PROSECCO MILLESIMATO, CUVÉE OR SUPERIOR OF CARTIZZE? THE PROSECCO WORLD GUIDE!

The meaning of Prosecco millesimato (vintage prosecco) is linked to the year of production and how many words of the wine world comes from the French language, namely the word “millésimée" whose translation is millesimato o vintage. The term, in fact, indicates that a wine is produced with wines of an identical vintage at least for 85%. Attention, the reference vintage must be stated on the label!

Let's talk about sparkling wine because the vintage is not typical only of prosecco. Indeed, in fact, all the prosecco is almost always millesimato because it is a young wine usually produced with grapes of the same vintage. Why then the term Prosecco millesimato (vintage prosecco) is indicated on the labels by almost all the cellars? This is because the term has assumed a different meaning in these years with regard to prosecco and indicates particular care in the choice of production areas or in aging times. After having clarified the meaning of Prosecco millesimato, let's move on to other characteristics of this wine.

The meaning of Prosecco millesimato and cuvée are exactly opposite. Unlike Millesimato, Cuvée indicates a wine obtained by assembling different grapes and vintages. The mixture allows to obtain a product that enhances the different grapes, hiding the defects and enhancing the qualities

As mentioned, the meaning of Prosecco millesimato or Vintage prosecco refers to the vintage and in fact almost always characterizes the production of prosecco wine and, by itself, it would not guarantee better quality. In fact, however, it has become synonymous with quality as the vinification in purity (with grapes of the same vintage) is more difficult: you cannot cut the wine with grapes from other years, and then the producers use the best grapes for these bottles. In this sense, we can say that not necessarily the Prosecco millesimato is the best but this feature is generally a guarantee of excellent quality.

Describing the meaning of Prosecco millesimato or Vintage Prosecco we said that this term is typical of sparkling wines. Do you know the difference between sparkling wine and Prosecco? The two terms are not synonymous: sparkling wine indicates a category of wines that, when opened, produce foam. Prosecco falls into the category of sparkling wines but is produced in a well-defined area between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The difference between Prosecco wine and sparkling wine is therefore linked to the territory and to the vines. The sparkling wine can be produced anywhere, while the Prosecco, which is a DOC or DOCG wine, only with some vines: Glera, Verdiso, Pinot white, black, gray and only with the Charmat method, while to produce other sparkling wines also the classic method (Champenoise) can be used.

Regardless of the difference between prosecco millesimato and cuvée, you may have wondered what the differences between Prosecco Doc and Docg are. Both denominations are regulated by the law which guarantees compliance with particular procedures and quality standards in production. In the case of Prosecco sparkling wine, the denomination Doc guarantees that the wine is made of 85% with the Glera vine but in a wider, interregional area, which includes 5 provinces of Veneto (Treviso, Belluno, Padua, Venice, Vicenza) and 4 provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia (Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine, Trieste).

Prosecco DOCG is made in a much smaller area between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano; in the area of Asolo it is produced Prosecco Superiore Asolo DOCG. The denomination DOCG in addition to restricting the territory of origin defines other characteristics such as the maximum quantity of grapes per hectare and the maximum yield of grapes in wine (70%).

The quantity of residual sugar in the Prosecco sparkling wine (Prosecco millesimato or cuvée Prosecco) is obviously not left to chance but is skilfully defined by the winemaker to obtain the desired characteristics. When you ask the meaning of extra dry Prosecco wine, the answer refers to the amount of sugar per liter that in this case must be between 12 and 17 grams per liter.

The classification for residual sugar is regulated by the law as follows:

• Pas dosé and Brut nature <3
• Extra Brut 0-6
• Brut 6-12
• Extra dry 12-17
• Sec, Dry or Dry 17-32
• Demi sec or bite 32-50
• Sweet or doux> 50

The classification for residual sugar and other characteristics of Prosecco sparkling wine are defined by the Veneto Region Disciplinary

Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Conegliano is certainly the best known and sold among prosecco wines. But what are the prosecco areas? This Veneto wine is produced in a circumscribed area of ​​15 municipalities since the introduction of the DOC in 1969. It is a hilly area that includes Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, 50 km from Venice and about 100 km from the Dolomites. In this territory, which has a temperate climate and constant ventilation, has found its perfect environment the Glera vine which forms the basis of the Valdobbiadene Prosecco wine. The grapes of Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Conegliano must come from 85% of the Glera vine, the remaining 15% may consist of other grapes: Pinot Bianco, Grigio, Nero and Chardonnay alone or jointly from the Prosecco area.

