Santo Stefano has the privilege of opening to Spring to the people of the hills throughout the valley from Valdobbiadene to Conegliano
The carnevai (hellebore) and the yellow flashes of the cornelian cherry tell us that it is the new time and invite us to emerge from winter and enter the woods and vineyards to smell Spring
It is time to open to the wine that every year renews its fragrances in this small land on the pre-Alpine slopes and coaxed by the round asperities of the hills
Born from the initiative of some friends who joyfully frequented people leaving the church offering a good glass of wine
the longest-running of the exhibitions linked to the Primavera del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco every year proposes with the same spirit more than a hundred labels of the producers of Valdobbiadene DOCG
The Exhibition of Conegliano Valdobbiadene in Miane offers a vast selection of wines from the UNESCO World Heritage area
live music and excursions to get to know our splendid territory
The 53rd Cartizze and Valdobbiadene DOCG Exhibition in San Pietro di Barbozza is a journey through wine excellence and authentic flavors
gourmet dinners and walks through the UNESCO World Heritage hills make the event an unmissable experience
A unique opportunity to experience the magic of a territory that knows how to conquer with taste and tradition
Traditional exhibition to promote the wines of the Rive di Colbertaldo and Vidor
immersed in the wonderful setting of the Sanctuary of Madonna delle Grazie in Colbertaldo
An amphitheater of vineyards overlooking the ancient structures where the Pro Loco of Colbertaldo and the Comitato Mostra Vini organize tastings
walks and obviously they will let you taste the traditional dishes among which the Spiedo della Marca and the Risotto Primavera alle verdure stand out
was created with the aim of making the wines of the Conegliano area known
with particular attention to the Ogliano area
not strictly in a tasting form but also in terms of an image relating to a characteristic product
simultaneously enhancing the scenic beauty and the production peculiarities of our country
the hamlet of Guia is pleased to host visitors to the 55th Exhibition of Valdobbiadene DOCG
The star of the show will be the Valdobbiadene DOCG
to which a large room is dedicated so you can taste it in all its nuances
There will be the opportunity to participate in traditional lunches
It will also be possible to experience guided walks through the vineyards
The Exhibition of Cartizze and Valdobbiadene DOCG of San Giovanni
guarantees in each of its editions a welcome and refined quality in the products and services offered
Also in this edition there will be numerous opportunities to learn about and get closer to our excellent wine products (Cartizze and Valdobbiadene DOCG)
their producers and above all the territory of origin and production
From guided walks to fully experience our “rive” (hills) and immerse yourself in the wine-growing reality of Valdobbiadene DOCG
to themed lunches and dinners with tastings of typical products and dishes from the upper Treviso area and beyond; all with the aim of stimulating interest in wine culture and to once again enliven the Primavera del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore in San Giovanni
Cison comes alive for the new edition of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Exhibition with the aim of promoting the wine culture of the area and enhancing “The Hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG” recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019
The exhibition will be animated by a rich program of collateral events
At the Barchessa of the seventeenth-century Villa Battaglia-Spada in Refrontolo
the Pro Loco organizes the Wine Exhibition
The splendid location is the backdrop to the event
a prestigious and refined exhibition characterized by the presence of the Refrontolo Passito DOCG
the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and the typical local wines
Exhibition dedicated to the promotion of the native Verdiso IGT wine
The product is enhanced with tastings and pairings with traditional dishes; a stand of typical local products of cured meats and cheeses will be present during the event
Promotion of the territory with food and wine and nature walks
with direct meetings in the vineyard with the producers
The Exhibition promotes the wines that belong to the DOCG Colli di Conegliano: fine reds
including the extraordinary Torchiato di Fregona
as well as a selection of genuine local wines
The exhibition is framed by some events ranging from tastings to walks
alternating with cultural and convivial moments
The 54th Exhibition of Superior Wine of the Colli di Corbanese
located in the heart of Conegliano Valdobbiadene
an area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
is an event that celebrates the excellence of the territory
The exhibition offers a unique showcase for local producers
immersing themselves in the culture and gastronomic traditions of the area
A sensory experience that combines history
As part of the Vittoria stage of the Primavera del Prosecco
artistic and tourist initiatives will be promoted
with particular attention to local gastronomy
art and cultural and naturalistic walks through our hills
the exhibition will have the collaboration of the Hotel Institute for the preparation of some hot dishes
66 wines participated in the Prosecco Superiore DOCG competition
which were evaluated by a commission made up of experts from Assoenologi
The Show was created with the aim of promoting and enhancing the wines of Feletto and the surrounding areas
not strictly in the form of tasting but also of an image relating to a genuine and characteristic product of its production area
It will therefore be everyone’s commitment to elevate the Show to a tool for disseminating the denomination of quality and taste of our territory
especially today with the recognition of a product with Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin
as well as with an accurate display of the product
in welcoming environments for a quiet tasting
the wines produced in the relative areas and the Show itself
can acquire the notoriety that they undoubtedly deserve
Ceramics workshop with Sara Dall’Antonia An afternoon of
Marcadoc – The hills of Venice deals with tourist
cultural and food and wine information of the Marca Trevigiana and the Veneto
the results speak volumes: 3% received gold
This strong showing underlines the consistently high quality across the denomination and reflects the creative energy and terroir expression that make this region one of Italy’s most distinctive
A Region of Heroic BeautySet in the dramatic
Conegliano Valdobbiadene is more than picturesque
and hand-crafted terraces that define agricoltura eroica
“You really understand how difficult it is to produce wine in this part of the world,” said Vincenzo Arnese
“They call it heroic winemaking for a reason.”
That deep connection between landscape and labour is part of what gives the wines their depth. Sarah Abbott MW
described it as “real agriculture as creative culture,” capturing the intentionality and artistry behind every bottle
Standout StylesWhile the judges expected quality
they were struck by just how diverse and exciting the wines were
There was greater variety of styles and aroma profiles than anticipated
fruit-forward to lees-aged and terroir-expressive
Several judges noted a refreshing openness and creativity in the winemaking
One trend that emerged was the performance of Extra Dry versus Brut wines
Extra Dry styles showed more consistency across the board
while the Brut category presented more dramatic highs and lows, perhaps reflecting its newer and still-evolving nature
Judges described the best examples as "incredibly pure
with the primary fruit of the Glera grape shining through
But where lees work or extended aging dominated
the grape’s natural charm sometimes got lost
A few judges suggested that if producers want to explore these more complex styles
they might consider integrating historic varietals to retain balance and identity
Three stand out Bruts were the gold medal winning Valdo Cuvée Di Boj Brut NV (96 points) Vincenzo Toffoli Brut 2024 (95 points) and Dal Din Brut NV (95 points)
Wines with CharacterAmong the most memorable wines were several Sui Lieviti (on the lees) bottlings
A particular highlight was the Guia Incipit Sui Lieviti Brut Nature 2022 (95 points)
Meanwhile, the Rive cru wines continued to impress. Helena Nicklin highlighted these single-vineyard expressions as “not a blanket category… that’s where the excitement is.” Two gold medal winning Rive wines were Andreola Marna Del Bacio Rive Di San Pietro Di Barbozza Extra Brut 2024 (95 points) and Bortolomiol 70th Anniversary
Rive Di Col San Martino Extra Brut 2022 (96 points.)
Helena also noted the aging potential of sweeter styles
saying: “The use of sugar was very well done
I really loved those older vintages.” These wines challenged preconceptions and added further nuance to the region’s already broad stylistic range
Non-vintage and vintage wines were evenly matched in quality
pointing to the consistency of craftsmanship throughout the denomination
the Sophistication of SuperioreWhat truly sets Conegliano Valdobbiadene apart is its ability to balance elegance with ease
“It’s top-end, but it’s relaxed with it,” said importer Megan Clarke
talk together… high-class but not pretentious.”
and joyous Italian spirit that defines the best of Prosecco Superiore
Final ConclusionsConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is Prosecco
It’s time this remarkable region claimed its space in the spotlight. With room to grow awareness and continue refining style diversity
The IWSC judges were Sarah Abbott MW, IWSC Wine Judging Committee Member, with Megan Clarke, Vincenzo Arnese MS, Melania Battisson, Helena Nicklin. Jason Millar and Cat Lomax
READ THE FULL RESULTSIWSC 2025 wine judging in Conegliano Valdobbiadene: Gold medal winners
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2025 — Follador Prosecco dal 1769 is set to showcase Italian winemaking excellence on one of the world’s most prestigious stages
will participate as a sponsor at the “Bangkok Chef Charity 2025 Fundraising Gala Luncheon”
a high-profile event held at the exclusive The Peninsula Bangkok
in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
In an occasion where culinary artistry meets the spirit of solidarity, Follador Prosecco will present the authenticity and elegance of its XZERO Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G
the star of a toast celebrating a culture of taste and a commitment to meaningful social causes
A unique opportunity to share a story dating back to 1769
when the Follador family embarked on a journey of passion
“We are deeply honoured to take part in such a prestigious event
which represents an extraordinary opportunity to share the values of excellence and social responsibility that define our company
Bringing our XZERO to Bangkok is not just about presenting a high-quality wine
but also about contributing to a cause of great social significance,” says Cristina Follador
which will bring together Michelin-starred chefs
providing the winery with a significant global showcase
Every glass of XZERO will serve as an ambassador for a UNESCO World Heritage region
a reflection of a sparkling wine tradition that embodies the excellence of Italian winemaking
spreading the values of timeless authenticity around the world
Among the evening’s most remarkable moments
will present a birthday cake dedicated to the Princess
a symbolic tribute to her unwavering dedication to philanthropic causes and the well-being of the Thai community
participating in the Bangkok Chef Charity 2025 is more than just a sponsorship; it is an act of sharing and responsibility
a way to reaffirm its commitment to authenticity
celebrating the beauty of encounters and the power of gestures that truly make a difference
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The world of sparkling wine regions is led by two titans
Champagne has the benefit of history on its side
and a reputation for super-premium cuvées at very high prices
has seen explosive growth to become the world’s largest region by volume
Yet the dichotomy of value versus volume does not need to be so clear-cut
is dedicating itself to elevating Prosecco’s reputation through high-quality
the company actively presses the point that Prosecco
can be comparable in quality to long-established Champagnes
Although the family grape-growing history dates back almost 400 years
the company’s wine range was launched in 1992
Yet it has pushed the category with its five wineries across Italy in Treviso
a dedicated team of agronomists and oenologists at the Bibano di Godega winery in Treviso has conducted extensive research and experimentation over the last three years
The result is a range of premium Proseccos which make use of some of the best sites in Prosecco
including the prestigious Valdobbiadene and Rive DOCGs
they are now available in more than 160 markets as well as travel retail outlets all over the world
It has been a rapid rise into a powerful brand
The winemaking at Bottega is led by the very best practice in Prosecco
the company’s simultaneous releases of multiple vintages are flipping the notion of Prosecco for early drinking on its head
Bottega’s wines benefit from select individual vineyards located in the most suitable plots among the Unesco Heritage Hills
