It sparkles like champagne, but Prosecco is not champagne — nor does it pretend to be. Other than bubbles, this gentle, appealing, easy-drinking sparkling wine from northeastern Italy has little in common with its sophisticated cousin. Prosecco is a little lower in alcohol (11 to 12 degrees), a lot lower in price (the most expensive costs $15 to $20), rarely bone-dry, usually nonvintage, brimming with inviting fruit flavors and ready to drink when you buy it. And Italians are often ready to drink it, downing a glass the way Americans down a Coke or Pepsi.
Made from the Prosecco grape grown in the steep hills of the Treviso province, about 30 miles north of Venice, this light and lively bubbly is filled with hints of pear, melon, apricot and peach. The best of them carry the name Prosecco di Valdobbiadene — and one of the absolute best of the best is Maschio Dei Cavalieri. Light-bodied, lemon-yellow and refreshing with lively, long-lasting bubbles, it offers a fruit basket of inviting aromas dominated by pear.
Equally inviting is Nino Franco Rustico. Rounder and slightly more fuller-bodied, it enchants with a perfume reminiscent of a flower garden, a perfume that follows through to its long, satisfying finish.
Montesel also produces a fine Prosecco with great fruit in the nose, followed by a well-balanced, slightly drier taste. One of the relatively few brut Proseccos comes from Bisol Desiderio, an interesting wine that offers the ripe fruitiness of Prosecco and is clean, well focused and dry to the taste.
Other Proseccos worth a try are Adami, a pretty, upper-class sparkler whose grapes come from a single vineyard, and Astoria, which is bright, playful and charming.
When and how to enjoy Prosecco? Chill it well. Sip it as an aperitif. Drink it with light seafood, especially shellfish. Partner it with a mild cheese and fresh fruit. Play with it on a lazy afternoon. Down it with Sunday brunch. And definitely, in this month of St. Valentine, fill a flute with it at a romantic, candlelit dinner. Prosecco, in short, is a year-round, all-time pleasure.
Read This Next
November 2006 Cover
2006 / November 2006
Nov 1, 2006Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Jun 6, 2023Hyatt’s Best Rooftops, Experiences for Summer 2023
Hyatt Hotels & Resorts invites travelers to enjoy the summer season with a lineup of fun activities and rooftop experiences.
Leisure Lifestyle 2023
Jun 6, 2023Time to Unwind
I recently returned from my second annual golf trip to Kiawah Island, where we enjoyed fantastic weather. Upon arrival, the group met for lunch at The Ryder Cup Bar, located at The Ocean Course, one of the top-ranked courses in the country. Luckily, we were not playing that day, as the wind whipped up and brought unscheduled douses of rain. As one of the caddies told me, wind gusts of 35 mph made the course unplayable. But some players braved the conditions as we sat comfortably inside enjoying our first lunch of the trip while chairs cascaded outside and players tried to keep their shots on track.
Daily
Jun 6, 2023Stockholm’s Fotografiska Museum Brings Photography to Life
For travelers looking for a unique museum experience in Stockholm, Sweden, head to Fotografiska, The Contemporary Museum of Photography Art & Culture. Fotografiska is a living and vibrant place where photography comes to life. The museum features photography and visual arts from around the world by all types of artists, from well-known photographers to newer generations of artists.
Sponsored Content
Treasure Every Moment in The Islands of Tahiti
Welcome to The Islands of Tahiti, where every moment is a treasure waiting to be discovered. From the moment you arrive, you will be greeted with warm hospitality, time-honored traditions and an awe-inspiring landscape that will take your breath away.
Leisure Lifestyle 2023
Jun 6, 2023Global Traveler Announces the Winners of the 2023 Leisure Lifestyle Awards
Welcome to our 11th Leisure Lifestyle Awards, an annual survey honoring the best in the world of leisure and lifestyle travel, awarding goods, services, destinations, hotels, airlines, airports, cruises and more. Read on to find out the winners in this year’s milestone ranking, and congratulations to all the winners!
Visit Chapel of the Bones in Evora, Portugal
Daily
Jun 5, 2023Rafael Nadal’s ZEL Mallorca to Open July 1
Daily
Jun 5, 2023Daily
Jun 2, 2023San Antonio, Texas, Preserves Architectural Beauty for Future Generations
In San Antonio, Texas, old buildings are seldom destroyed. When they fall into disrepair, they are instead repurposed and restored to maintain the city’s history and traditions for future generations to appreciate. Whether it’s a former brewery or bank transforming into a chic hotel or a candy factory evolving into stylish lofts, this Texas city embraces both history and sustainability.
Sponsored Content
What Business Travel Looks Like Now From Those Who Know It Best
Pack your bags, traveling for business is making a comeback — and the role of the corporate travel manager is more important than ever.
Daily
Jun 2, 2023Here’s How to Arrive in Style to the World’s Most Unforgettable Hotels
Make a grand entrance to these equally grand hotels:
ShareThis