You have undoubtedly heard of Prosecco, the most famous and popular sparkling wine produced in Italy. The largest Prosecco producing wine region is Conegliano Valdobbiadene, although it also produced in the smaller Colli Aslant region. Prosseco is made from Giera grapes, grown in the cool climate of the Veneto. Prosseco can be produced in a variety of sweetnesss levels, but the traditional variety is Extra Dry with flowery aromas.
But the list of Italian sparkling wines is much broader than just Prosecco.
The second most popular Italian sparkling wine is Asti, a sweet sparkling wine made exclusively from Moscato grapes. Asti is produced in the Piedmont region in northern Italy. The wine is fermented in pressurized tanks, which creates the fizzy bubbles. Asti is often served as an after dinner beverage, sometimes alongside dessert.
Lambrusco is another Italian sparkling wine and grape varietal, produced in the Emlia Romagna regions. While most people think of white sparkling wines, Lambrusco is traditionally a red sparkling wine. The wine is produced via the Chamat method, which means there are two fermentation processes, the second of which takes place in a pressurized tank. Lambrusco tends to be a dry wine with almost beer-like qualities such as a yeasty flavor and a hint of bitterness.
Nebbiolo is one of the oldest grape varietals, from which the world famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines are produced. But modern Italian winemakers are now experimenting with producing Italian sparkling wines from this grape as well. Nebbiolo grapes are difficult to grow and thus large limited to Northwest Italy, making them a prized grape for winemakers. If you spot one of these new sparkling Nebbiolo wines, it’s worth giving it a try!
Trento, in Northern Italy is one of the oldest areas producing Italian sparkling wine. Giulio Ferrari began the tradition here, seeking to create an Italian sparkling wine that could be compared to the great French Champagnes. Trento is produced using the classic champagne method, which includes a secondary fermentation process that happens right in the bottle. The wine is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero grapes. Trento sparkling wines are fantastic wines to pair with a meal. Ferrari and Cembra are excellent brands to try. (For more details on the Champagne method and origin, check out this short Chardonnay guide)
Franciacorta is another Italian sparkling wine from the Lombardy region. It is produced using the Champagne method, which includes a secondary fermentation process in the bottle. The These are generally dry wines, with little to no sweetness, making it a great wine to pair with food. Excellent producers include Barone Pizzini and Bellavista.
This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Italian sparkling wines are produced in just about every wine region in the country. So next time you need some bubblies – give one of these Italian sparkling wines a try!