where Glera grapes are cultivated using sustainable practices and harvested by hand at the peak of ripeness
The grapes then go through a pre-fermentation cryo-maceration
flavour and tannins from the skins of the grapes
The winery uses new ‘horizontal’ autoclaves to age its wines and long fermentation times to obtain wines with different organoleptic expressions depending on the individual vintages and the different crus
The result is extra brut sparkling wines suitable for fine pairings
as well as tasty first courses or paired with white meats or game
Bottega’s idea of creating versatile sparkling wines supported by science was conceived a few years ago and pursued with foresight
It seeks to inspire the emergence of a new generation of entrepreneurs capable of producing high-quality cru wines that will be in demand globally and served in prestigious restaurants
Bottega has introduced a novelty in the world of Prosecco
simultaneously presenting four different vintages of sparkling wine
and 2024 vintages aim to seize and showcase the Glera grape variety’s potential
The vintages are a part of Bottega’s decade-long project to enhance the character of Prosecco wines
At the top of the ‘Bottega Prosecco Premium Vintage Collection’ is the soon-to-be-released 2021 vintage Stardust Gold
The 2021 Stardust Black Prosecco DOC Spumante Extra Brut
with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as complementary varieties
The entire production process for Stardust takes a minimum of 9 months
including at least 8 months of resting on the lees and a portion of wine aged in oak barrels is added to prepare the expedition syrup
The Stardust Black bottle features 3,000 black crystals arranged by hand to create a stardust effect
further enhanced by a glittered label and capsule
The collection features a 2022 vintage Bottega Gold Diamond Extra Brut Prosecco
which has a mirrored effect and is adorned with crystals that spell the brand’s name
comes with a glittering capsule and is made from 85% Glera grapes sourced from the hilly regions of Treviso
the wine is left in contact with the lees for at least three months
releases essential compounds that enhance the wine’s body
The Bottega Premium Vintage Collection is now available on selected markets
Patrick Schmitt MW provides his tasting notes for some of Bottega’s wines below:
expressive Prosecco with plenty of melon and pear notes
plenty of mouth-filling creamy-textured bubbles and a clean
A deliciously fruity fizz with fine bubbles
balanced by a fresh and gently chalky finish
A lovely if very dry expression of Prosecco
with plenty of ripe orchard fruit at its core
Plenty of creamy-textured bubbles and fresh apple fruit dominate the mid-palate of this fine
which finishes with some crisp citrus and crushed chalk
ensure that this fruity fizz is palate-cleansing and mouth-watering
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21 and 42 km races among cellars and vineyardsThe Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Running Festival is underway: tomorrow the “quarter stage” opens in VidorSaturday
November 30th at 7:30 the start of the 51 km Ultra Trail on the Cammino delle Colline with arrival in Vittorio Veneto
Everything is ready for the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Running Festival
the event will officially start and until Sunday
December 1st it will involve almost 4,300 runners
taking them into the cellars (51 will be crossed) and into the vineyards of the Prosecco Hills
There will be 1312 foreigners (31%) coming from 41 countries
including other continents such as Australia
The multifunctional centre in Piazza Capitello in Vidor
will start to come to life starting tomorrow
when the race office and expo will open at 3:00 pm
music and traditional local dances are planned for Friday and Saturday evenings
while on Saturday and Sunday there will also be traditional wooden games.Four races are scheduled that will cross
Revine Lago and Vittorio Veneto.Saturday 30 November
the start of the first edition of the 1st Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Ultra Trail which
after 51 km with a positive difference in altitude of 2,265 meters along the Cammino delle Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene
the Ultra Trail will develop along the crest of the hills passing through Colbertaldo
the area of Cison with Zuel di Qua e di Là
joining portions of some of the 39 individual Prosecco itineraries
For the participants there will also be particularly challenging sections
such as the very steep Monte Moncader (470 meters)
the final part of Monte Comun (490 meters) and Monte Baldo (597 meters)
tunnels and military posts (visible on the hills)
with departures from the La Tordera winery
not far from the multipurpose center in Piazza Capitello: at 8:30 the start of the 2nd Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Marathon of 42 km
at 10:00 the start of the 14th Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Run of 21 km and at 10:20 the 9th Conegliano Valdobbiadene Bollicina of 10 km
As for the numbers: 48% of the Italians registered
Emilia Romagna (298) and Trentino – Alto Adige (247)
those with the most registered are Hungary (148)
The largest groups are Run Different (65 – Modena)
Padova) and Atletica Elpidiense Avis Aido (29
A real “Festival” centered on running and outdoor sports activities but also perfect for spending a few days of relaxation and vacation in the UNESCO heritage hills
in many cases decided to return again this year
who in 2023 had been to Vidor with other friends
running the half marathon and was enthusiastic about the experience
a “nice mix of sport and the opportunity to enjoy the area
with a wonderful atmosphere so much so that it convinced us to return again this year in about ten”
“When I learned that there would also be the Ultra Trail
I decided to run the trail on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday – Jessen said – probably in the half marathon it will be a little slower than in 2023
to taste some Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Docg and local food”
there will also be the women of FemiRun&Walk
a group of women (and some men) from all over Norway
born about ten years ago with the participation in the Rome Marathon
The aim is to motivate and encourage women to run and walk
regardless of age and their state of fitness
The first to set an example and be an extraordinary source of inspiration
who after undergoing an operation for a brain tumor
after only 6 days was already on the street running 20 km
THE CELLARS CROSSEDThe routes of the 9th Conegliano Valdobbiadene Bollicina 10 km
the 14th Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Run and the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Marathon will cross 51 cellars
farms and agritourisms: La Tordera (starting point of all three routes)
Cantina Andreola – Eroico in Valdobbiadene
Villa Cedri (headquarters of the Association for the heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene)
THE VOLUNTEERSA real army: that of the 350 volunteers (directly linked to Tri Veneto Run
but also to many local associations of the municipalities involved) for the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Running Festival
also “racing” to ensure the success of the event
from the logistics of the start to the banners
from the motorcyclist to the people in charge along the route
from those who will take care of refreshments to those who will prepare and deliver the race packs
from those who will take care of the inflatables to those who will position the mileage signs
directed in collaboration with Maratona di Treviso Scrl
with the Patronage and contribution of the Municipality of Vidor
of the Veneto Region and under the aegis of US Acli
Association for the Heritage of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
Consortium for the Protection of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
Radio Company and the technical partners Karpos and Scarpa
FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 20243:00 PM Race Office and Expo opening7:00 PM Race Office and Expo closing7:00 PM “Muset & Calici” typical “musét” dinner (reservation required)9:00 PM Toast offered by the Colbertaldo and Vidor Wine Exhibition (only for those who have booked for the dinner)9:00 PM The Fireplaces: Folk and Rock’n’Roll music10:30 PM Closing
SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 20246:00 AM Race Office and Expo opening
Ultra Trail bag storage6:00 AM Ultra Trail shuttle bus departure from Vittorio Veneto in Piazza del Popolo (reservation required)6:45 AM Ultra Trail shuttle bus arrival in Vidor in via Palladio7:30 AM Start of the 1st Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Ultra Trail (Vidor)10.00 am Tana dei Tarli: traditional wooden games2.00 pm Awards ceremony for the 1st Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Ultra Trail (Piazza del Popolo
Vittorio Veneto)5.00 pm I Mercanti Dogali: traditional dances & songs7.30 pm “Spiedo Party” dinner based on Treviso spit (reservation required)8.00 pm Race Office and Expo closing8.30 pm Toast offered by the Colbertaldo and Vidor Wine Exhibition (only for those who have booked for the dinner)10.30 pm Closing
SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER 20247.00 am Race Office and Expo opening9.15 am Race Office closing7.00 am Baggage storage opening8.00 pm 08.30 Start 2nd Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Marathon10.00 Start 14th Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Run10.20 Start 9th Conegliano Valdobbiadene Bollicina12.00 Opening Pasta PartyFrom 12.30 Awards ceremony (to follow based on arrivals)17.00 Bag drop off closes18.00 Event closes
The 28th edition of the Corsa Internazionale Oderzo
A Bisol family son crafts bubbles “with meaning”
Idealism isn’t something generally associated with Prosecco—the world’s most widely sold sparkler
But Matteo Bisol, 35, from the pioneering Bisol Prosecco family
and I think it needs more courage in the production area,” says Bisol
who has lived his whole life in prime Prosecco territory: the hills around Valdobbiadene
That’s understandable. A lot of Prosecco—made primarily from the Glera grape—is thin, anonymous fizz that comes from a vast swath of northeastern Italy. Hearing that from the lips of a Bisol reinforces the point
inspired by other winemakers of his generation
has become an advocate of the latter style
the best expression of Prosecco is col fondo,” says Bisol
wearing a white T-shirt and baggy jeans as we walk through the 15 acres of organically farmed land he leases outside Conegliano
mostly planted with 50-year-old Glera vines
a still Glera and a red from the Marzemino variety at his father’s and uncle’s fermentation facility in Valdobbiadene
“Col fondo was the traditional Prosecco everyone drank at home,” Bisol explains later during a salumi and cheese lunch with Zago and Tormena
at a picnic table overlooking the dramatically steep
terraced vineyards in the hills of Col San Martino
the widespread use of autoclaves helped fuel the Prosecco boom
which is now less than 1 percent of total production
“Our generation is the first that is proud of this tradition and wants to take it to the world,” Bisol enthuses
tending to take on dried fruit and honey notes as they evolve over time
They also tend to be a deeper shade of gold than most Proseccos and slightly cloudy—factors that can cause problems in earning official appellation approval
Ca’ dei Zago’s yellow-gold wines were rejected by a Prosecco Superiore tasting committee for being too dark
Zago responded by labeling them instead with the regional Colli Trevigiani IGT designation—also used by Bisol and Tormena
whose col fondos are excluded from the Prosecco Superiore DOCG because they are topped with verboten crown caps
if you go to the coolest wine bars in New York and Milan
they will pour wines from the region that don’t mention Prosecco on the label,” Bisol says
“It is really a missed opportunity for the region.”
Bisol calls his still Glera wine “Questo non è” (“This one isn’t”)
while his Glera Colli Trevigiani IGT Col Fondo is named “Questo Neanche” (“Not even this one”)
I first met Bisol some years ago at Venissa
While Bisol still oversees Venissa’s winemaking
he no longer runs its pair of restaurants and boutique hotel so that he has time to focus on Monban
Unlike some of his col fondo–producing peers, Bisol studied business, not winemaking. Yet he has developed his own vision for making Prosecco. Like Zago and Tormena, he farms organically, ferments his base wine with indigenous yeasts and adds minimal sulfites
But to kick off the secondary fermentation that produces the bubbles
he adds a dose of fresh Glera juice from the following year’s harvest
Col fondo wines are, naturally, unfiltered. They also contain less fizz—a style Italians call frizzante (1 to 2.5 bars of atmospheric pressure)—compared with other forms of sparkling Prosecco and Champagne (at least 3.5 bars).
“Prosecco is a light wine, and it should be easy to drink,” says Bisol. “It doesn’t have the structure to support a high level of bubbles.”
Since Glera is relatively low in acidity, Bisol explains, the antioxidant-rich lees left in the bottle act as a natural preservative. “With normal Prosecco, after two years, you can have a problem,” he says. “High-quality col fondos can age much better: five or 10 years.”
“Our idea is not to make a vague Prosecco, but something with personality,” he adds. “We’re looking for the five percent of people who are wine lovers.”
Prosecco for wine lovers. Now there’s an idea. Prosecco-land take note.
