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If you’re a fan of sparkling wine, you’ll want to check out Prosecco Superiore. Compared to ‘regular’ Prosecco, Prosecco Superiore DOCG is distinctly different.
It appeals to a sophisticated drinker who’s looking for something more distinguished—and with a very definite sense of place.
So, just what is it that sets Prosecco Superiore DOCG apart?
1. A unique and storied region
Heroic Harvest – Conegliano Valdonniadene Prosecco Superiore_ Photo Beatrice Pilotto.jpg
Prosecco Superiore comes from Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills. In fact the steep hillsides that surround these truly picturesque towns (about 50 kms. northeast of Venice) have been home to viticulture since medieval times and earlier.
‘Steep’ doesn’t come close to describing these well-drained, south facing slopes, which are often at 45 degrees but sometimes climb to as much as 70 degrees. It takes a special breed of rugged individual to grow grapes in Conegliano Valdobbiadene. The origins of Prosecco Superiore DOCG date from the late 1700s. But wine has played an important role in this culture for centuries, dating back to Roman times.
Everything is hand harvested, with very little mechanisation of any kind. That is, except for the occasional funicular line to help haul pickers’ grape buckets up the steep inclines. There are good reasons why they call it ‘heroic viticulture’!
2. UNESCO recognition
Earlier this year Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It joins other celebrated wine regions around the world.
Farra di Soligo, località Collagu
However, in this case the landscape itself was singled out for its human shaped terrain and viticultural practices. Generations of growers have sculpted the terraces and unusual, cone shaped ‘ciglioni’ hills that define the DOCG area—and account for only 1.6 in ten bottles of Prosecco produced.
It’s from here alone that top tier Prosecco Superiore DOCG wines come, in contrast to the pool of cheaper wines from below. The journey to get to this point was a long one, that started over a decade ago.
3. Italy’s original wine school
Bottega del Vino: a sign for all of Italy
Conegliano is also home to Italy’s very first wine school. In 1876 The School of Oenology was established by royal decree. It marked an important step in the evolution of Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Even then much of the curriculum revolved around extensive study of sparkling wine methods, with strong ties to other leading European oenological institutes of the era.
Over the years the school (which moved to its current location in 1924) has graduated some 6,000 students, many of whom now hold prestigious positions in the wine world at large. Today’s program incorporates university level studies in agriculture, the science and technology of vines, experimental viticulture and more.
Bottega del Vino: a truly classic interior
The picturesque school also boasts its own winery, distillery, farm, vineyards, orchards and green house—and even an entire, stand alone enoteca. This impressive structure was developed as a blueprint for enotecas to be used throughout Italy.
The bust of Luigi Manzoni, prominent in front of the School of Oenology
At its heart, the Manzoni Museum pays tribute to former school headmaster Luigi Manzoni. It was he who initiated significant studies in vine genetics—and also developed blends that laid the foundation for today’s success of Prosecco Superiore DOCG.
4. An even wider range of styles
Until now Prosecco Superiore has been classified in three styles, from ‘Brut’ to ‘medium’ and ‘off-dry.’ However, that range is now even broader thanks to the introduction of two drier styles for the 2019 vintage. “Sui Lieviti” (“On the Lees/Yeasts”) are sparkling wines which are re-fermented in bottle.
It’s a welcome nod to the traditional way of making wines in the area. “Extra Brut” (residual sugar between 0 and 6 gr/lt.) tends to allow the mineral aspect to show through and is gaining in popularity, especially for food pairings with Prosecco Superiore DOCG.
5. A healthier ecosystem
As of this year Prosecco Superiore DOCG has banned the use of Glyphosate throughout Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Used in weed killers, it’s become increasingly associated with various forms of cancer and has also been the subject of several high profile law suits and settlements.
Equally concerning, the herbicide has been proved to eliminate beneficial insects, such bees and other pollinators, which are crucial for food crops, including grapes, and for the health of the ecosystem overall. Prosecco Superiore DOCG is the largest wine zone in Europe to implement such a ban and is embarking on a sustainability plan to eventually certify all of its producers as almost petro-chemistry free.
The ban contributes significantly to the future of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene—and the health of the people who will nurture it for generations to come.
Read more about Prosecco Superiore DOCG and its wide range of styles here.
Early spring overlooking the Cartizze
This post is sponsored by https://www.prosecco.it/en/
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