When Italian sparkling wines are mentioned, the first one that usually comes to mind is Asti spumanti. Take it from us: There are hosts of other Italian sparkling wines that deserve mention that are neither very sweet nor totally dry but reside between the two.
To begin, a translation of Asti spumanti is called for. Asti is the northwestern district of Italy where that particular sparkler comes from, while spumanti is the Italian word for sparkling wine, which incorporates many more wines than just the wine from Asti.
Prosecco is a class of sparkling wine among the most popular coming from Italy. They are directed toward wine enthusiasts who prefer a drink loaded with character rather than one with the basic attributes of sweetness and massive fruit flavors. Prosecco also is a style of wine that can beautifully accompany every form of Italian food, which, as you already know, is a humongous category.
Valdo Prosecco ($11) This wine fills the uncomfortable position between inexpensive, bulk-made sparkling wines and super-premium French Champagnes.
The exotic fruit flavors and aromas in Valdo Prosecco have a tropical nature. The flavors of pineapple and peach predominate, followed with a honey and almond background. There also are familiar yeasty overtones and a crispness matched by few wines. This wine should not be reserved strictly for special occasions, but can and should be served with almost any meal of any nationality.
Villa Sandi Prosecco ($13)The Villa Sandi Prosecco is a high-quality sparkling wine that can stand head-and-shoulders with the best of them.
Two things are immediately noticeable when the wine is poured: its greenish-golden color and a constant stream of very fine bubbles, both signs of a better sparkling wine. The aroma is a compendium of summer flowers with honeysuckle being the most obvious. The flavor is crisp with a pleasant, lemon-like effect backed up by a fresh, bread-like sensation that ends in a swirl of toasted nuts. All of these aromas, with the addition of grapefruit and spice, are reprised in the flavor.
Val D’oca Prosecco ($12)Val D’oca is an easy one to spot among the others on dealers' shelves, as it comes in a blue bottle. It is a wine displaying all the beauties and flavors one seeks in sparkling wines, but at a very affordable price.
The Val D’oca Prosecco is a bright, happy wine with a subtle aroma of pear, apricot, peach and grilled pineapple. It's a characteristic of prosecco grapes that carries over to the flavor, is amplified by bubbles and continues on to a pleasantly crisp, exceptionally fruity finish. This wine is perfect for dishes made with either red or white sauces and most definitely with cheese-based foods.
Barefoot Prosecco ($7)Not to be outdone by the Italians, Barefoot of California is now offering its own version of prosecco - made and bottled in Italy. This wine, although very affordable - as are all Barefoot wines - upholds and glorifies the prosecco style of wine.
This is an extra dry sparkling wine, a term somebody in the “way back when” hung on sparkling wines that were on the sweeter side rather than totally dry. It displays a pale straw color and offers an aroma and flavor of pineapple and pear, with a background of orange and other citrus flavors. Clean and crisp with a long, satisfying finish, this wine can easily brighten any meal, is a standout at backyard barbecues, and even, believe it or not, tailgate parties.
Nixa resident Bennet Bodenstein is a wine columnist and manages
ArticlesOnWine.com. He can be reached at
frojhe1@att.net.
