantage of this gift by producing crisp, thirst-quenching and brisk wines that are made to be refreshing and light. But it is different from other sparkling wines, like, say, Champagne. For example, Champagne undergoes a secondary fermentation in the bottle, where it is contact with the yeast for at least a year, imparting a “yeasty” or “baked bread” quality. Prosecco, on the other hand, employs the Charmat method, named for the French oenologist who developed the technique. The secondary fermentation takes place under pressure in large stainless steel tanks for a shorter period of time, which allows the wine to retain a fresher, fruitier personality with lots of acidity and minerality that keeps it light and bright on the tongue.
Even though Prosecco is great for keeping cool, it’s really heating up. Sales of Prosecco have enjoyed double digit in the United States during the last several years. One of the reasons for its rise in popularity is that Prosecco is incredibly versatile. It’s great on it’s own as an aperitif or with spicier cuisine. It’s wonderful with sushi. But the one thing it is known for in it’s native Italy is that it is one of the few wines that pairs well with asparagus, so it’s perfect for this time of the year. But no matter what you pair with Prosecco, make sure you serve it well-chilled in a fluted wine glass so you can enjoy the bubbles. Retail prices are approximate.
Non-Vintage Zardetto Brut Prosecco di Conegliano, Italy ($13)
The fine-toned bubbles carry scents of fragrant floral notes and ripe nectarine on the bouquet. The stylized palate features layered notes of crisp green apple, delicate pear and expressive peach and nectarine. The abundant acidity keeps this fresh and focused. It would be great served with shellfish or with local fare of fried fish and asparagus.
Non-Vintage Garbel Prosecco 13, Italy ($15)
This is a nice, easy wine to enjoy, with scents of roasted almonds and yeast on the pleasant nose. A citrus-based frame carries flavors of nectarine, peach and orange zest with a medium finish featuring hints of roasted nuts.
Non-Vintage Carpene Malvolti Prosecco, Italy ($16)
This wine has a pretty straw color in the glass and scents of green apples and fresh baked bread on the nose. In the mouth, it delivers flavors of crisp apples, nectarines and tangy citrus. The zesty bubbles keep the finish bright, clean and refreshing. I like to think of it as my very own wine-based fire extinguisher.
Non-Vintage Canella Extra Dry Prosecco, Italy ($17)
This appealing wine has loads of floral notes on the bouquet and delivers flavors of ripe peach and tangy citrus with polish and panache on the palate. This wine — with its medium bubbles — is so refreshing and does such a great job cooling you off; you just might want to drink it outside in the heat. It’s a great match for both your wallet and your pallet.
Non-Vintage Fantinel Brut Prosecco, Italy ($17)
A very stylish version that displays abundant nectarine and citrus notes on the nose and in the mouth. The finish is lush, smooth and just a tad off-dry, where hints of citrus are a nice counter balance to the slightly sweet notes. It’s great as an aperitif and as well with Thai or Chinese food.
Non-Vintage Aneri Brut Prosecco, Veneto, Italy ($20)
This sparkling wine displays a vibrant bouquet of green-apple and nectarines. The palate displays flavors of green apple, nectarine and pear with a very dry, crisp finish. Hints of Myer lemon and grapefruit on the tail end keep the wine crisp, flavorful and refreshing.
