Everything You Need to Know About Italian Sparkling Wine
If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of bubbly, there’s a good chance it was from Italy. With its flair, assortment, and personality, Italian sparkling wine shines. If you love wine, or are beginning to learn to love wine, learning will only help you to enjoy them that much more. We run down the primary sorts and how to make them, as well as the best ways to drink them.
Varieties of Italian Sparkling Wine
Not every Italian sparkling wine is the same. Each has its own feel, taste and back story.
Prosecco
It is the best known Italian sparkling wine. It’s made from the Glera grape, and typically tastes light, fruity and fresh. People love it for party time, or just casual dinner, because it’s so easy to drink. You can purchase various sweetness levels of Prosecco — Brut (dry), Extra Dry, or even a little sweet; otherwise it’s considered Demi-Sec.
Franciacorta
That’s because while it is made in the Lombardy region, Franciacorta is produced with the same method as Champagne. This means that it undergoes a second fermentation process in the bottle to give it extra depth and flavour. You’ll frequently detect notes of bread and nuts and a toasty finish. It feels more rich and complex than your standard bubble.
Lambrusco
This one’s a bit different. Lambrusco comes from the grape of the same name and can be sweet or dry. It’s light, gently effervescent, and turns out to be very food-friendly. If you’re enjoying cured meats, if you’re eating pasta, if you’re having pizza, Lambrusco as a fun thing that brings something else to the table.
Trento DOC
Trento DOC wines, which come from the north in the Trentino-Alto Adige, are also made in the traditional method. Their small bubbles, clean flavor, and fresh acidity will be familiar to anyone who has ever had a bottle of the château bottled wines. These are wines that frequently feel polished and not too ponderous.
How They Make the Bubbles
There is one thing that all sparkling wines share: bubbles. But they are not all made alike. There are two primary processes used in Italy.
The Tank Method (Charmat)
This is how Prosecco is made. It’s carbonated not in bottles, but in large pressurised tanks. It is during this second fermentation that the bubbles develop. The result? A fresh, fruity wine for enjoying young.
The Traditional Method (Metodo Classico)
This is the method employed for wines like Franciacorta and Trento DOC. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle. That’s what creates the wine’s fine bubbles and layers of flavour. It’s a slightly longer, slower process, but yields a smoother, more elegant drink.
Ways to Drink Italian Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine isn’t only for special occasions. You can enjoy it so many ways, whether you’re having dinner with a friend, or even chilling by yourself on the weekend.
Perfect for Celebrations
And when they think of celebration, they think of bubbles. Whether you’re celebrating New Year’s or simply toasting a pal’s victory, sparkling wine is exactly right. Pop a cold bottle of Prosecco and it’s a party.
Food Pairing Ideas
These are wines to snack on, and then some. Prosecco is perfect with seafood, light starters or even a nice salad. Franciacorta, more complex, pairs nicely with creamy dishes and roasted meats. Lambrusco’s fruitiness has made it a normal pairing with pizza, grilled vegetables or cured meats.
Serving It Right
Sparkling wine is best cold — but not too cold. Prosecco should be served at between 7 and 10°C, and for Franciacorta and Trento DOC, go slightly warmer (10 to 13°C or so). In order to keep those bubbles going, use flute glasses or narrow wine glasses.
Where to Buy Italian Sparkling Wines
These wines can be found almost anywhere by now — bottle shops, online retailers, even your neighborhood grocery. There are lots of options, choices that range from modest to luxurious. And for those in search of a particular variety or just a few, different flowers, online retailers tend to have a wider array.
A Sparkling World to Explore
The sparkling wine of Italy has something for almost everyone. Light and crisp is Prosecco if that’s your style. Looking for something a little bit more layered? Try Franciacorta. After a playful, food-friendly drink? Lambrusco has you covered. Each provides a different mood and flavor, but all make the moment a little more special, wherever it fits into the day.
So the next time you’re perusing the shelves or preparing a dinner, you might give a bottle of Italian sparkling wine, rather than the predictable, a second thought. No matter your taste or the moment — and there are certainly moments now — you’ll find something to make it shine just a bit more.
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