I love the surprised look that my friends get when I rattle off Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Honestly, I'm not just showing off my hard-earned and still far from perfect pronunciation; I really want people to know that there's more to Prosecco than the cheap and pleasant sparkling wine that is ubiquitous at boozy brunches. While many producers have taken advantage of Prosecco's popularity to flood the market with inferior wines, Prosecco Superiore is in a class all by itself.
What makes Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG so special? Some of the clues are in the name. These sparkling wines have a true sense of place -- the majestic steep hillsides of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, in north east Italy about 30 miles from Venice and 64 miles from the Dolomites. The production zone for Prosecco Superiore DOCG is limited to the 15 hilly communes between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Prosecco Superiore wines must contain a minimum of 85% Glera; the grape that is the heart and soul of Prosecco. The region also has the distinction of being the home of Italy's first wine school, which was founded in 1876. Glera grapes at Masottina's vineyards
Vines have been grown in the region since ancient times and the first written reference to Prosecco dates back to 1772. Building on centuries of tradition, knowledge, and innovation, winemakers in Conegliano Valdobbiadene are focused on crafting quality wines that authentically express the terroir. These wines are designated Prosecco Superiore for a reason and their superb quality earned them the coveted DOCG designation in 2009 -- the highest level of quality for Italian wines.
Within the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Rive and Cartizze are smaller and specialized areas within the larger region. In the local dialect, Rive refers to steep hillside vineyards and the wines are made exclusively from hand-picked grapes grown in 43 different hamlets and villages. The Superiore di Cartizze category is even more exclusive: this sub-zone of just 107 hectares is composed of the steepest hillsides of three villages in Valdobbiadene. Masottina Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut DOCG NV ($22)
I had the pleasure of visiting Masottina winery in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene region in 2017 and fell in love with the wines and the region. Founded in 1946, and still owned and managed by the Dal Bianco family, Masottina takes no short cuts and is committed to crafting wines that authentically express their terroir. Their Prosecco Superiore, made from 100% Glera, is so vivacious, crisp, and fresh, it reminds me of tasting the grape directly from the vine.
Nino Franco "Rustico" Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG ($19)
Whenever friends tell me that Prosecco is pleasant but nothing special, I can always count on Nino Franco to win them over. Founded in 1919, Nino Franco is one of the oldest wineries in the region and their winemaking mastery shows in every sip. Dry, creamy, and crisp with fine bubbles and elegant fruit & flowery flavors, this is a gorgeous 100% Glera bubbly with tremendous texture and minerality.
La Marca "Luminore" Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG ($30)
A limited-edition Prosecco Superiore crafted to celebrate La Marca's 50th anniversary, Luminore is a crisp and lively expression of the Glera grape with charming flavors of white pear, fresh citrus, and subtle floral notes. A festive sip with a flirty finesse, Luminore's ebullient nature was inspired by the sunny hillsides of Valdobbiadene.
Masottina "Le Rive di Ogliano" Conegliano Valdobbiandene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry, 2017 DOCG ($27)
To understand the allure of Rive, this wine from Masottina is a superb example of why Prosecco Superiore from one of these 43 zones is so acclaimed -- it is an extraordinary conduit of terroir. Soft but well-structured, Le Rive di Ogliano Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry has more residual sugar than the brut, but the wine is so beautifully balanced that the sugar delicately lifts zesty citrus, crisp pear, juicy mandarin and wraps them around a mineral core.
Mionetto Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG ($45)
Mionetto is one of the most popular Italian wine brands in the world, but few people realize that their rich history dates back to 1887. Founded by Francesco Mionetto in the heart of Valdobbiadene, their wines are known for consistency and quality. Their Cartizze is a step above and truly special; it is a limited-production wine that represents the highest quality of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Crafted from select grapes grown exclusively in a 246-acre area in the steepest hills of Valdobbiadene, Mionetto's Cartizze displays a seductive richness and texture that is surprisingly complex for Glera. But the grape's inherent grace remains and the gorgeous medley of pear, citrus, and apple flavors, with a touch of glazed almonds, powerfully express Glera's capacity to produce wines with nuance and depth.
Congeliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG may be tricky to pronounce but so easy to love! Click here to learn more about these charming sparking wines. Cheers!