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The Prosecco appellation is being revolutionised from the inside out
projecting it towards a series of major innovations
a proposal was approved to change the denomination rules for Prosecco DOC
laying the foundations for the creation of Prosecco Rosé
alongside Glera grapes used either alone or blended with other permitted varieties (Bianchetta Trevigiana
Verdiso and Pinot Nero fermented off the skins)
the rosé can contain up to 15% of Pinot Nero fermented on the skins
it will only be produced as a single vintage
containing a minimum of 85% vintage grapes
and can be made in a drier style such as brut nature or extra brut
The first Prosecco rosés have already found made their way on to the shelves
But don’t expect to see rosé Prosecco at the DOCG level – this is a new development at DOC level only
for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
changes to the regulations in 2019 now allow for a new style of extra brut – a classic example is Quindici16
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Brut from Spagnol – as well as a category re-fermented in the bottle
More broadly speaking, other changes across the region tend to focus on the brut nature style: one of the first producers to spot its potential was Valdo
where the style was introduced to the estate’s Rive San Pietro di Barbozza three years ago
The result demonstrated its potential to improve over time
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2019 is produced with residual sugar of less than 3g/L
It has been designed to heighten the characteristics of the vintage and the minerality of the terroir
comprising the deep-rooted historic vineyards at Col San Martino
Bortolomiol opted for zero residual sugar for its new offering
Rive di Santo Stefano 70th Anniversary; it displays a dynamic
Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG’s gradual shift towards the traditional method (and away from the Charmat method
What is new is the tendency to increase the months the wine spends on lees
One such example is Valdo: after its recent Numero 10 Metodo Classico
aged for 10 months on the lees (following previous experiments with 36 and 48 months)
it continues the trend with its new metodo classico
Named after the Valdobbiadene vineyard with its old vines of Glera and other local grape varieties
There is increasing interest in the Valdobbiadene terroir and landscape
awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 2019
recently 19 sub-zones of Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG were identified
Analysis revealed distinctive features for every sub-zone
paving the way for development in terroir zoning
The Prosecco DOC consorzio is also committed to biodiversity; it recently signed up to the Equalitas standard
Saturday 30 November will kick off the 50th Dolomiti Superski winter season
with the opening of the lifts in the ski areas of Cortina d'Ampezzo
all 12 ski areas in the Dolomites will be operational
with Cortina-Faloria extending its opening until 4 May
Some individual lifts will open as soon as weather and snow conditions permit
and will close between the end of March and the beginning of April
The Sellaronda will be open from 05 December 2024 to 06 April 2025
CORTINA D‘AMPEZZOTofana- Modernization of the snowmaking system on the "TOFANINA" slope
Vigil in Enneberg- General overhaul of the cable cars “PEDAGÁ” and “PIZ DE PLAIES”- Replacement of cabin clamps on the cable car "COL TORONN"Olang- New 8-seater chairlift "PLATEAU" with wind bubble (Doppelmayr)
ALTA BADIACorvara- New 6-seater chairlift "BRAIA FRAIDA" (Leitner) replacing the old 4-seater chairlift- Installation of a photovoltaic system at the Boé summit station and Vallon valley stationLa Villa- Modernization of the snowmaking system on the "Gran Risa" slope- New reservoir for snowmaking “Codes”
GRÖDEN / SEISER ALMSeiser Alm- Ski lift "PANORAMA" – 30-year inspection- Chairlift "FLORALPINA" – 20-year inspectionMonte Pana- Monte Pana
Piz Sella areas – Modernization of snowmaking systemsSt
Ulrich- Existing ski lift "PALMER" will be replaced by a new ski lift
VAL DI FASSA / CAREZZACol Rodella – Campitello di Fassa- Construction begins for the new 3S cable car "CAMPITELLO-COL RODELLA," replacing the old cable car – Opening in December 2025Catinaccio – Vigo di Fassa- General overhaul of the chairlift “CAMPO SCUOLA CIAMPEDIE”Buffaure – Pozza di Fassa- Route adjustment of the “PANORAMA” slope to reduce its gradientCarezza- Existing ski lift “GOLF 1” will be replaced by a new ski lift
ARABBA / MARMOLADAPasso Padon- New 6-seater chairlift “PIANI DI ORNELLA-PASSO PADON” replacing the old 2-seater chairlift- Modernization of the snowmaking system on the “ANTERCREP” slope- Increased safety for the “MESOLA” chairlift – new “Safety Kid” systemArabba- Modernization of the snowmaking system on the “BEC DE ROCES” slope- Adjustment of the slope “PONT DE VAUZ-ARABBA”
3 ZINNENHelm- New 6-seater chairlift “PORZEN” with wind bubble (Leitner) replacing the old 4-seater chairlift- Extension and adjustment of the “PORZEN” slope- New slope “PARFAL”
VAL DI FIEMME / OBEREGGENJochgrimm- New ski lift “SCHWARZHORN II” replacing the old ski lift- Modernization of the snowmaking system and slope adaptations
MARTINO DI CASTROZZA / PASSO ROLLECes- New 10-seater cable car “VALCIGOLERA” (Leitner) replacing the old 2-seater chairlift
GITSCHBERG/JOCHTAL – BRIXENJochtal- New 6-seater chairlift “STEINERMANDL” with wind bubble (Leitner) replacing the old 2-seater chairlift- Funzone STEINERMANDL + Skimovie- Modernization of the snowmaking system
ALPE LUSIA / SAN PELLEGRINOSan Pellegrino - Falcade- Extension of the "SALINE" slope in Falcade
modernization of the snowmaking system on Col MargheritaSan Pellegrino - Costabella- Adjustment of the "MONZONI" slope and the "Monzoni" snowpark- Modernization of the snowmaking system
widening of the “Fuchiade” slopeAlpe Lusia- Modernization of the snowmaking system
CIVETTAVal Fiorentina- Modernization of the snowmaking system on the “FERTAZZA” slopePalafavera- General overhaul of the “PIODA” chairlift with upgraded safety measuresAlleghe- Adjustment of slopes and modernization of snowmaking systems- Chairlift “PELMO” – 20-year inspection
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San Martino Buon Albergo Mayor Giulio Furlani said
with Samuel’s family and the boys from his first team
it is truly a source of pride for San Martino to have him and to have you here
I would like to underline that I was previously Councilor for Sport and I know well how important baseball is for us: it is part of the consortium of the six companies of San Martino
but I made the first pitch on one occasion
for Samuel in the United States is a sporting experience
and I hope for him and for FIBS itself that it will be an opportunity for growth for the entire discipline.”
led the press conference and asked FIBS President Andrea Marcon: “Los Angeles is the number one goal for the movement
it has just won the World Series and Samuel plays in the city
A series of stimulating coincidences… How are you preparing to be there?”
“The work for Los Angeles began some time ago as his brother Mattia knows well
who is here with us and is part of the Club Italia LA28 project and whom I thank for his total availability
Obviously we hope that Samuel will also be part of it
Samuel’s debut on August 31st was one of the most important moments in the history of Italian baseball
and I think many people stayed awake effortlessly like me to experience that moment with him.”
“ I assure you that the emotion that shone through the comments on the team chat of the World Baseball Classic 2023 was nothing short of electrifying
It was an incredible moment to see how already established champions rejoiced for this call to the majors of a very young Italian boy
after all baseball is a sport in which you can't help but be romantic
as Brad Pitt teaches us in the role of Billy Beane in Moneyball.”
Carlo Ravegnani asked the Los Angeles Angels pitcher what he did after learning of his promotion to MLB
“First of all I called my agent because he had to get me the plane ticket right away
I didn't change anything about the pre-game preparation
but this unexpected opportunity came along and I was very focused
I'll leave in mid-January for spring training camp to push for an opening day roster spot.”
Samuel Aldegheri spoke highly of his brother
“He has given me more advice throughout my life
Now maybe I can partly reciprocate.” Mattia Aldegheri responded
“We have all experienced this with great pride among family and friends.”
San Martino Junior Sports Director Diego Bonamini said: “I am experiencing this incredible joy more as a parent than as a manager
With the family we have had hundreds of dinners and thousands of kilometers together
he is the one who believed in us until the end
the Municipality that has always supported us and
the family crazy enough to believe in it and support Samuel's dream together with him.”
that we hope will bring emulation when I mentioned Samuel's name
spontaneous applause broke out from all the 13-14 year olds present
A great motivation for all of us who love this sport.”
Team Italy U12 manager Stefano Burato said
“The beautiful message of Samuel is that he was a normal boy
He was a left-handed player who threw strikes
and so it would have been a crime not to let him throw
The message is that with commitment and sacrifice
We just tried to put him in the best conditions
The key is that you shouldn’t rush to create an athlete
but the secret of excellence is not to rush
The process is completed no earlier than 18-19 years of age
The press conference also served as an official announcement of the completion of the second edition of ‘Un Diamante Azzurro’, the book by Riccardo Schiroli on the history of Italian baseball and softball published by Calzetti & Mariucci for FIBS
Carlo Ravegnani asked author Riccardo Schiroli
“It was a finished book and then?”Riccardo Schiroli replied
“And then when they called me from the USA I understood that the chapter in which I said: Alex Liddi is the only Italian-born player to make it to MLB had to be corrected… I had to take the matter back for the umpteenth time
It is strange that Alex and Samuel have names that are not typically Italian
that do not end in a vowel as they are expected abroad
the strength of having champions like this is demonstrated by the attention they receive: years ago in Vicenza we had planned an event for 500 people and 900 arrived after the announcement that Liddi would participate
I never thought I would see an Italian pitch in MLB
but Samuel in many interviews always said: if you have a passion for baseball
in 2006 the then FIBS President Riccardo Fraccari asked me to write a book on the history of FIBS
We have had presidents in Italian baseball who tried to erase those who came before
Fraccari was the first who wanted to write its history
Years later I realized the limits of that first work
Over the years I have often thought about the project and when in 2018 Andrea Marcon told me that a second edition could be done
All this certainly owes a huge debt to Roberto Buganè
he allowed us to recover documents and memories that would otherwise have been lost forever
but also professionalism to try to rationalize all of Roberto’s work."
while I consider the first part quite indisputable from the point of view of historical research
which obviously takes into account the contributions of those who created the first edition with me.”
