Prosecco, Frizzante, and Champagne: The Ultimate Wine Guide

In the world of wines, there are many varieties out there. Wines are very delightful to taste as they don’t possess the harshness of regular alcohol. Wines have many flavors, giving them their signature after taste.

Depending on the region of the world they are made in there are many specialties that you can come across. Again, certain atmospheric and climate conditions can also affect the wine brewing process. Understanding these can help enhance the taste of the beverages and give you a rich experience.

But if we started talking about all the different kinds of wines in the world, we’d be here all day. So, for today’s discussion, we have three different wines in our lineup. We’ll be talking about Prosecco, Frizzante, and Champagne.

While two of these are made in Italy, the other is not. What other similarities and differences do they have? That’s what we’re here to find out. Let’s begin then.

Prosecco: The Sparkling Italian White Wine

Prosecco is a DOCG white wine that’s produced across nine provinces in Italy. The wine is named after the village of Prosecco which is located in the Trieste province in Italy. The wine is made from the Prosecco grape, which was later renamed Glera in 2009.

The wine is almost always made either sparkling or semi-sparkling. Sometimes it’s also made into still wine. Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene is the largest region known for the production of Prosecco.

The wine has a rich cultural history. But latest innovations and permissions from DOC, allow a rosé version of Processo. It’s called the Spumante Rosé. It’s a mixture of Glera with 10-15% of Pinot noir.

Production Process

The production of Prosecco is not done in the same way as something like Champagne. Prosecco is made using a different method which is called by the Italians as Charmat-Martinotti method.

The uniqueness of this method is in the fermentation process. Normally, fermentation of the wine takes place inside the individual bottles. But in the case of Prosecco, the fermentation occurs in large stainless steel tanks.

The benefit of doing it this way is the reduction of costs. It also takes less time to produce where you can have the wine ready in 30 days.

This is for the regular quality of Prosecco, however. If you want something of higher quality, you’ll have to wait for more than 30 days. High-quality Prosecco like this is fermented for about 9 months.

The wine is regulated to contain 15% of blends. This blend can have Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Perera, or Pinot Noir.

Depending on the sweetness of the Prosecco, the wine can be categorized into multiple types. Brut is classified as 12gm of sugar per litre. Then you have Extra Dry and Dry which contain 12-17 gm/litre and 17-32 gm/litre respectively.

Among the three types, Extra Dry is the most commonly made one. But the demand for Brut is also increasing day by day.

How Prosecco Is Consumed

Italians frequently use Prosecco. Not only is it common to drink it as a beverage, but Prosecco is also used in cooking giving the food a wonderful flavour of the wine.

In countries other than Italy, Prosecco is consumed as an aperitif. So, you would normally consume it before or after a meal, preferably dinner. And like any other sparkling wine, the drink is served chilled. Because that’s the optimum temperature to enjoy it.

By now you already know that Prosecco is not usually fermented in its own bottle. So that means there are certain variations that are fermented within. Col Fondo and Método Classico Prosecco are fermented in the bottles they come in.

But it is suggested by wine aficionados that Prosecco should be consumed young. The best time to enjoy it should be within 3-5 years of production. But for higher quality Prosecco, you can drink ones that have been aged for around 7 years.

You can drink Prosecco unmixed on its own. But it’s also enjoyed well mixed with other drinks. Bellini and Spritz Veneziano cocktails often mix Prosecco for their signature taste. Mimosas also contain Prosecco too.

Flavour of Prosecco

According to some critics, drinking aged Prosecco can ruin its flavour and distinct taste. But after a tasting, the longevity of the wines was proven and the claim was debunked.

Since Prosecco has a little alcohol content, the flavours of the wine really come through once you taste it. It has been described as an aromatic and crisp wine. You get notes of yellow apples, pears, white peaches, and apricot.

The aroma is one of the things that comes through quite strongly. It’s a pleasant aroma that makes it taste fresh and light. It’s also quite easy to consume, so light drinkers can enjoy it directly.

Top 10 Prosecco Brands

There are different brands of Prosecco out there. You’re free to enjoy whichever one tastes the best to you. But here are our top 10 picks.

1. Adami Garbèl Brut Prosecco
2. La Marca Prosecco
3. Cinzano Sparkling Wine Prosecco
4. Bocelli Prosecco
5. Ruffino Prosecco
6. Carpené Malvolti Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
7. Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore
8. Mionetto Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore
9. Stellina di Notte Prosecco 2011
10. Zonin Prosecco

Frizzante: A Wine or a Variant?

Frizzante is more of a variant of wine than a standalone variant itself. You can even have Prosecco Frizzante. But what exactly is it and how does it all tie together?

The main thing about Frizzante that stands apart is the effervescence. Frizzante wines are less bubbly and less fizzy. The bubbles subside soon after the drink is poured. This is because of the method the wine is made that this takes place.

Frizzante is called gently sparkling wines. But how is this achieved? Let’s look at that.

Production Process

The Frizzante wines are fermented in specialized pressurised tanks. The pressure used here is less when compared to something like Spumante and Champagne.

Frizzante needs to be under specific pressure for its less fizzy quality. The tank must have a pressure of anywhere between 1 and 2.5 bars of atmospheric pressure. And that’s not the only requirement. There’s also a fixed temperature that you need to keep in mind.

