Sparkling Wine

When we talk about sparkling wines, it usually refers to effervescent sparkling wines, having a higher presence of carbon dioxide capable of creating that patina above defined as "sparkling". Even the taste will be more effervescent. Let's talk about sparkling wines and how they are made.

SPARKLING WINE: HISTORY AND ANCIENT ORIGINS

The Italian sparkling wine was born thanks to Carlo Gancia, a young wine entrepreneur that in 1850 tried the Champenoise method on local grapes from Piemonte, in particular white muscat vines.

As a matter of fact, sparkling wine has very ancient origins; it is also cited in the Holy Bible, at the 75 Psalm. It stated that “A cup where a wine is foaming is a wine supported by the Most High’s hands, by Javhé, as a sign of devotion and acknowledgement”.

Sparkling wine was already a very discussed topic during the Roman era. It was defined as ‘wine with foam’, even if it had a more embryonic production process, refined with time and technological evolution. At the time, it was divided into aigleucos and ancinatico. They are two types of effervescent wines.

The name aigleucos refers to sparkling wines, produced by mixing most with honey that has rested in cold water, in order to slow the fermentation process. The ancinatico, instead, was made with different kinds of grapes, which were already dried.

With the Renaissance, people started again to discuss sparkling wine production, even if we must wait up until the second half of the 800s, for the rise of the great producing companies, that are still famous nowadays, such as Gancia.

Sparkling Wine: the art of Effervescence

Bubbles are not all the same. Let’s find out the different methods to produce sparkling wines.

The classic method: The Metodo Classico or traditional method consists in transforming the wine into a sparkling one directly in the bottle. The sugar and the added yeasts will receive a second alcoholic fermentation, producing carbon dioxide that, after being forced inside the bottle, will give the wine its traditional foam.

A mixture of wine, sugar, and yeasts, selected for the refermentation in the bottle, will be added to the base wine. The refermented wine will have higher alcohol by volume of about 1.2% vol and the presence of higher carbon dioxide, that is bubbles.

Champenoise method: Whenever someone mentions the Champenoise method, they refer exclusively to champagne production. In fact, there is a European directive that bans the use of the term ‘Champenois’ to all sparkling wines outside of the Champagne region.

Martinotti method: with this method, the refermentation takes place in autoclaves. Because of the fastness of the production process, the wine scents are almost evident. In order to accelerate the production process and reduce costs, the Italian Federico Martinotti, director of the Royal Asti Wine Station, has the idea of making sparkling wine in a big watertight container, similar to an autoclave. 

The project has been passed to French engineer Eugène Charmat that, around 1910 built and licensed the autoclaves that will make possible the process created by Martinotti. This method allows producing both sweet and dry sparkling Italian wine, such as the Asti sparkling wine, Moscatos, Prosecco sparkling wine, and aromatic Malvasias.

Sparkling Italian Wine: where it's Produced and why it's Special

Prosecco: Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia

When it comes to sparkling Italian wine, Prosecco is a household name. The wine is grown in two regions, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Prosecco is a DOC wine "Denominazione di Origine Controllata", meaning it has to come from a specific area to be called Prosecco. The area spans nine provinces in the Veneto and Friuli regions. The tiny area around the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene produces Prosecco Superiore DOCG, the next level up.

Franciacorta: Lombardy

Franciacorta is a DOCG Sparkling Italian Wine produced in the province of Brescia. Made using the Traditional Method (also called Metodo Classico), it boasts similar depth and flavor to Champagne. 

Franciacorta is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero grapes. The Franciacorta Italian sparkling wine comes in a rosé variety made with just Pinot Nero, Blanc de Blancs made with just Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco, and the famous Blanc de Noir made with just Pinot Nero grape variety.

Trento DOC: Trentino

This high-altitude region produces Trento DOC is one of the best Italian sparkling wines. Trento DOC uses Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Bianco grapes, all grown within a specific area of the Trentino region. Made following the Traditional Method, it's known for its crisp acidity.

Asti Spumante: Piedmont

Like Prosecco, Asti Spumante is made using the Charmat Method, resulting in a fresh fruit flavor because it's not aged for very long. Asti is produced throughout southeastern Piedmont, especially around Asti and Alba. It's made with Moscato Bianco grapes, so it's sweeter and lower in alcohol than some other Italian sparkling wines on this list. This sweetness makes it a great option for pairing with dessert.

Alta Langa: Piedmont

Another Piedmont Italian sparkling wine region is Alta Langa, made using Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grapes following the Traditional Method. The wine can be white or rosé, depending on the percentages of those grapes, but it must age for at least 30 months.