‘Diamante Azzurro II’, thanks to Calzetti & Mariucci
will be available for purchase via the main distribution channels
starting from early December with several presentations scheduled immediately following at Italian baseball and softball locations
the Aldegheri brothers then met the Under 12 players from the various Veneto teams called by the FIBS Regional Committee on the San Martino Buon Albergo field to participate in the training and game day ‘Let’s grow together
Some of the very young participants also transformed themselves into interviewers
in front of the celebrating parents’ audience
Samuel Aldegheri and Riccardo Schiroli by K73-Oldman)
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The combined annual production of Prosecco DOC [exceeding 500 million bottles for the first time in 2020] and Prosecco DOCG [92 million bottles] has long since overtaken that of Champagne
which averages about 300 million bottles shipped annually
And easy accessibility has possibly created a certain over-familiarity and perception of uniformity among consumers
offering diverse and exciting new routes into Italy’s most popular sparkling wine
director of the Prosecco DOC consorzio says
Today we have to think not of ‘Il Prosecco’
Modifications to the production norms in 2019 introduced two new categories into the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG: extra brut (up to 6g/L residual sugar) and the bottle-refermented Sui Lieviti (on the lees)
both categories were already officially recognised in the smaller DOCG of Asolo Prosecco
including the prominent Loris Follador at Casa Coste Piane and Christian Zanatta at Ca’ dei Zago
the winemaker who most closely represents the artisan tradition
have preferred not to move up into the spumante category on the grounds that the extra creamy texture that comes with it detracts from the character they wish to achieve in the wine
make the more sophisticated spumante style without losing the slightly rustic authenticity
the debate around the new extra brut category is about sugar
Despite the general trend towards ever drier styles
many producers have preferred not to take up the extra brut option and to stay in the comfort zone of the brut style (up to 12g/L residual sugar)
where well-judged residual sugar helps to bring out the fruit and give flesh on the palate
Brut wines tend to be more consistent than extra brut
but it could be argued that with their low sugar
the latter are a more direct expression of terroir
that not all sites are equally suited to the production of extra brut
and in this context the steep-sloped Rive sub-zones of the DOCG area acquire particular significance
delicately floral wines of Valdobbiadene can come across hard and lean in very dry styles
Wines from Ogliano in the Conegliano side of the DOCG (Biancavigna; Borgo Antico)
they offer a glorious dimension to Prosecco that is rarely glimpsed
The big news from Prosecco DOC in 2021 was the rollout of Prosecco Rosé – which finally received its official approval in late 2020
Big is the operative word: the initial release was estimated at about 60 million bottles – a demonstration of the extraordinary productive potential of the zone, which stretches from Treviso in the Veneto across Friuli Venezia Giulia to Trieste on Italy’s eastern border with Slovenia
Take-up of the Rosé DOC has been immediate
not least because more than half of the current Prosecco DOC producers were already making a generic sparkling rosé prior to the arrival of the new denomination
which coordinated the various stages of research that led to the creation of the new DOC
was to establish stylistic consistency and quality standards for this heterogeneous production and pave the way for what is destined to become the Italian pink sparkler
Prosecco Rosé is based on a quite strictly defined cuvée of 85%-90% Glera and 10%-15% Pinot Nero (vinified as red wine). There was canvassing for the inclusion of native varieties such as Raboso in the Veneto or Refosco in Friuli Venezia Giulia
since it has been widely grown in both regions since the late 19th century
Refermentation is by the widely used Charmat method
and wines must age on the lees for a minimum of 60 days
Much of the research that went into the formulation of the production norms for Prosecco Rosé revolved around the fundamental issue of colour
with micro-vinification experiments juggling the variables of yield
The outcome is a shade of pink which corresponds closest to ‘peach’ on France’s Côtes de Provence scale and also, given the presence of Pinot Nero, recalls a pale Sancerre rosé
nearly three-quarters of the current production is extra dry (12-17g/L) and most of the rest is brut
The consorzio’s declared objective is to maintain the charm and immediate appeal of Prosecco
is that the wines hit the spot; the Pinot adds a little structure and a note of red fruit to the gentle floral character of the Glera
the wines may come over a little sugary for some tastes
but the drier Prosecco Rosé styles add a quintessentially Venetian touch to light fish dishes at a candlelit supper
Traditional Panevin di Collalbrigo: Via Marsiglion
Panevin di Arcade (it is the largest and best known in the province of Treviso): in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele
Panevin in Breda di Piave: Piazza Nazioni Unite: Thursday 5 January 2023
Panevin in Dosson di Casier: Via Vecchie Pescherie: Thursday 5 January 2023
Rolle in the courtyard of the former primary school
in Tovena in Via Nazionale and in Gai di Mezzo: Thursday 5th January 2023
Panevin in Amicizia (Panevin in Friendship) in Susegana: in Via Luigi Einaudi on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 20:00 with the presence of the Befana and a firework display
At the same times in Colfosco at the Friendship Park and in Collalto at the Festival Area
Panevin di Lourdes in Conegliano: at the Lourdes Parish Sports Ground
Panevin di San Pio X at Campo Sportivo Casa dello Studente in Conegliano: befana for children
vin brulè and pinza on Thursday 5 January 2023
Panevin in Follina at the Valsana Multipurpose Centre
at the Farrò Church Park and the Church of San Giacomo in Valmareno: Panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8 pm
Panevin delle Associazioni in Vittorio Veneto: at Area Fenderl Park in Via del Meril
Panevin in Miane at the Centro Polifunzionale (Multipurpose Centre); in Combai at the Curva del Cristo (Christ’s Bend); in Premaor in Via Campon; at the Posa Puner Refuge (the highest Panevin in the province of Treviso
at over 1,300 metres above sea level) on Thursday 5th January 2023 at 8 pm
At the Church of the Beata Vergine Addolorata
Col Ronch – Combai di Miane at 5 pm on Thursday 5 January 2023
at the sports facilities: Thursday 5 January 2023
Panevin in Moriago della Battaglia: at the Casa del Musichiere and in Mosnigo near the Church on Thursday 5 January 2023
San Trovaso at the Sports Field on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8.30 p.m
Panevin in Pieve di Soligo at the Casa di Riposo
Al Patean (rugby field) and Al Patean in Via Gramsci on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 20.00
Panevin in Refrontolo at the Tempietto Spada on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8 pm
Panevin in Sernaglia della Battaglia in Fontigo near the sports field; in Sernaglia near the Post Office; in Falzè di Piave near Al Pedrè; in Villanova near the Church on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8.00 p.m
Panevin in San Pietro di Feletto: near the Parish Church of San Pitero di Feletto in Via Roncalli
1 and then in San Michele near the Church in Piazza Santa Maria and near the Church of Rua di Feletto the respective panevins will be on Thursday 5th January 2023 at 7 p.m
Panevin in Vidor at the Festival Area and at the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie in Colbertaldo di Vidor on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8 pm
Panevin in Susegana: in Collalto at the Sports Field and in Colfosco at the Friendship Park on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8 pm
Colmaggiore and in Via Trevisani del Mondo on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 20.00
Panevin for children in Vittorio Veneto: at Area Rossi in Via Malanotti the Panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 5.30 p.m
Panevin in San Polo di Piave: at Via Acquedotti Romani the Panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8 pm
Tezze di Piave the Panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 17:00
at Villa Tiepolo Passi Farm: Thursday 5th January 2023
Panevin in Pezzan di Carbonera: at Via Grande di Pezzan the panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8.30 p.m
Panevin in Carbonera: at Piazza di Vascon the Panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 8.15 p.m
Panevin in Casale sul Sile: a Panevin will be lit at the Via San Nicolò marina at 20.00 on Thursday 5 January 2023
near the Asolo Golf Club: Thursday 5th January 2023
Crevada in Via San Giuseppe Thursday 5 January 2023
followed by traditional food and wine tastings
at Piazzale Camillo Cibin on Thursday 5 January 2023
followed by the arrival of the Befana and bingo
Panevin di Fontanelle: near the Piazza di Vallonto
Fratta and Camino the panevin will be lit on Thursday 5 January 2023
Panevin in Motta di Livenza: near the Parish Church of Malintrada
Panevin di Campolongo di Conegliano: Thursday 5 January 2023
followed by the distribution of pinza and mulled wine
highly quaffable entry-level wines can mask this Italian sparkler’s great diversity and quality
and any signs of it diminishing in terms of consumer popularity is likely to be a magician’s trick
The relatively low alcohol of Prosecco makes it incredibly appealing
and the Italian sparkling wine has a surprising degree of diversity
More serious Prosecco Treviso DOC examples in the mid-tier of the pyramid lead onto Superiore DOCG wines from Valdobbiadene-Conegliano and its Cartizze wines
and then to the ultimate in vini di terroir
Prosecco wine quality is high and its consistency provides reliability and security for sparkling wine fans
Production volumes have levelled out over the past couple of years
with around 28,000 hectares of vineyards in the verdant caldera of the Treviso province giving rise to about 600 million bottles annually
While the UK and the US are still the main export destinations
today France is vying with Germany and Belgium as a top market
Veneto DOC wines give vibrant orchard fruits and grape flavours
combined with moderate sweetness and creamy texture
Drinking ‘the youngest available’ is really important when choosing a wine from a supermarket shelf
Most of these wines are produced in an ‘extra dry’ style with around 12-17g/l residual sugar
there is a distinctive rise in quality and interest
A large proportion of the Gold and Master medals awarded in our 2024 Prosecco Masters come from these Superiore DOCG wines
coming from the ‘hogback’ hills in the heart of Treviso around Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Asolo
Most Valdobbiadene DOCG wines are made in a brut style with 10- 15g/l of residual sugar
Ruggeri is a particularly sensuous example
The rive (individual vineyard site) wines are on the steeper slopes
allowing run-off from rainfall and extra sunlight to ripen the grapes
these wines are beautifully structured and well-suited for gastronomy
Particularly good examples from this competition are Andreola Col del Forno Rive di Refrontolo with green fruits
The wines from Asolo often show slightly riper fruit – yellow plum and ripe peach – balanced by a slightly drier style
Giusti and the high-quality co-operative Cantina Montelliana e dei Colli Asolani
T Pink Prosecco is usually labelled Prosecco Rosé
because rosé is easier to market and sell than rosato
The Prosecco consorzio wisely chose Pinot Nero as the blending variety of choice
Pinot Nero’s vibrant red berry fruit is a perfect foil for Glera’s peaches-and-cream flavours
With lovely colours ranging from pale babypink through peach to salmon
these wines have red berry fruits accenting the rounder apple and white orchard flavours of Glera
with Pinot Noir adding more texture to the mousse
The awarded wines are attractive and well worth drinking
With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process
The Prosecco Masters provides a chance for your wines to shine
The 2024 competition was judged on 7 March at Fare Restaurant & Bar in London
Silver or Bronze medals according to their result
and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Prosecco Master
This report features the medal winners only
Please visit the Global Masters website for more information or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
To highlight the best of Asia’s drinks offerings – in wine and spirits – the drinks business Asia launched its Summer Tasting competition
to find the most truly outstanding expressions
the drinks business Asia launched its Summer Tasting competition to find the best drinks brands on the world stage
Our judges blind-tasted the best of wine and spirits
the entries we received spanned different grape varietals
Chile’s Casillero del Diablo Devil’s Brut NV received a Gold medal
retail and events specialist at Ginsberg+Chan Wine Merchants Asia
Andreola Dirupo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV and Dynasty 5° Sparkling Wine NV
In the Still White and Rosé – Unoaked categories
two exceptional wineries from Chile and Spain were accredited with good medals
Bodegas Valoria’s Vina Valoria Blanco and Rosado were both awarded Silver
said: “The white gives a pronounced aroma and the style is progressing well
The rosé is refreshing and light; it serves as a standard go-to house wine during a hot summer.”
Vina Concha y Toro’s Marques de Casa Concha Urban Edition Chardonnay 2018 and Amelia Chardonnay 2018 received a Silver and Bronze medal respectively in the Still White – Oaked category
Lubanzi Red Blend 2018 reigned supreme and took the highest Master accolade
I’m most surprised by the price of it.” Bearing a price tag of HK$135
The winery employs minimal intervention and natural fermentations to preserve the terroir
Moncaro Cantina del Conero’s Montescuro 2018 and Nerone 2018 – both 100% Montepulciano – impressed the panel and were awarded Gold medals
Of a Montepulciano costing between HK$100 and HK$100
Kwong said: “Despite having a candied character
Montescuro demonstrates a typical Montepulciano at this price point
sitting in a premium range between HK$500 and HK$600
is rather elegant and subtle for its style
It has strong tannins yet is still very smooth
The judges were rather thrilled by the dark spirit samples in the competition
Another Master medal was given to Port Askaig 100° Proof Whisky
said the whisky took her on a good sensory journey: “It started with a nice and strong nose
the smokiness and peatiness cut through the palate and left a lingering long finish
Overall this Scotch single malt is mellow and pleasant
It gets the alcohol balance right especially.”
