Italian Prosecco

The grape varietal commonly known as “prosecco” or more traditionally known as “glera” is used to produce a fruity, simple, and refreshing sparkling wine that comes form northern Italy and is called “prosecco.” The steep slopes of northern Italy lead to the production of a light and fruity bubbling wine, often compared to champagne. The areas of Italy that are known for the production of prosecco are Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, which are part of the larger region of Veneto (Mionetto Prosecco, n.d.). Because of the frequency and slope of the hills in Veneto, prosecco thrives in this region versus the flatlands. The vines are protected from the cold alpine winds and icy rains from the north because of this slope (Mionetto Prosecco, n.d.). This location’s climate has characteristically hot days and cool nights with warm and dry summers. An interesting fact about prosecco is that the final result is comprised of 100% prosecco (or glera) grapes (BusinessWeek Online, 2006). In contrast, champagne is comprised of a combination of chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier grape varietals. Prosecco sparkling wines are intended to be drank young. It is usually a process of around 60 days from harvest to bottling and distribution. Unlike champagne where aging is a required process in the production, prosecco is bottled and distributed immediately upon completion. Once prosecco hits the stores, it has a shelf life of less than a year to be drank before it takes on a yeast-like taste that makes drinking it unpleasant. Because of this, prosecco is produced and bottled on an as-need basis (BusinessWeek Online, 2006). The production of prosecco is less costly and quicker than that of champagne. Because of the strict rules and regulations in France, there are specific limitations put on the vineyards where the grapes are physically grown. In Italy, the grapes are allowed to grow in abundance on vines up to nine feet tall (Klara, 2013). There are even three to

References: International Business, T. (2013, July 2). Prosecco police goes undercover in Italy to safeguard fizzy white wine Passion for Prosecco. (n.d.). Retrieved March 5, 2014, from Mionetto Prosecco. Retrieved from: http://mionettoproseccousa.com/passion-for-prosecco/ Prosecco 's Friendly Bubbles. (2006). BusinessWeek Online, 1. Retrieved from: http://www.ebscohost.com The Best Prosecco to Buy in the U.S. (2010, June 18). Retrieved May 5, 2014, from The Wall Street Journal Ward, B. (2009, December 3). Prosecco 's popularity bubbles up. Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN) Weingarten, T. (2009). Battle of the Bubbles. Newsweek (Pacific Edition), 154(17), 59. Retrieved from: http://ebscohost.com.