Frizzante is made at exactly 20 degrees. Any lower or higher than this temperature will ruin the signature quality that the wine has. These things need to be regulated in order to produce the perfect Frizzante wines.

Another thing that affects the fizz is the amount of sugar that’s added during the second fermentation process. The amount of sugar that turns into CO2 after reacting with the yeast determines the amount of fizz in the finished product.

How Frizzante is Consumed

Frizzante can be paired with any kind of food. Be it a food wine like Lambrusco, aperitifs like Prosecco, or dessert wines such as Asti. Frizzante is also reasonably priced, so anyone can enjoy a glass of it without breaking the bank.

Dishes ranging from tapas to salads to even something as heavy as roast chicken, you can enjoy Frizzante with almost anything.

Outside of Italy, Frizzante is known by many names. And because of its amazing and distinct flavour as well as the ability to compliment any dish, it can be enjoyed with any cuisine.

Flavour of Frizzante

You might be thinking that since Frizzante is less fizzy and has fewer bubbles, does that affect the taste of the wine itself? There are some who would suggest that, but it couldn’t be farther from the truth.

In reality, the amount of bubbles or fizz has no relation to the taste of a wine. But it does hit your mouth differently, so while the flavour is still preserved, the tasting experience is completely different.

The perception of aroma and flavour compounds in the wine will appear different because of the less fizz. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a tasty wine. Consumed fresh, Frizzante is openly aromatic and has a fruity taste to it.

In the case of other sparkling wines, the flavour comes from ageing. But in the case of Frizzante, the pure flavour of the ingredients shines through. The different grapes being used and the aroma that they have come through quite strongly when you enjoy a glass of Frizzante wine.

Top 10 Frizzante Brands

The versatility and the affordability of Frizzante wines make them an easy choice to get. Here are our top 10 recommendations for the ones you should try.

1. Bianco Frizzante.
2. Prosecco Frizzante DOC.
3. Bianco Frizzante Veneto IGT
4. Prosecco Frizzante Bio DOC
5. Vino Frizzante Rosato Veneto IGT
6. Amatista Moscato Bianco Frizzante
7. Amatista Moscato Rosado Frizzante
8. Prosecco Frizzante Treviso DOC
9. Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Amabile Frizzante DOC
10. Cuvée Frizzante Bianco

Champagne: The Royal Wine

Champagne is one of the most popular wines in the entire world. Reserved for celebrations, this wine was originally made for royalty during the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries. The wine has a distinct taste and feels in the mouth.

The wine is named after the Champagne region of France. It’s produced using a special and specified method which is responsible for the way it tastes and looks. Different varieties of grapes are used which is why every champagne has a distinct flavour.

The advertisement of the wine to royalty is what made it popular among the masses. Today, it’s one of the most highly consumed wines in the entire world.

Production Process

The main method for producing champagne is the Méthode Classique. This is the most traditional method for producing champagne and also one of the oldest. There are two steps to this method. There’s the primary fermentation and then there’s the secondary one.

But before we go into the fermentation process, let’s talk about the practices that need to be followed for making wine. Grapes must be sourced from exclusive places, and each type of grape has a different pressing method. This brings out the most intense flavour effectively.

Champagne also requires secondary fermentation which gives it the signature fizz. This takes place after the primary fermentation. During the secondary fermentation, yeast and rock sugar are added to the bottles of Champagne.

The secondary fermentation has to take place inside the individual bottles. This ages the wine and brings out the mature notes and also produces the desired bubbles through carbonation.

The whole process from start to finish can take up to 1.5 years. For higher quality champagne, the harvest needs to be incredibly good and the wine can be aged for at least 3 years. For this long fermentation, crown caps are used instead of the corks.

Once the ageing is completed the bottle is manipulated mechanically to induce remuage. This settles the lees in the neck of the bottle. Afterwards, the bottles are chilled and the cap is removed. The 6-bar pressure forces the frozen lees out.

Additional wine and sugar are added quickly to adjust the wine and it’s sealed once again. This process needs to be done quickly to preserve the level of CO2 or maintain the bubbles.

How Champagne is Consumed

Drinking Champagne requires some etiquette. It must be served in a Champagne flute which is long and has a narrow bowl. The shape of the flute is important as it preserves the carbonation of the drink keeping it bubbly even after pouring.

The Champagne bottle must also be opened at an angle to stop spilling and spraying. And it must also be poured at an angle. One must be gentle when pouring Champagne to preserve the bubbles which add to the drinking experience.

Champagne can fetch some high prices too. The prices depend on the time it was aged and the grapes used to make it.

Flavour of Champagne

Champagne is made with great care and with specifically selected grapes. As a result, they take on the flavour of the grapes they are made from. Depending on how long champagne has matured, the tastes will differ greatly.

Young Champagne will be light and sweet to drink. While high-quality Champagne will make the flavours more mature and you’ll get a hint of buzz from it.

Top 10 Champagne Brands

There are a number of Champagne producers in the world known for their speciality. But here we have the top 10 that we absolutely loved.

1. Moët and Chandon
2. Veuve Clicquot
3. Nicolas Feuilatte
4. G.H Mumm
5. Laurent-Perrier
6. Taittinger
7. Pommery
8. Piper-Heidsieck
9. Lanson
10. Canard-Duchêne