Uncle Nearest Master Blend Edition and 1856 Premium Aged Whiskey were both given Gold medals
Rossi said the whiskey “has good value for the price
Despite it not imparting much Bourbon feeling
it has long finish and I think it is perfect for making an Old Fashioned.”
The prestige label Frapin’s Plume received a Gold medal in the competition
Sitting in the prestige price band between HK$35,000 and HK$36,000
the Cognac “displayed an explosion of fine fruity notes of dried fruits on the nose
with layered notes of alluring cigar and woody notes”
there is plenty in the market to offer you a great taste – at all different price points
managing editor of The Drinks Business Asia; Michael Chan
retail and events specialist at Ginsberg+Chan Wine Merchants Asia; Jin Chu
marketing manager at MyiCellar; Vincent Kwong
We reveal the medal-winning brands from this year’s Prosecco Masters
which comprised all styles and quality levels of this popular Italian fizz
and saw both Extra Brut and Extra Dry samples gain top scores
PROSECCO SEEMS to be the darling of wine drinkers for one great reason – Prosecco is fun
Prosecco has diversity: from the easy-drinking
but ‘oh-somore-ish’ Prosecco Veneto DOC wines to the more ‘serious’ Prosecco Treviso DOC
and then onto Superiore DOCG wines from Asolo and Valdobbiadene
including the latter ’s Cartizze wines produced from grapes grown on the precise location of the Cartizze hill
It is also true that throughout the DOCs and DOCGs
something that this year ’s Prosecco Masters confirms
Levels of production have increased dramatically in recent years
apple and pear fruit of the better expressions
combined with the gentle sweetness and softness is universally appealing
And the zippy acidity adding support is a benefit
What is exciting for any lover of this fizz is that many of these delightful wines are available at affordable prices – for less than £15 in a supermarket – and they are deservedly popular
These simpler styles of Prosecco wines indicate that
while the overall level of quality is good
so a level of attention in selection is required
Youthful age guarding the freshness is always relevant for these DOC wines
Most of these wines are produced in an Extra Dry style
perfect for a spring day among the daffodils and cherry trees
There is a distinctive rise in quality and interest when one looks at Superiore DOCG wines
as our 2023 Gold and Master medal-winners show
which come from the caldera and rolling hills in the heart of Treviso around Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Asolo
The wines from Asolo tend to show riper fruit
often labelled Extra Brut with around 3g/l-5g/l of residual sugar
Most of Valdobbiadene DOCG wines are made in a Brut style with 8g/l-12g/l of residual sugar
they are beautifully balanced gastronomic styles
Some of the Cartizze and Rive (individual vineyard sites) wines are textured
balanced – practically perfect in every way
fine Prosecco can handle high levels of sugar
produce wines with around 25g/l that are stunning
‘Pink’ Prosecco is nearly always labelled Prosecco Rosé; the Italians recognise that ‘rosé’ is an easier sell than ‘rosato’
and these expressions can be delicious across all price points
The Consorzio made a wise decision to make Pinot Nero the blending choice
Its vibrant red berry fruit is a perfect foil for Glera’s peaches-and-cream flavours
With lovely colours ranging from pale ‘baby pink’ through pale peach to mid-coral
strawberry or occasionally cranberry nuances accenting the rounder apple and white orchard flavours of Glera and more texture to the mousse
These examples are very pretty and eminently delightful
The awarded wines are worth drinking at exceptionally attractive prices
There is a distinct movement upwards in quality
reflecting the ambitions of the finest producers
and longer lees maturation times al influence this improvement in quality
it seems fair to say that Prosecco has something to offer every wine drinker
With its Italian heritage and relaxed lifestyle
and to find our more about the competition
The Prosecco Masters provides a chance for your wines to star
The 2023 competition was judged on 8 March at Ibis Styles
or Bronze medals according to their result
Please visit the Global Masters website for more information
to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
Prosecco’s huge global popularity may centre on its easy-drinking DOC wines
but producers are also becoming known for their seriousness and complexity
PROSECCO SEEMS to be a bubble that is constantly rising
The trade figures for 2024 demonstrate the luminosity of the Italian fizz: 660 million bottles sold
and a staggering market value of €3.6 billion
What the judges in the Prosecco Masters found this year is that this sparkling wine has diversity beyond its simpler style
More serious Prosecco Treviso DOC wines turn up in the middle tier of the Prosecco pyramid
These wines lead onto Superiore DOCG wines from Conegliano Valdobbiadene
inexpensive (£10–£15) Prosecco Veneto DOC wines are so quaffable
and the relatively low alcohol makes the wines appealing
Bright orchard fruit and white flowers meld with moderate sweetness and velvet bubble texture
while crisp acidity adds structure and freshness
Most of these young drinking wines are produced in an extra dry style with around 12-17g/l residual sugar
The wines are delicious for drinking in the spring season whether at a garden party or as an aperitif pre-dinner
Bocelli 1831 and La Gioiosa are three wines to look for
The wines in the £15–£20 bracket seem to have hit the sweet spot this year
There are excellent DOC wines and a few DOCGs at this price point
which have more depth and interest and are well worth the extra cost
Ca’ Bolani’s Prosecco Spumante DOC and Mionetto’s Valdobbiadene DOCG Luxury Collection Brut are all wines that showed particularly well
Giusti and high-quality co-operative Cantina Montelliana e dei Colli Asolani from Asolo DOCG are worth seeking out too
A number of our Gold medals came from this price bracket
but the aristocratic wines we tasted at those prices show that there are extra benefits in concentration
Bottega Gold Cru Prosecco DOC 2023 is velvety and perfumed
with racy acidity and toasty notes giving exceptional balance
Giusti Asolo Prosecco Superiore Oro and Bisol 1542 Cartizze Superiore Dry
The wines have exceptional fruit definition but are different in style: Giusti slightly drier
more linear and delicate; Bisol rounder and a little silkier in texture
Bisol edged it to take the Grand Master title
Both wines will certainly make their way into our cellars
Rosé Prosecco is a fairly recent phenomenon
authorised by the Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco only in 2020 and labelled ‘rosé’ because that fits the international term for pink wines
and so makes the wines easier to market and sell
Pinot Nero’s vibrant red berry fruit is an excellent foil for Glera’s gently grapey
With lovely colours ranging from pale baby pink through to peach and salmon
these wines have subtle red fruits accenting the rounder
apple and white orchard fruit flavours of Glera
Pinot Nero adds more texture to the mousse
The awarded wines are delightful and well worth drinking
Some of our favourite examples come from the likes of Foss Marai
Valdobbiadene Conegliano DOCG and Cartizze DOCG also showed very well
there is a continuing trend towards higher quality
The wines are an affordable luxury at price points to suit almost every wine consumer
Prosecco embodies the spirit of Italy in every glass
Note: This is an excerpt from "Proseccoland Sparkles," which originally appeared in the April 30, 2016, issue of Wine Spectator.
Wine doesn't get much trendier or harder to understand than Prosecco, the popular northern Italian sparkler with a head-spinning range of styles.
There's no more enjoyable way to experience the full gamut of Proseccos—from rustic to sophisticated—than by sipping and eating your way across the heart of the steep, terraced hills north of Venice in the peaceful and bucolic Prosecco appellation.
The Prosecco Superiore appellation, centered in the hills of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, a historic countryside dating from the Roman Empire through the battlefronts of World War I, lies within a two-hour drive of the Venice airport.
Visitors to Venice shouldn't hesitate to explore this nearby wine country, although Prosecco tourism still takes a backseat to hiking, biking and other forms of travel recreation.
"We are in the capital of bubbles in the world," enthuses Gianluca Bisol, 50, the exuberant president of Bisol winery, citing Prosecco's rise to its current position as the world's most exported sparkling wine. "But," he adds, "when you arrive in Valdobbiadene, there is very little experience around Prosecco."
Unlike in Italian wine capitals such as Barolo or Chianti, wine hospitality here remains underdeveloped. But Bisol predicts it won't stay that way.
In fact, change has already begun. More and more wineries are adding guest accommodations and offering visits and tours. Restaurants, trattorias and cafés are growing their wine lists to showcase local breadth and variety. One symbol of the move to distinctive character is that Prosecco is no longer served in Champagne flutes but in generous glasses, including a diamond-shaped version developed by local producers and Riedel.
The winding, scenic drive from Valdobbiadene to Conegliano takes about an hour. The best visiting strategy is to choose a base for three days and explore from there.
From his family's winery in the heart of Valdobbiadene's vineyards, Alberto Ruggeri suggests how to learn about Prosecco. "Go to the top of the Cartizze hill," says Ruggeri, 38, pointing upward from his Le Colture winery. "There you can understand everything."
Ruggeri regularly leads guests to the top of Cartizze, Prosecco Superiore's most coveted rocky limestone terroir (comprising 250 acres cultivated by 140 growers) and walks them along the ridge of his family's steeply sloping vineyard.
The view is stunning. Uphill behind him are dense forests of the Alpine foothills. Looking down and southward, you see a sprawling range of slopes and valleys that drop off to the flat vineyards and industrial plains south of the Piave River. The hills of Valdobbiadene and beyond are dotted with evocative architecture, including beautiful bell towers, abbeys and historic villas.
Out on the horizon, about 50 miles south, is Venice, with its famously crowded canals, piazzas and palaces. But here on Cartizze this Saturday morning, there are no tourists.
Still, guest rooms can be scarce, so it's wise to book well in advance, particularly for weekends of the main season, which runs from April to October. Between winery visits and meals, plan time for short trips to see other sites, including villas open to the public, the medieval castle-topped town of Asolo, and the canals and monuments of tiny Vittorio Veneto and of the regional capital, Treviso, which resembles Venice on a smaller (and less touristy) scale.
Note: We recommend contacting restaurants and hotels in advance to confirm hours of operation and/or any seasonal closures. When calling the following establishments from North America, dial 011 and then the telephone number.
Prices in this story have been converted to U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at press time ($1 equals 0.88 euro) and rounded to the nearest dollar. In the listings below, restaurants take all major credit cards. All hotel prices are for double rooms and include complimentary breakfast. The wineries profiled all offer English language visits; make reservations in advance by e-mail or telephone.
Ristorante Da Gigetto5 Via Alcide De Gasperi, MianeTelephone (39) 0438-960-020Website www.ristorantedagigetto.itOpen Dinner, Wednesday to Sunday; lunch Wednesday to MondayCost Entrées $14-$24; tasting menu $51
You might be drawn to this ambling farmhouse just for the wines in its cavernous cellars, tended by longtime sommelier Roberto Pieri. Since 1978, Pieri has assembled a 1,600-label wine list including large-format finds like a double-magnum of Gaja Barolo Sperss 1989 ($1,085). Founded nearly a century ago and still run by the Bortoloni family, Da Gigetto is a must.
