On the nose this Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG presents the apple and pear aroma (or white peach, depending on your point of reference) typical of Glera, the main grape variety used to produce Prosecco (at least 85% of the blend).
The apple-pear marriage is apparent in the mouth as well, where the high acidity is nicely balanced by the effervescence. This combination gives as result an agreeable wine that’s very easy to drink and enjoy.
The simplicity of Prosecco is probably one of its main strengths, since it makes it palatable even to people that are not really into wine. The fact that most Proseccos are dirty cheap is certainly another major reason that makes this ordinary wine hugely popular. So popular that a couple of years ago the Consortium of Prosecco Producers has decided to increase the overall production to meet the rise in demand, especially from abroad. 75% of the Prosecco production is in fact exported, mainly to the UK, the USA and Germany.
Obviously, not all Proseccos are the same, neither in price nor in quality. Cartizze is at the top of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG quality pyramid and is considered to be the Prosecco’s Grand Cru. This is the denomination where the Glera grape delivers its best, as can be proven by this wine produced by Valdo and sold for 13.40 EUR.
While the bulk of Prosecco DOC is grown in an extended area on low-lying plains, Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG is grown exclusively on hillside vineyards. Although from my experience the correlation between price and quality is anything but linear, below a certain price it becomes difficult to distinguish between Prosecco and acidic sparkling water.
As a reminder, Prosecco is usually produced using the Charmat-Martinotti method, in which the secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, making the wine substantially less expensive to produce than with the Classic Method, where the secondary fermentation is carried out directly in the bottle.
A final note: Prosecco is a wine that should be drunk as young as possible, ageing compromising its freshness.
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Grapes: Glera
Type: Sparkling
Vintage: N/A
Producer: Valdo
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5