Prosecco the next big thing

Mark Henderson
Mark Henderson
Wine reviewer Mark Henderson finds there's much to praise about prosecco.

On a recent trip to the UK, my long-retired mother in-law admitted to succumbing to an extra bit of decadence in her life.

She usually restricts her drinking to one small glass of sweet sherry a week, but confided that she and her 92-year-old best friend have taken to having a glass of prosecco at their weekly lunch at Marks and Spencer.

Once I got over the shock of her drinking her way through my wife's inheritance, I began to marvel at just how popular prosecco has become!

In recent years, it has taken the United Kingdom by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing drinks categories.

You'll find it in every supermarket and off-licence, every wine bar, restaurant and pub and the thirst for it shows no sign of abating.

It's also huge in the US and the rest of Europe and garnering a growing following in both Australia (where they are now making their own) and in New Zealand.

If you haven't seen prosecco yet: you will! Hailing from northeast Italy, prosecco is both a grape variety and a wine style.

It is sparkling, with a lower level of fizz and without as much of the yeasty/biscuity notes that you find in Champagne. It has lower acidity so tends to be softer and while still generally dry, is a fruit-driven style with fruit sweetness apparent in some.

All in all, a very appealing wine style with the added bonus of being great value.

With Christmas and summer entertaining coming up, there are times where, quite frankly, your guests just want something wet.

Prosecco offers European sophistication, yet remains easy on the pocket and remarkably easy to drink.

A chance to splash out, without splashing out, if you know what I mean.

 


NV Jacobs Creek Reserve Prosecco (Australia)

Price: RRP $17.30
Rating: Very good

Fragrant and ripely fruited: tropical fruits and warm baguette. Hints of talc with time. Spiced pears on the palate with Fruit Jubes. Fresh and zesty with a noticeable fruit sweetness. Very easy drinking this and a nice overall package. The sweetest of the three.

www.jacobscreek.com

 

 

 

 

2014 Canti Prosecco (Italy)

Price: $15-$17
Rating: Very good

Some bready yeasty notes here with subtle white roses and lime zest characters. Good mousse; ripe apple and a hint of sweet balsamic. Crisp and bright in the mouth with baked apples on the finish. A subtle note akin to Sour Worm lollies appears on the finish giving a little zing. The driest of the three.

www.cantiwine.com

 

 

 

 

NV Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco (Italy)

Price: $15-$17
Rating: Very good to excellent

Preserved lemons with a whisper of apricot. Subtle nose but rather attractive: bush roses come with time. Great mousse. Mouthfilling richness; powerful baked apples. Nicely balanced with excellent length of flavour. Quite a lot going on here. Just a whisper off dry.

www.villasandi.it

 

 


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