Ristorante La Corte24 Via Roma, FollinaTelephone (39) 0438-971-761Website www.lacortefollina.comOpen Lunch and dinner, Wednesday to MondayCost Entrées $32-$43; prix fixe menus $55-$66; tasting menus $54-$89
Locanda Marinelli5 Via Castella, Col San MartinoTelephone (39) 0438-987-038Website www.locandamarinelli.itOpen Lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Monday Cost Entrées $21-$29
Hidden amid vines and a small garden at the edge of tiny Col San Martino, just southeast of Valdobbiadene, this elegant country restaurant is run by the fourth generation of the Marinelli family. Young chef Stefano Zanin turns out refined versions of classics such as risotto perfectly creamed with butter and Grana Padano and blended with pungent porcini. He also innovates with the local bubbles in dishes like his pan-fried chicken fillets simmered in a zesty Prosecco reduction.
Osteria al Castelletto3 Via Castelletto, Pedeguarda di FollinaTelephone (39) 0438-842-484 Website www.alcastelletto.comOpen Lunch and dinner, Wednesday to MondayCost Entrées $17-$23; steaks, market price; antipasti $38 per person
From the outside, this centuries-old institution may look like any other roadside trattoria. But cross the threshold and you'll be wowed by the comforting aromas, cozy country setting and food from a kitchen over which Clementina Viezzer, 70, has presided for nearly four decades.
Dining here is like visiting an indulgent Italian grandmother-you need a strategy. You can fill yourself blissfully on the delicious and copious antipasti or skip the appetizers entirely-there simply isn't room for all.
The 150-label wine list is peppered with surprises such as Ferrari Brut Trento Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 2004 ($124) and the 2004 to 2006 vintages of Antinori's Toscana Solaia ($294 each).
Trattoria Alla Cima13 Via Cima, San Pietro di Barbozza (Valdobbiadene)Telephone (39) 0423-972-711Website www.trattoriacima.itOpen Lunch, Wednesday to Monday; dinner, Wednesday to SundayCost Entrées $12-$20
Bisol Desiderio & Figli33 Via Follo, Santo Stefano di ValdobbiadeneTelephone (39) 0423-900-138Website www.bisol.itOpen By appointmentCost $10-$30
Le Colture5 Via Follo, Santo Stefano di ValdobbiadeneTelephone (39) 0423-900-192Website www.lecolture.itOpen Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., or by appointmentCost No charge for tasting only; $8 for tour and tasting
Nino Franco147 Via Garibaldi, ValdobbiadeneTelephone (39) 0423-972-051Website www.ninofranco.itOpen By appointmentCost $20-$34
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attractive and balanced from the nose of yellow apple
The superb combination of sweet and sour flavours on the palate gives a roundness to the finish and a reminder of how this style should be
Brut NVIl ColleConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGA cool
steely example; lightly frothy with a crisp lemon nose followed by citrus
Extra Dry NVUve VettorettiConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGClean aromas of yellow apple skin lead to a more fruitful palate of cooked apples and baking spices
Delicious and a very good example of its type. 11.5% n/a in UK
30 Raccolti Dossagio Zero NVAzienda Agricola Drusian FrancescoConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGLemon curd
fresh pear and golden apples combine with spring flowers and a touch of honey
Fillipo Sansovino Extra Dry NVInternational Procurement and LogisticsConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGClean and bright nose with focused green apple
pear and lemon aromas transcending into fresh acidity and a savoury finish
Wonderful freshness and weight. 11.5% n/a in UK
Rive di Farra di Soligo Extra Brut 2019La FarraConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGRich
pear and citrus are offset well with a pleasant earthy hint. 11.5% n/a in UK
Cuvée Viviana NVValdoValdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Noticeable attractive mousse lifts yellow apples and pears on the nose
Incredibly crisp clean palate of sweet and sour pear drops with underlying peachy delicate finish. 11% n/a in UK
Brut 2019Il ColleConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Perfumed and floral aromas of apple blossom and acacia flowers
Invigorating mousse with a crunchy fruit and sharp
chewy green apple finish. 11% n/a in UK
Brut 2019SalatinConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGFrom the hills of NE Italy this has a beautiful depth of flavour
elegant peach and watermelon followed by subtle nuances of almond slivers
musky rose petal and an enchantingly delicate mousse. 11% n/a in UK
Rive di Santo Stefano Extra Brut 2019Val D'OcaConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCGDelightful; creamy mousse textured by pure fresh ripe fruit: lemon
Juxtaposed and well-balanced with a yeasty
Buy This Booze
words: Keith Beavers
Prosecco is a big part of our American wine drinking culture these days
but only in the last decade or so have we come to embrace this northern Italian bubbly
Whether it’s casual bottles from the larger Prosecco DOC or more focused offerings from the smaller Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
the region has entered a new pink category into the mix
With the addition of Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero in Italian) to Glera (the Prosecco grape)
a new fruit-forward depth can be achieved in Prosecco Rosé
and laid-back personality — much like the wonderful people of the region it calls home — and
Ready for each and every drinking occasion this year may throw your way
here are 20 of the best Prosecco brands to drink in 2024
It’s made with grapes sourced from small plots across the Prosecco region and it’s a gem
The wine is soft and easy on the palate with good fruit depth
There’s something to be said about an easy-drinking Prosecco that can please a crowd
It’s bottles like this — that can be enjoyed on their own or in a Mimosa — that make us love Prosecco so much
It has a delicate palate with light fruit flavors of honeydew melon and citrus
Castello di Gabbiano has been making wine in Chianti since the 18th century
but has since traveled north to try its hand at making bubbly
It’s soft with deep fruit on the palate and soft bubbles
Luna Nuda is known for its wines in the Alto Adige region of northern Italy
so it makes sense that it also makes some Prosecco
This Prosecco smells like freshly sliced pears and honeydew melon
The palate offers a nice texture with round fruit
The bottle has a VIP-section design and the wine inside is crowd-pleasing all day long
It’s subtle on the nose and textured on the palate with a slight grip
Pour it in some flutes for a group toast or serve it in a spritz for your next aperitivo hour
started producing sparkling wine after his family had been growing grapes in Valdobbiadene since the 16th century
the family continues to carry on his legacy with bright and expressive Proseccos
This bottle has a mineral-driven nose with hints of lemon and lime zest
The palate brings active bubbles and more punchy fruit character
The Piccini family has been one of the leading producers in Chianti since its founding in 1882
the winery dabbles a bit in northern Italy
making wines like this extra-dry Prosecco (which has a touch more sweetness than the brut styles)
hilly DOCG in the Prosecco region — separate from the more well-known Valdobbiadene DOCG — located between Treviso and the Dolomites
This is an elegant Prosecco with a soft roundness and calm bubbles
On the palate the fruit has a slight depth and an even
Shoppers can find bottles from Sauvignon Blanc to Merlot across the U.S
The label makes wine in a plethora of styles and its Prosecco offering is a great option
It provides an impressive balance between sweetness
Adami is one of the more well-known winemakers in the Prosecco region
Abele Adami is said to have been the first winemaker to present a single-vineyard Prosecco in the 1930s
the winery showcases a long line of bottles that continues the legacy of showing the region’s sense of place
This wine was named after the forest that was once where the vineyards are now
It has a nose of overripe pear and a well-balanced palate
You may know this producer from many wine shops across the U.S
It’s known for its easy-drinking and affordable Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige
they also do a Prosecco from a few wine regions over in the Prosecco zone and the wine is on point
with a hint of sweetness balanced by firm yet comfy bubbles
tucked into the hills of the Prosecco DOC zone in northeastern Italy
they have what’s called a rive system
A “rive” means commune and is used to showcase a village’s sense of place
and there are 43 different rives across the region
This Prosecco comes from Rive di Guia and is a shining example of how balanced and structured Prosecco can be
The nose offers bright wafts of citrus fruit and pear
it’s a seriously balanced wine with an angular acidity
We’re listing another bottle from Andreola because this producer is really showing what Prosecco wines are capable of
This bottle comes from the Rive di Col San Martino commune
It’s terrific with a nose of freshly sliced pears
The palate is focused with a rich texture and active bubbles
Adami is known for making the first single-vineyard Prosecco in 1932 — and this bottle is made from the grapes of that same vineyard
The nose is subtle with a sweet pop on the palate that brings notes of candied peaches
is revered for carrying on the legacy of founder
who is thought to be the first to produce a brut Prosecco
This brut bottle has bright fruit notes and lively bubbles
resulting in a nice contrast between acidity and fruit
Rosé Prosecco officially became part of the DOC in 2020
It’s always a blend of Glera (the Prosecco grape) and Pinot Noir
This pink bottle of bubbly is one of the most solid Prosecco rosés on the market
It has active bubbles that help cleanse the palate
It has nice fruit depth from the Pinot Noir and finishes with a pop of candied strawberries
The Bolla family began making sparkling wine for the urban markets in the late 1930s
When the DOC officially added rosé to the Prosecco category it made sense for them to add a pink bubbly to the iconic title
Aromas of tart and candied strawberries fill the nose
The palate is balanced and subtle with a soft fruit texture and fine bubbles
Montinore has been certified biodynamic since 2008 and is on a mission in Oregon to spread the word of sustainability
made in collaboration with an organic producer in northeastern Italy
The bubbly rosé has notes of ripe strawberries and slight hints of herbs on the nose
round palate with a nice dose of minerality for refreshment
She first launched Viarae Prosecco in 2023
and this year the “Insecure” star dropped a follow-up Prosecco rosé
made with 88 percent Glera and 12 percent Pinot Noir
pops out of the glass with aromas of citrus
The palate offers red berry notes of strawberries and raspberries lifted by vivacious bubbles
Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in northeast Italy
specifically from the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine regions
The wines are mostly crafted from the Glera grape
which is required to make up at least 85 percent of the wine
Winemakers in the region use the Charmant method
we recommend seeking out a bottle around at least $12
While often thought of as sweeter than Champagne
The term “brut” means that the Prosecco is very dry — or
that there is very little sugar left in the wine
VinePair conducts numerous tastings for our popular Buy This Booze column and wine and spirits reviews
reliable source of information for drinkers
providing an overview applicable to day-to-day buying and drinking
we believe in purposefully tasting all products as our readers typically would
Tastings are therefore not typically conducted blind
If one considers that Prosecco has increased in production volumes by tenfold in the past 15 years
from around 60 million bottles to more than 600m today
its remarkable how the fizz has reached such a scale while retaining its appealing combination of clean
offset by a zesty edge.As for the issue of diversity
there seems to be a broadening of Prosecco styles
with successful results among the differing profiles
Prosecco does seem to best suit an ‘extra dry’ sweetness (12g-17g/l)
with around 13g-15g/l being optimal to fill out the mid-palate without tasting saccharine
there appears to be a rising number of Brut and even Extra Brut Proseccos coming on to the market
offering a slightly sharper drinking experience
Not only do these provide an appealing alternative for those preferring a drink without a hint of sweetness
a lower-calorie apéritif – should that be desirable
it was notable how fine Prosecco can carry high levels of sugar and still taste fresh
with both Mionetto and Bisol1542 remaining bright in style
despite having more than 20g/l sugar in these rare and top-end sparkling wines from a prized hill in the heart of the Valdobbiadene DOCG
Then there was further variation with source area
the Proseccos from all the DOCGs proving especially fine
it was the samples from the smaller area of Asolo that stood out for their powerful aromatics and ripe yellow fruit flavours
compensating for the fact that these wines tend to be a bit drier than their equivalents from Conegliano and Valdobbiadene
as we assessed the quality of producers now making pink Prosecco
since the authorisation to do so in the DOC came in late 2020
These proved to be a delicious addition to the category
with the cherry fruit from the Pinot Noir red wine used to give these Proseccos their colour – usually a pale salmon pink – adding a complementary characteristic to the base wines made with the Glera grape
And while these rosatos had plenty of ripe berry flavours
Fiol and Della Vite proved particularly fine examples
making a pleasing end to the UK’s largest professional tasting of Prosecco
The Global Prosecco Masters provides a chance for your wines to star
The 2022 competition was judged on 26 April at 28-50 Chelsea
and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding in their field received the ultimate accolade – the title of Prosecco Master
Please visit The Global Masters website for more information
Patricia Stefanowicz MW looks at the best expressions on the market
is always an event to anticipate with excitement
The 2023 Sparkling Wine Global Masters event was as intriguing as ever
The day featured a diverse range of sparkling wines from different countries and regions that do not always fit into other Masters events
the better sparkling wines shone with star-bright brilliance
Our small number of samples from Champagne shows again how complex the Grandes Marques wines of Champagne are
these wines are at the pinnacle of global sparkling wines
An intriguing set of English sparkling wines
show that they are more than understudies in their roles
gentle yeast accents and just the right amount of balancing sweetness
The same could be said of cool-climate wines from Trentodoc in northern Italy or indeed for cooler areas in Austria
with Catalunya and Castilla-La Mancha showing nicely with either the traditional Cava grape varieties of Xarel.lo
or as blends with the more ‘modern’ style incorporating Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
it is hardly surprising that sparkling wines are enduringly popular
The Sparkling Masters provides a chance for your wines to star
The 2023 competition was judged on 10 May at Ibis Styles
and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Sparkling Master
Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura
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the family of Valerio Carmelo Dorigo announce his passing on August 11
the 4th of 6 children. Val came to Canada in his late 20's
working for the railroad as a stone mason. He met the love of his life
Patricia Stinn while building the Travelodge in Vernon over 50 years ago.