• Color: straw yellow, more or less intense, brilliant, with evident development of bubbles.
• Aroma: pleasant and characteristic of fruity;
• Taste: fresh, harmonious, pleasantly sparkling, fruity;
• Minimum total alcohol content by volume: 10.50% vol

Prosecco Valdobbiadene Conegliano is produced in the Brut, Extra Dry and Dry versions.

Rive translates shores. The term “shores" in the local dialect indicates the steepest hills. The Prosecco Rive is therefore obtained from the steepest and most suitable vineyards with grapes coming from a single municipality or a fraction of it. Pay attention to the label because in order to use this definition the municipality or the fraction of origin of the vine must be reported. The shores in the Valdobbiadene area are 43 in total and the maximum allowed production of grapes per hectare drops to 13 tonnes and is exclusively hand-picked.

Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze comes from a territory of only 106 hectares between the steepest hills of San Pietro di Barbozza, Santo Stefano and Saccol, in the municipality of Valdobbiadene. These lands have a particular slope and exposure to the south that creates a natural amphitheater very appreciated both from the point of view of the landscape and from the point of view of the quality of the grapes produced.

• Color: straw yellow, more or less intense, brilliant, with persistent mousse
• Aroma: pleasant and characteristic of fruity
• Taste: fresh, harmonious, pleasantly fruity, characteristic

Minimum total alcohol content by volume: 11.50% vol

Although the Prosecco of Valdobbiadene Conegliano is certainly the best known, there are other production areas and other Prosecco vines that give life to good and sometimes excellent quality products. Indeed, just inside the other areas considered DOC can be found cellars that produce real “goodies" not to be missed.

Less well known than the Prosecco of Valdobbiadene Conegliano, the Prosecco of Asolo is produced with grapes from a territory limited to 19 municipalities around the charming village of Asolo in the Veneto region. In this area, the Glera vine has found its ideal soil, which makes up 85% of the grapes needed to produce it for Asolo Prosecco. The remaining 15% may consist of the Verdiso, Bianchetta trevigiana, Perera and Glera Lunga vines.

Prosecco di Asolo is a DOCG wine and can be found in the following categories: DOCG Asolo Prosecco, DOCG Asolo Prosecco “sparkling" and DOCG Asolo Prosecco “Spumante Superiore".

Few people know this but Prosecco wine in this region has ancient historical roots and the term Prosecco comes from the homonymous locality located in the province of Trieste.

Prosecco sparkling wine, whether it is Prosecco millesimato or cuvée, is a young wine, easy to drink and very popular all over the world. His is a success in continuous expansion thanks to a price accessible to all budgets, especially when compared to the bubbles of French cousins such as champagne. The price of a bottle of Prosecco sparkling wine can start from 3 euros and on average does not exceed 10 euros. Only the highest quality productions reach 15 or 20 euros. In any case it is possible to buy bottles of excellent quality Prosecco Doc or Docg, also vintage, at prices between 8 and 15 euros.

Thanks to its characteristics, Prosecco sparkling wine (both Prosecco millesimato and Prosecco cuvée) is a very used wine in the preparation of cocktails, in particular the now very popular Spritz, widespread especially in its version with Aperol, or Hugo based on Prosecco and Sambuco syrup.

But the prosecco-based cocktails are many suitable for many occasions such as Christmas parties, in this regard you can find some ideas in our post The cocktails with prosecco to try during the holidays.

Our short trip to the world of Prosecco ends here (at least for now!), We hope to have helped you to better understand the meaning of Prosecco millesimato, the differences between the latter and the cuvée and to have you passionate a little more to this world because, after all, when we know its characteristics and history better, our glass of prosecco is even better, right?

Gustorotondo Newsletter informs you about good Italian food, Italian recipes and cuisine, Italian artisan producers, tasty & healthy food products and exclusive offers.