From twinkling lights to glitzy fashion, the holiday season is all about the sparkles, especially when it comes to the bubbles in your glass. The famous Italian sparkler’s fresh and elegant personality, its versatility, and the ability to elevate your everyday lifestyle–the “Made In Italy Lifestyle”—are just some of the many reasons you should be toasting during the holiday season with Prosecco DOC.
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WHAT IS PROSECCO DOC?
While Prosecco is Italy’s most famous sparkling wine, not just any Italian sparkling can call itself Prosecco DOC. The wine enjoys a protected geographic designation label of DOC, short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, or “controlled designation of origin.”
Named after the former village of Prosecco, Prosecco DOC is exclusively produced in a limited area of northeastern Italy. According to E.U. law, Prosecco can come from just nine provinces in two Italian regions, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The Prosecco-producing area is defined by its setting between the blue Adriatic Sea and the soaring Dolomite mountains.
The flavor profile in Prosecco DOC is extremely aromatic and fruit-driven, often with rich notes of fresh apples, peaches, pears, and melon, as well as jasmine flowers, orange or acacia blossoms, nuts, and fresh-baked bread.
All Prosecco must be made with at least 85% Glera grapes. It is Glera that creates the delicate aromas of jasmine and orange blossom, as well as the notes of green apples, pears, citrus, and exotic fruit, and it is Glera that is responsible for the light, elegant body. While some Prosecco producers do make 100% Glera wines, the remaining 15% can include the familiar varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Nero, or the more obscure local grapes such as Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, or Glera Lunga.
Prosecco is produced using the Charmat method (also known as “Charmat-Martinotti”), a process first developed in 1895 by Italy’s Federico Martinotti and improved a decade later by the Frenchman Eugène Charmat. Instead of producing the bubbles with the second fermentation in the bottle, a process sometimes used to produce the semi-sparkling version, the more modern method involves re-fermenting the wine in stainless steel tanks, where the bubbles are naturally created by the yeasts eating the sugar and creating CO2 and alcohol. Afterward the yeast is filtered out, and the sparkling wine is bottled.
WHY TOAST WITH PROSECCO DOC?
Versatility. Prosecco has a fresh and lively structure, which allows it to be the perfect pairing to any cuisine or on its own for a celebratory toast.
Everyday drinking. It’s fresh, light, and approachable, making Prosecco the ultimate choice for a holiday season full of celebrations and get-togethers.
Italian “lifestyle.” Made in Italy is a symbol of a high-quality product, elevated lifestyle, and an emotional connection to the land and culture from which it originates. Toasting with a glass of Prosecco DOC can instantly transport you to Italy.
HOW TO TELL IF YOU’RE DRINKING THE REAL PROSECCO DOC
It is pretty easy to spot authentic Prosecco, as Italian law mandates a state sticker guaranteeing DOC status on the bottle opening itself to prevent it from possibly being reused. More importantly, real Prosecco is never sold in cans or on draft. With its E.U. quality-assurance standard, all Prosecco DOC must be produced and sold exclusively in glass bottles. Legally, the back of the bottle must also state the two phrases: “Prosecco DOC” and “Product of Italy.”
WINES TO TRY OR GIFT THIS SEASON
Bottega Gold Prosecco DOC
SRP: $29.99
Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco DOC
SRP: $15
Val D’oca Prosecco DOC
SRP: $12.99
Valdo “Marca Oro” Prosecco DOC
SRP: $13
Perlage “Sgajo” Prosecco DOC Treviso (organic, vegan wine)
SRP: $16.99
MIX IT UP WITH THESE FUN HOLIDAY COCKTAILS
The Bellini
INGREDIENTS
2 oz. fresh peach purée, 4 oz Prosecco, white peaches
PREPARATION
Pour peach puree into chilled flute, add Prosecco. Stir gently.
Aperol Spritz
INGREDIENTS
Prosecco with a shot of Aperol, or another bitter liqueur, soda water
PREPARATION
Pour 1 oz. of the bitter liqueur over ice, pour Prosecco to fill, and add a splash of soda water. Garnish with orange peel.
Negroni Sbagliato
INGREDIENTS
1oz. Campari, 1 oz. sweet vermouth, 1 oz. Prosecco(or more to taste), ice, orange peel
PREPARATION
Pour the Campari and sweet vermouth into an ice-filled glass and stir. Top with Prosecco, garnish with orange peel, and serve.
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