After living in Kamloops with his wife Pat for a few years
they moved back to Vernon where they raised their 6 children Bryan (Shelly)
Gregory and Monique (Jay). They have been blessed with 18 grand children and 5 great grand children.
Val worked passionately as a seasonal stone mason
You will see some of his beautiful mason work creations at several local churches and private homes. Val and Pat raised their family in several homes he built over the years including an acreage in Okanagan Landing
finally retiring on part of the old Stinn family homestead on East Hill in Vernon for the last 20 years.
Val's favourite past-times were travelling with his family
making wine and searching for lost treasures in local dumpsters which helped him support a family in India
Val's creative and loving soul will be sadly missed
but fondly remembered for his generous contributions to the church
August 15th at 7:00 pm and a funeral will be held on August 16th at 11:00 am.Additional Photo(s):
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with rosé expressions having been given the green light
there is more choice than ever for the world’s fizz lovers
We reveal the stylistic trends and best wines from The Prosecco Masters 2021
and you’re considering how to create a new category of drinks
Prosecco is the ideal place to look for ideas
to become a 500 million bottle a year business
well beyond it traditional association with celebratory times
almost any occasion is ripe for sipping this light
which is now by far the largest sparkling wine type in the world in terms of volumes sold
then you’ll want to consider every aspect of its success
combined with positive Italian associations and its easy-to-pronounce memorable name
it’s the product that’s key – both in terms of style and quality
And it’s this aspect that the annual Prosecco Masters seeks to consider
it’s clear that the base standard is high for Prosecco
as it means that the customer isn’t disappointed
but with wine taste and style fairly similar at the lower end of the price spectrum
It’s not one of those categories where there are swings in sweetness levels
While this relates to the region: Prosecco uses
it’s also connected to technology – the region’s producers employ state-of-the-art winemaking equipment to create pristine fizz
among almost 200 samples in 2021’s Prosecco Masters
there were fewer than a handful of wines where I detected a touch of tired fruit
This is a wine style where the freshness relates to a number of factors
the just-picked taste of the fruit that’s used to make the product
with Prosecco there’s nothing faded in the taste
and you have something pleasing and easy to identify
Such traits have also been key to the remarkable performance of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in this century
But that’s not to suggest there aren’t differences in Prosecco
One reason for variation relates to sourcing
whether the grapes were grown in the hillier historic areas of the region
as opposed to the generally flatter plains of this part of Italy
which are used for the much larger Prosecco DOC
the DOCG offerings are a touch more expensive
suggesting that top sites in the DOC can rival those of the DOCG
in my experience from this year’s competition
the DOCG sparkling wines tend to have a purer
more defined fruit expression than the DOC Proseccos at similar prices
The former also tend to have a bit less sugar too
requiring the fruit in DOCG wines to be faultless and fully ripe
while allowing the taste of such fine grapes to shine
without the masking effect that can arise from perceptible sweetness
if you like combination of ripe peach and crisp apple
And if you are content with a simpler sweet pear sensation
the DOCG of Asolo appears an especially good place to go
as the fruit character from this lesser-known and smaller area tends to be richer
if you want something with a distinctive personality
which is used for the best sub-regions of the DOCGs
where hillside vineyards tend to yield sparkling wines with intensity
The go-to producer for these styles is Andreola
which manages to capture Prosecco at its best
more commonly associated with Champagne or English sparkling wine
then Cartizze is the pinnacle of Prosecco – but it’s pricy
it presents the ultimate expression of tank-method fizz
and refreshingly racy – a style perfected by Bisol1542
The subject of sweetness levels is important for Prosecco
That’s because some of the drink’s appeal lies in the fact that it’s not too dry
around 13g/l-15g/l being a level that provides richness without tasting saccharine
can be palatable if the fruit is fully ripe
such a style can surprise your average Prosecco drinker
As the newly allowed sub-category of DOC Prosecco – bear in mind that DOCG regions have not authorised this colour variant – there is much excitement about its arrival
While this is justified on the basis that pink fizz is popular
Prosecco rosato is not a markedly different proposition in terms of taste
Made by adding 10-15% wine from Pinot Noir to the white wine base for making Prosecco
the character of the wine is similar to its long-standing blanco variant: the Prosecco Rosés I tasted combined plenty of the usual peach and pear fruit you find in blanco Prosecco
One thing I did notice related to colour: of the some 40 Prosecco rosés I sampled
all of them were pretty much the same shade of pale salmon pink
It seems producers are not going to risk anything deeper in terms of colour appearance
That’s doubtless because the pale hue of Provencal rosé has influenced the world of pink wine producers
especially the commercially-savvy ones in Prosecco
Read on for the list of all the medal-winning wines in this year’s Prosecco Masters
as well as further information about the competition
And you can click here to read my read top 10 Proseccos for all styles and occasions, compiled using the highlights from this the 2021 competition.
The Global Prosecco Masters is a competition created and run by the drinks business
and forms part of its successful Masters series for noble grape varieties
such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; major wine styles
from sparkling to rosé; and famous regions including Rioja
The competition is exclusively for Prosecco
Please visit The Global Masters website for more information, or
to enter future competitions please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com
13 mountain stages from May 9 to June 1 for 108th edition of Corsa Rosa
The 2025 Giro d'Italia appears to have it all
with a testing international start in Albania
30km of strade bianche gravel roads and even the gravel roads of the Colle delle Finestre climb in the Alps before a long transfer to Rome for the final stage
This year there are many more mountains to climb during the 21 stages in May
with eight medium mountain stages and five mountain stages
with tough climbs in the south of Italy and the steep San Pellegrino in Alpe in the Tuscan Apennines
stage 16 includes five climbs to the west of Lake Garda
while stage 17 finishes in Bormio after climbing the Mortirolo.
The final winner of the maglia rosa will be decided in the Alps
with over 9,000 metres of climbing in two days
Stage 19 is packed with four major climbs in 166km and then stage 20 climbs the mighty Colle delle Finestre
where Chris Froome attacked solo to snatch victory from Tom Dumoulin
The presentation of the 2025 route of the Giro was delayed until January but teams were apparently given details of the route so they could decide which riders will take the Corsa Rosa in May
several Italian politicians and former winners Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador attended the presentation in Rome's Auditorium della Musica
as did Giro d'Italia Women winner Elisa Longo Borghini and 2024 men's best young rider Antonio Tiberi
Details of the route of the Giro d'Italia Women can be found on the separate race page
Pogačar will almost certainly not defend his 2024 victory but 2023 winner Primož Roglič (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) has confirmed his return
Juan Ayuso is expected to lead UAE Team Emirates with Adam Yates and Isaac del Toro
Simon Yates and sprinter Olav Kooij will lead Visma-Lease a Bike
Richard Carapaz is expected to lead EF Education-Easypost
while Romain Bardet (Picnic PostNL) has opted to end his Grand Tour at the Giro
Several teams are hoping to secure the final three wild card invitations alongside the 18 WorldTour teams and Israel-Premier Tech
Tudor watches are again the Giro and RCS Sport 'timing sponsor' and that should ensure them a place
Stage 1 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 1 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)The start across the Adriatic sea in Albania is the 15th start outside of Italy
The two countries have strengthened relations in recent years after a history of tension and mass immigration 30 years ago
The 2025 Giro will begin with a rolling 164km stage from Durazzo (Durrës) that will test the form and ambitions of the sprinters
but appears to perfectly suit Wout van Aert and his fast-finishing cohorts.
The opening day of racing in Albania begins from the coastal city of Durazzo
with varied terrain leading inland to Tirana
riders will tackle a 22.2km circuit twice that features an ascent of Surrel with gradients in the double digits
The second time across the Surrel climb will ignite attacks for a final 12km to the finish in the city centre
Stage 2 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 2 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 2 is a 13.7km individual time trial around Tirana and so will be an early test for the GC contenders
The course includes the Sauk climb at the halfway point
with three U-turns and a few other sharp corners along the 13.7km route.
Riders will descend on the same slope for the second half of the race against the clock
banks of the Lanë river signalling a final left-hand turn to the finish
Stage 3 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 3 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)The third and final stage in Albania is a hilly 160km race around Vlorë in the south of the country
Most of the opening 65km is a constant uphill to a category 4 KOM
The middle section of the remaining 95km turns back to the north
The Qafa E Llogarasë climb (10.7km at 7.4%) will be tackled 39km from the finish
with a flat last 25km giving any chasers a chance to close any gaps
Stage 4 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 4 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Following a transfer from Albania to Puglia in the south of Italy and an early rest day on Monday
action resumes on May 13 with stage 4 from Alberobello to Lecce.
The riders and race caravan will transfer to Puglia in the south of Italy on Sunday night and Monday by plane and boat
and start stage 4 in Alberobello for a 187 kilometre stage to Lecce on Tuesday
Stage 5 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 5 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Another flat day comes on stage 5
with a 144km route starting in Ceglie Messapica with the middle section along the Metaponto coast
Once riders make sharp turn inland at Lido di Metaponto
a category 4 ascent to Montescaglioso must be crested and then 25 rolling kilometres more to the finish in Matera
Stage 6 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 6 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 6 is long at 226km and is hilly early on before a late climb overlooking the Bay of Naples
The stage begins in Potenza in the Basilicata and heads northwest
taking on two KOMs on the route before unleashing sprinters for the finish in Naples.
The first KOM hits at kilometre 40 and is a long
a manageable category 3 at Monteforte Irpino
with the path to Naples going north of Mount Vesuvius
Stage 7 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 7 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)The first summit finish of the 2025 Giro d'Italia awaits on stage 7 as the riders enter the Apennines
The 168km route begins in Castel di Sangro with an immediate ascent of 7.4km to Roccaraso
then rockets down the next 54km for the ascent of category 2 Monte Urano (4.5km
The transition to the penultimate climb of the day is short
The Vado della Forcella must scaled across 21.6km
The route rolls through a flat valley before hitting the final ascent from Tagliacozzo to Marsia
with the last 3km of the 12.6km climb featuring persistent double-digit gradients.