Lambrusco: Emilia-Romagna

Last but not least is Lambrusco, a red sparkling Italian wine. It's made using the Lambrusco grape grown in four areas in Emilia-Romagna and Mantua in Lombardy. Three of these wine zones are associated with some of Emilia-Romagna's most famous DOC food items: Modena, home of balsamic vinegar, Parma with its iconic ham, and Reggio.

How to produce Prosecco the Italian sparkling wine

Prosecco can be produced by the Glera Vineyard, where there are specific kinds of white grapes, that can be used pure and exclusively or with 15% of Pinot, Chardonnay, Verdiso, and Bianchetto grapes. The grapes are harvested and slightly pressed in steel tanks until most are extracted. This last element is mixed with enzymes and selected yeasts. After this process, the mixture is fermented at 18 degrees temperature.

At this point, it is possible to continue with the creation of the Italy sparkling wine, in order to understand which kind of Prosecco can be produced. The Martinotti method will be used, where the wine is put into autoclaves with canned sugar and yeasts, fermenting. This step will last 50 days and later the bottling will begin.

Prosecco sparkling wine can be divided into

• Brut: on the palate, it is drier and with less saccharine concentrate, but it is also tastier because of the almost acidic scent, perfect for food.
• Extra brut: this also can be less sweet and dry, in confront with dry ones, because there is very little sugar
• Dry: the sweetest kind of Prosecco, the most preferred for aperitifs and desserts, with quantities of sugar residues between almost 17 and 32 grammes per liter.
• Extra Dry: this kind can also taste very sweet and soft on the palate. It is the most preferred for aperitifs and desserts. The sugar is up to 12 and 17 grammes per liter.

The best Italian sparkling wine

Among the best Italian sparkling wine, we have in pole position the Contadi Castaldi Brut Franciacorta DOCG. Straw yellow color and soft foam. The nose is fresh and aromas of bread crust, floral notes of linden, but also peach and apricot are immediately perceived, with a spicy finish.

In the mouth, it is very full-bodied with a spicy aftertaste. Excellent as an aperitif and to accompany soups and velvety. This Italian Franciacorta sparkling wine Blanc de Blanc is available in different bottle formats.

Then we have Bellavista Gran Cuvée Alma Brut Franciacorta sparkling wine DOCG, from the same family, a straw yellow with greenish reflections. The nose has fruity notes with hints of vanilla. In the mouth, it is sapid and soft with notes of fruit and a long finish.

A brut sparkling wine excellent as an aperitif and to accompany fish-based dishes. The result of a combination of vintage base wines and selected reserves, this Italian sparkling wine contains around 77% Chardonnay grapes varieties, around 22% Pinot Noir and 1% Pinot Bianco. A fine Spumante that cannot be missing in the cellar of an Italian Wine Lover!

A Prosecco sparkling wine worthy of note is the Bortolomiol Prosecco Prior Brut Millesimato Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG. The best sparkling wine of the traditional DOCG line of Bortolomiol. Pale straw-coloured and brilliant. The nose reveals floral notes and citrus notes.

On the palate, it is fresh with an aftertaste of balsamic notes. Due to its freshness, this sparkling wine from Italy goes well as an aperitif wine, with seafood and with dishes dressed with extra virgin olive oil such as fish salad. Also excellent with lard croutons.

The Ferrari brut sparkling wine Maximum Blanc De Blancs Trento DOC is the first label produced by the Italian sparkling wine brands Ferrari. From only Chardonnay grapes this Blanc de Blanc is presented in a bottle with an unmistakable style and conquers its freshness and fragrance. The nose immediately perceived pleasant hints of crusty bread and hazelnut conferred by more than 30 months of aging on the lees.

When it comes to sweet Italian sparkling wines, one notable option is Banfi Moscato d Asti DOCG. This delightful wine is particularly well-suited to pairing with desserts that have a custard base, thanks to its light and effervescent character.

Made exclusively from white Muscat grapes, it is produced using the Charmat method, which involves a carefully controlled second fermentation under pressure in large tanks with selected yeasts. This process helps to ensure that the resulting Asti Spumante is of the highest quality, with a refreshing and lively taste that perfectly complements its sweet and fruity aromas.

Among the noteworthy Italian sparkling wines, the Spumante Santero Love Spumante Extra Dry cannot be missing. At sight, it has a clear and brilliant straw yellow. The nose is fruity, primarily apple and pear, but also white melon, then white flowers and mint. Fresh and soft sip. Perfect for appetizers.

On the website www.italianwinelover.it, you will find a wide selection of the best sparkling wine. There are also dessert wines, Italian white wines, and Italian red wines that you can order directly online from the best Italian wine wholesalers.

On the website, you can find the technical data sheet of the product, understand how it is made, and take advantage of the discounts to restock your wine shop.