When someone says, “Pop the bubbly!” at any celebration, whether to raise your glass at a wedding or to celebrate the arrival of the New Year, what would you assume is in the bottle?
Champagne, of course!
Originating from the Champagne region of France and made primarily from Pinot Noir or Chardonnay grapes, Champagne is globally one of the most popular celebration drinks. Just by the numbers alone, with 26.7 million cases sold last year alone, this sparkling wine is a multi-billion dollar industry.
While Champagne reigns supreme by the price tag and numbers, there’s another giant on the market of sparkling wine hailing from Italy you’ve probably heard of, too: Prosecco!
Many people make the mistake of calling any sparkling wine “champagne,” or thinking that all sparkling wines are created equal. The reality is that champagne is just one type of sparkling wine from a specific geographical production zone of France that is produced in a specific way called the classic method. But truth be told there are numerous notable wine producers outside of France and across Italy producing sparkling wines well worth your wallet.
Italian Sparkling Wine, particularly Prosecco, is gaining popularity as a base for many popular cocktails, such as the ever-famous signature Aperol Spritz cocktail. Who doesn’t dream of sitting on a beach or on the piazza sipping Italy’s quintessential bright orange drink?! Sparkling wine is also a mainstay in Italian wine parings often serving as an aperitif, served before a meal to whet the appetite and awaken the palate and to ease your way into the appetizers in a tasting menu.
But just like France and Champagne, Prosecco certainly isn’t the only Italian Sparkling Wine on the market. Which is why we’re sharing with you inside this Ultimate Guide to Italian Sparkling wines, the most notable Italian “spumanti” (sparkling wine) that you’re going to want to try at your next dinner party or better yet on your trip to Italy!
How Is Sparkling Wine Made in Italy?
The first step to any spectacular, world-renowned wine is, of course, the grapes—the same is true for sparkling wine! While the base is the same, the magic of sparkling wine comes through the second fermentation process. In Italy, there are two primary methods used.
Metodo Classico (The Traditional Method)
The more expensive and labor-intensive of the two methods, the Metodo Classico is used to make French Champagne as well as the more prestigious sparkling wines of Italy.
The process involves a second fermentation done directly in the bottle upon the addition of tirage, a sugar and yeast mixture that contributes to the complexity and flavor of the wine. The tirage is what gives this type of wine aging potential, unlike with other methods. Additionally, the resulting bubbles are typically finer and longer-lasting, giving that elegant feeling in the mouth.
Charmat Method
Typically quicker and cheaper, the Charmat Method is commonly used to make Prosecco. Instead of the second fermentation taking place inside of the individual bottles, the wine is placed in large, pressurized stainless steel vats, fermented with sugar and yeast, then bottled under pressure.
Wines made with this method tend to be sweeter and retain their fruity flavor. Without an extended aging period, the Charmat method allows for faster and larger-scale production, which keeps production costs lower. Just one of the many reasons Prosecco doesn’t reach the price of France’s most famous labels.
Spumante vs. Frizzante
Sparkling wine is also categorized by the effervescence, or the strength of the bubbles.
Spumante sparkling wine has strong, lively bubbles, made with the Traditional or the Charmat Method and a full second fermentation process. The word spumante literally means “wine that makes foam,” which encompasses most types of sparkling wine—not to be confused with the specific type of wine, Asti Spumante!
Within the spumante category, the wine is also further categorized based on sugar content into six different levels of sweetness: extra brut, brut, extra dry, dry, demi-sec, and doux—with extra brut being the driest with up to six grams of sugar per liter and doux being the sweetest with over fifty grams of sugar per liter.
Frizzante, on the other hand, has more subtle bubbles, which creates a lighter fizz. This type of sparkling wine is made with a single fermentation or a partial fermentation in a pressurized tank.
Sparkling Wine Types in Italy
Prosecco
Over the last couple of decades, Prosecco has exploded in popularity and become Italy’s quintessential bubbly with over half a billion (yes, with a B!) bottles produced.
Made primarily from the Glera grape in Northern Italy, Prosecco is known for its intensely floral aroma and fruity flavor. Try the Rosè variety—made pink with a small percentage of red grapes, typically Pinot Noir—for an even more floral taste and smell!
Unlike champagne which typically isn’t even released on the market before two years of aging, high-quality Prosecco must be used within two years of production. Without the need for aging and the frequent utilization of the Charmat (tank) method, the cost of production for Prosecco is much lower than for Champagne.
Unfortunately, a rise in popularity can sometimes cause the quality of a wine to decrease, especially when it comes to large producers that are exporting big numbers outside of Italy. In the case of Prosecco, many vineyards have wanted to quickly enter in on the rising market, even if they have never planted Glera grapes before. This has led to some not so great Prosecco out there.
This is why we take you straight to the lesser frequented areas of UNESCO Heritage Site of the Prosecco Hills in the Veneto region of Italy. Having this designation has helped lessen this problem by prohibiting winemakers in the Unesco zone from growing new plants until old ones are cut out. Only the highest quality varieties of Prosecco, Conegliano and Asolo, are made here—also known as Prosecco Superiore DOCG with many insisting the highest quality Italian sparkling wine comes from the Cartizze area of the Prosecco hills.
