If you are a Prosecco or Cava fan, you will get thier attraction. For those who aren’t, here’s a fun fact: It has taken top spot globally as the world’s best-selling and most popular sparkling wines since 2013, knocking Champagne off its perch as number one. Wine writer Joelle Thomson shares why this wine is making a big splash.
Images BeautyEQ
While Champagne remains the global benchmark for exceptional sparkling wine, Prosecco and Cava are gaining ground. The world of sparkling wine is broad, varied, and now affordable, making it accessible enough to enjoy every day. Below is a selection of beautiful bubbles, each with distinctive, irresistible aromas: From sparkling Pinot Grigio, Prosecco made in Italy, to a popular Spanish Cava offering, crisp, fruity aromas. These sparkling wines are the perfect beverage to serve in summer at a long, lazy lunch, ideally chilled between 4 and 8°C to maintain thier signature crisp, fresh, fruity flavours. Once you’re ready to serve, remove it from the ice bucket, let it warm slightly, then pour and enjoy.
Ca Montini Prosecco, $17
The popularity of Prosecco continues to rise, and so does its wide availability as a fizzy, fruity, affordable category of sparkling wine. This Prosecco is labelled extra dry and is an aromatic style with flavours of fresh pear, lemon juice, and ripe melon. It is light-bodied, refreshing, and delicious to enjoy on a sunny day. fruity taste with hints of pear, citrus, and honeydew melon, an ideal companion to enjoy with any summer salad.
Graze with: Fresh figs with prosciutto.
Brilla Prosecco, $25
This is a deliciously aromatic wine with white-floral aromas, citrus blossom notes, and green apple flavours. It’s made from 100 per cent Glera grapes grown in the Veneto region (home to Prosecco). It is produced using the Charmat method of sparkling winemaking, which means it was fermented in stainless-steel tanks to retain freshness. As expressive as it is irresistible in a stylish sparkling bottle, the vibrant, soft flavours make it a great go-to aperitivo to impress anyone over a long lunch.
Grazing with: Slivers of honeydew melon with Parmigiano or tasty cheddar.
France is home to many of the world’s best Champange and some of its best value sparkling wines, such as this dry white blend from the Loire Valley. Chenin Blanc leads the crisp style here, fleshed out by Ugni Blanc, which grows on chalky soils in the Loire. This is a superb wine that over-delivers with surprisingly complex flavours and style. If you were wondering, its pedigree: Monmousseau winery was founded in 1886, making it one of the oldest and most experienced producers of exceptional sparkling wines.
Graze with: Earthy ripe brie with walnut crackers.
This brand is new to Aotearoa New Zealand and is part of the Maretti Italia range, imported by Stone Pony. Light and lively, with super-fresh flavours of green apples, pear and a hint of stone fruit. Its dry style is produced using the Charmat method to preserve the crisp freshness of pear and lemon sherbet. Not only does the label look clean and stylish, but its mouthwatering freshness hits you in the very first sip.
Grazing with: Goat’s cheese and seed crackers
Spain makes a big splash in the world of sparkling wine with Cava, a deliciously dry bubbly that is also very affordable. One of my favourites, with fresh aromas of lemon juice and green apples, it also has a creamy twist. Made the same way as Champagne – with the second fermentation in the bottle, but a typically shorter ageing time, makes it a top value wine for the price tag. Just like most luxe-y bubbles, that are so easy to drink, its name rolls off the tongue too, pronounced ‘Val-for-mows-a’.
Graze with: Mushroom paté with fresh sourdough.
The fruity fizz to share this summer.