Stage 8 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 8 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 8 is close to 200km and includes the steep 'muri' climbs of Le Marche
The stage starts in Giulianova with 3,700 metres of elevation gain
using the steep climbs of often raced during Tirreno-Adriatico
It includes a sequence of 'muri' including the Santa Maria Maddalena
Castel Santa Maria (uncategorised climb) and Gagliole.
There are a total of four categories climbs on the day
the first one after the opening 53km at Croce di Casale
it's a swift 6.5km to the finish in Castelraimondo
Stage 9 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 9 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 9 from Gubbio to Siena includes five gravel sections across 30km made famous in Strade Bianche and the finish in Siena's Piazza del Campo
The 181km stage provides 46km before the first uphill challenge to La Cima
a 4km stiff climb that is a third category
the third one a 9.3km ascent to the KOM at San Martino in Grania
The final pair of gravel sectors are much shorter
but steep - Monteparti and Colle Pinzuti - which leave 13km remaining for the scamper up the Via Santa Caterina to the centre of Siena
Stage 10 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 10 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)After a transfer from Siena to Lucca on Monday
the race resumes on the Tuscan coast for stage 10 for the second and final individual time trial of the Giro.
Riders embark on a relatively flat 28.6km race against the clock from Lucca
with one slow rise in the middle of the course
But the attention soon shifts to the back half of the course that follows the Medici aqueduct to reach the Arno river and a finish framed by the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the spectacular Piazza dei Miracoli
It is an homage to Knut Knudsen’s win back in 1977
Stage 11 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 11 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)A mid-week contest in a return to the Apennines could shake up the general classification
From Viareggio the route begins at sea level and climbs to 1,397 metres in elevation in the opening 91km on the Alpe San Pellegrino
The 9km climb brings gradients hitting 20%
winding descent through the woods of the Apennines leads to a pair of category 2 climbs
first at Toano and then Pietra di Bismantova
for the final 10km to the finish at Castelnovo ne' Monti
Stage 12 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 12 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)After a hard day of climbing
Thursday brings early hills from Modena and then the second half of the 172km route transitions to flat terrain in the Po Valley for a sprinter's battle in Viadana
the stage culminates with a 26.6km circuit touching the town of Sabbioneta
Stage 13 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 13 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)It's another day for the sprinters with 180km between Rovigo and Vicenza
with a series of five category 4 ascents to force teams to focus on positioning
Flat terrain then continues for the next 90km to San Giovanni in Monte
the riders will complete two laps of a 20.3km circuit featuring via Pilla and a second pass of Monte Berico
Stage 14 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 14 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)A flat stage through the Veneto plain and southern Friuli awaits on stage 14
the route remains inland for the entirety of 186km
taking in a section of neighboring Slovenia
There are ups and downs of Collio then two laps of a 13.8km circuit linking the two cities of Nova Gorica and Gorizia
Each lap includes pases over a small KOM at Saver
which after the second pass launches riders for the final 8.5km
Stage 15 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 15 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Major mountains return to the menu on Sunday
as stage 15 serves 3,900 metres of elevation gain across 214km
the route clips along for 42km to pass the Muro di Ca' del Poggio KOM and then begins the 43km approach to the mid-race monster
tackled from a traditional downhill side from the Strada Cadorna
A descent to Feltre leads to the Dori ascent (16.6km at 5.3%) from Enego
Stage 16 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 16 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)The third and final rest day on Monday
May 26 sets up five consecutive days in the high mountains for a showdown in Rome on June 1.
Five of the final six stages are in the high mountains as the Giro crosses from the Veneto region in the east to the Alps in the west
via Bormio and the Valtellina area close to Switzerland
There's no gradual entry for the climbing as stage 16 delivers five classified climbs for 4,900 metres of elevation gain across nearly 200km
From Villa Contarini in Piazzola sul Brenta
the route enters Trentino from the Val d'Astico
La Fricca (13km at 4.3%) begins a series of climbs and ascents
Santa Barbara (12.8km at 8.3%) and the final ascent on Brentonico (17.5km at 6.3%) to the mountaintop finish at San Valentino
Stage 17 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 17 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)The mighty Mortirolo follows the Passo del Tonale for a one-two punch in the middle of stage 17
this 154km route likely to create gaps in the GC
the route heads north-west to the heart of the Alta Valtellina of the Italian Alpes near Switzerland
the 15.1km ascent of the Tonale (6.1% average gradient) begins.
A gradual descent leads to the Passo del Mortirolo (12.7km at 7.6%)
climbed from the easier side from Monno but still a challenge with the average kicking to 9.6% on the final three kilometres
with a category 3 KOM at Le Motte (3.2km at 7.9%) to the arrival in Bormio
Stage 18 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 18 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Opportunities abound on stage 18 as the Giro heads west via Cesano Maderno near Milan
breakaway riders look to extend their margins for a series of three classified climbs between kilometre 29.5 and 78
In that stretch are Parlasco (7.7km at 5.8%)
Colle di Balisio (4.7km at 3.4%) and Ravellino (8.7km at 4.4%)
The after an uncategorised climb at Sirtori
more flat terrain unfolds for 57.5km into Cesano Maderno where two 12.5km finishing laps decide if a break stays away
Stage 19 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 19 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Friday showcases a high mountain stage that soars into the Val d'Aosta and includes 4,950 metres of elevation gain across 166km
with descending a major skill needed as well to complete the journey from Biella to Champoluc.
After climbing immediately at Croce Sera (11.5km at 4.5%) and traversing 25km in the Dora Baltea valley
three successive category 1 ascents will hit the legs hard
each ranging in similar distances from 15 to 16km
Col Tzecore is first with an average of 7.5% gradient
then Col Saint-Pantaléon at 7.3% average and Col de Joux at 6.8% average
followed by the final climb to Antagnod (9.6km at 4.5%) that leaves 5km to the finish
Stage 20 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 20 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)A final showdown in the mountains on the penultimate day of racing is similar to Friday
with four categorised climbs and an additional 37 kilometres for 203km total
It's a rolling start from Verrès as the category 4 Corlo (4.3km at 4.2%) signals bigger hills.
the 13.6km climb to Colle del Lys (average of 4.2%) indicates attack time to the Colle delle Finestre
the highest climb of the 2025 Giro and this year's Cima Coppi
There is also 8km of gravel on a 9% gradient
the final 17.7km push to Sestirere remains
Stage 21 profile for 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)Stage 21 map for the 2025 Giro d'Italia(Image credit: RCS Sport)The race caravan will descend to Turin after the stage for a plane or fast train to Rome and the 780km transfer
The recent Rome finishes have been spectacular in the Eternal City but questions remain about the environmental concerns of such a long haul for a final stage
The winner of the 2025 Giro d'Italia will again be crowned in the shadows of the Colosseum and Roman ruins
with the sprinters given one last shot at victory in the Italian capital
the entire race caravan transitions 780km to rome for the finale
Stage 21 is similar to those in past years
featuring an initial back-and-forth to the Tyrrhenian coast at Lido di Ostia followed by eight laps of the 9.5km city circuit
Stephen FarrandSocial Links NavigationHead of NewsStephen is one of the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team
having reported on professional cycling since 1994
He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022
before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters
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Prosecco is more popular than ever and from the bacaros of La Serenissima into the Veneto its qualities are being celebrated – and visiting its producers makes for a great wine holiday
Read moreAs I’ve come to the Veneto to learn more about this surgingly popular sparkling wine (Britons bought 85m bottles of prosecco last year; the UK market is expected to grow by more than 10% between now and 2020) it feels appropriate that Venice is my first stop
it would be rude not to spend an afternoon dipping in and out of tiny wine bars around the city
getting a sense of how prosecco ought to be drunk
before heading inland to find out how it is made
London – who is scouting for new sparkling wines to stock at his restaurant – negotiates the cicchetti
View image in fullscreenBottoms up … Cantina Do Mori
refined version of the often sickly sweet drink I know from back home
noting the flavour of Williams pear common to most types of prosecco
He takes another sip and raises a conspiratorial eyebrow
Our next stop, in the university area of Dorsoduro, is a lovely little canal-side bar called Adriatico Mar
which specialises in food and wine from Italy’s coastal regions
beginning with a sublime baccalà (salt cod) crostini with pink peppercorns
I do try an interesting still wine made from glera
It has the grapefruit notes that you find in some proseccos but no sparkle and very little of the sweetness
Luca is keen to show me yet another side of prosecco
one that has become increasingly popular in recent years
and so we slip out of Venice and drive north-east to Ponte di Piave
In this unassuming town on the Veneto flatlands
Carolina Gatti has been putting her stamp on the family winery since she took over in 2012
We visit her home amid the vineyards for dinner – pork ribs in red wine – and try her version of prosecco
its robust apple and baked-bread flavours a world away from the delicate drink we had earlier at Do Mori
Col fondo is not just a new trend: it’s how Carolina’s family has been making prosecco for generations
since it started becoming fashionable outside the region
that she has started bottling it for public consumption
Carolina’s wines are magnificent – gutsy and complex – but by this stage I’m craving a bit of scenery
we head north into the mountainous heart of prosecco country
It’s not necessarily better than DOC prosecco from the wider Veneto
but it tells you that the bubbles in your glass come from the heartlands
where prosecco has been made since the mid-19th century
Encircling the region is the Strada del Prosecco, a 90km wine route that winds through villages and past ancient churches, castles and hermitages, as well as endless rows of neatly planted vines. We join it at Conegliano and head west, passing the Scuola Enologica
The landscape gets progressively hillier towards Valdobbiadene and at a certain point the mist clears
revealing the snowy Dolomites in the far distance
View image in fullscreenVineyards near Conegliano
Photograph: Gito Trevisan/Getty ImagesOn a hilltop above Col San Martino
Gazing out across the undulating landscape
it seems that every available inch of land
is planted with vines – it’s no surprise that the DOCG area yields 90m bottles of prosecco a year
We descend to the town of Sernaglia della Battaglia
There’s no sign outside – it’s known locally as Silmava’s – and the interior is plain
red and yellow tiles on the floor and framed poems on the wall
though Silmava notes that drinking habits have changed over the years and early-morning customers these days want coffee instead of wine
We have a couple of glasses of chilled col fondo to correct the balance
The final stop of our trip is Malibràn
with its looming 13th-century castle of San Salvatore
Though his farm is several times larger than Carolina’s
Maurizio Favrel still harvests his grapes by hand
explaining how his col fondo is fermented in the bottle after an initial stage in a steel tank
whereas his filtered prosecco is tank-fermented all the way through
View image in fullscreenSan Salvatore Castle in Susegana
Photograph: Gito Trevisan/Getty ImagesAfter the tour
where Maurilio unpacks the vegetables and seafood we bought from the Rialto market the day before and gets cooking
As well as feeding us handsomely – with castraure artichokes
gratinated langoustine and a brodetto of sea bass and monkfish – Maurilio helps deliver the last and most important lesson of the trip
Prosecco shouldn’t be thought of as merely an aperitif
If it’s good enough and has a bit of col fondo character
but it certainly isn’t a drawback if you are
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