Confused by DOCG? Brush up on your wine terminology here!
To combat this the high volume low-quality Prosecco, we carefully select only small sustainable winemakers in the Veneto region that want to keep alive the traditions of the past and uphold the integrity of a wine. When you join us on Northern Italian Delights in Veneto you’ll get to high-quality Prosecco from a family-owned and operated winery. Making for a unique memorable experience that leaves a positive impact on the independent winemakers and their community that you visit on this trip.
Food Pairings: Prosecco is a classic choice for aperitif and light, delicate meals. It has become a mainstay for pairing with appetizers. This bubbly also goes great with seafood, like oysters, shrimp, and smoked salmon, as well as white meats.
Lambrusco
Hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region, the frizzante sparkling wine called Lambrusco is one of Italy’s most beloved sparkling red wines, with over 400 million bottles produced yearly. Like Prosecco, Lambrusco is also made using the Charmat method and doesn’t require aging.
In its history of over 700 years, which dates all the way back to the Etruscans and the Romans, over sixty varieties of Lambrusco have been identified, but the most popular include Grasparossa, Sobara, Salamino, and Maestri. Flavors can range from dry to sweet with notes of cherry, strawberry, and watermelon in the sweeter varieties and mushrooms and minerals in the drier versions.
Food Pairings: With its lively acidity and fruity flavor profile, Lambrusco pairs well with classic tomato-based Italian pasta dishes like lasagna or Bolognese, as well as pizza. Rich, salty cheeses are also a great option to serve with your charcuterie board, particularly those hailing from Emilia-Romagna, like Parmigiano-Reggiano!
Franciacorta
Emerging as the King of Italian sparkling wines, Franciacorta has beat French Champagne on a regular basis in professional tastings. Interestingly, the name comes from the area called “FranzaCurta,” which was exempt from paying taxes in the 13th century.
Produced using the Traditional Method, Franciacorta is made in the Lombardy region using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc as its primary grape varieties. The traditional production method results in a more refined and complex sparkling wine, with a minimum of 18 months spent aging on the lees.
Food Pairings: Pairing with Franciacorta is going to depend on whether your bottle is dry or sweet. Franciacorta Brut (the dry variety) pairs well with fish and seafood, as well as creamy pasta or risotto dishes. Additionally, traditional Lombardy dishes like Rovato beef in oil, make great pairings.
Wine pairings are always better when the ingredients are from the same region! Struggling with what to serve at your next wine and cheese party? Click here to grab our FREE Italian Wine Pairing Cheatsheet!
Asti Spumante
Produced from one of Italy’s oldest grape varietals, Moscato, in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy, Asti Spumante is the sweetest of the sparkling wines. With frizzante sparkle, notes of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle, and low alcohol content, Asti Spumante can be made using the Charmant Method or the Traditional Method.
Food Pairings: As far as pairing goes, the sweetness of the wine makes this an excellent choice as a dessert wine or an aperitif, particularly with fruit-based desserts. Chocolate should be avoided with this wine, as the sweetness can overpower the chocolate.
For the aperitif, Asti Spumate is great with salted and cured meats, nuts, or a fresh salad. Other pairings include creamy cheeses, such as brie, as well as goat cheese. Another unexpected pairing that goes well with this wine is spicy Asian foods, like Thai or Korean cuisine—particularly dishes featuring chili peppers!
Other Types of Italian Sparkling Wine
Passerina Spumante
Made from the Passerina grape in Italy’s Best-Kept Secret Wine Region, Le Marche, Passerina Spumante is a highly-acclaimed DOCG sparkling wine often served with the regional favorite, Olive Ascolane. You can try both when you join us on Italy’s Epicurean Journey!
Verdicchio Spumante
Also made in Le Marche, the sparkling variety of Verdicchio is a crisp, straw-colored white that can often have a green-ish tinge to it—hence the name Verdicchio! This Italian sparkling wine is often produced using the classical method and is produced with both Verdicchio di Matelica or Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Giving aromas of citrus fruits, peaches, pears, and apples, Verdicchio is a perfect match for seafood, which you’ll get to try for yourself in Verdicchio Wine Country when you join us on Italy Uncorked.
To learn more about Verdicchio click here.
Where Can I Find the Best Sparkling Wine From Italy?
Sure, you can find a cheap bottle of Prosecco in your local grocery store, but a celebration of an occasion like a birthday, anniversary or graduation deserves the best!
First, understanding the classifications and how wine is vetted for quality in Italy is key. DOC and DOCG are not just fancy acronyms—they’re strict guidelines that guarantee excellence in wine production! It’s a stamp of authenticity that guarantees the production methods used are up to snuff, creating the best possible product for the consumer.
Still, finding a great sparkling wine goes beyond the label. Small-batch, sustainable producers who focus on quality and maintaining the cultural integrity of the wine, rather than producing in bulk, are always going to result in a better product.
While it’s certainly possible to seek out small-batch, sustainable producers who import abroad, the best way to try Italy’s finest sparkling wine—and celebrate a special occasion—is to plan a trip! If you love cuisine, culture and wine, and you want to explore the real Italy, then our tours are your perfect solution to expanding your horizons of Italy’s regionally diverse food and wine pairings.
