EP 314 Prosecco. Sparkling Wines From Italy

Value wine week continues with one of the best deals out there – Prosecco.

Wines tasted in this episode:

Zardetto ProseccoProsecco
Nino Franco Rustico ProseccoProsecco
Riondo ProseccoProsecco

Latest Comment:

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I had my second bottle of the Riondo Prosecco last night. Both times the colour has been completely clear (nothing like the wine you tasted). It’s definitely the same wine, but I guess that this episode is 3 years old and they may have changed their style? I wasn’t a fan of the wine either time (I had to try it twice to be sure I wasn’t wrong), as it wasn’t clean or crisp; it was sugary and artificial and just wasn’t fresh. Although, it did improve quite a bit when paired with gingerbread cookies (in my desperation, the only thing I thought might help…). Is it normal for NV Prosecco to change this much over the vintages? I’m not saying it changed just because I don’t agree on the score, but the change in colour was massive.

Tags: Italian, italy, Prosecco, sparkling, Video, white, wine, wines

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  • Haven’t had too many, but Gruet Blanc de Noirs from, of all places, New Mexico is pretty darn good.

  • Grapedigger

    Thanks for introducing Prosecco. I have had some champagne mainly. I’ll give Prosecco a try for sure…CHeers.

  • Grapedigger

    Thanks for introducing Prosecco. I have had some champagne mainly. I’ll give Prosecco a try for sure…CHeers.

  • Pat Mc

    All time favorite sparkler was a special buy at PA state liquor store (of ALL places!!!!)it was amazing 1998 Taittinger La Reve champagne. The best i’ve ever had.

  • Pat Mc

    All time favorite sparkler was a special buy at PA state liquor store (of ALL places!!!!)it was amazing 1998 Taittinger La Reve champagne. The best i’ve ever had.

  • Robert F

    QOTD: Havent’ had Dom or Krug, but the best so far I’ve ever had was a 1996 duval leroy brut. It seriously tasted EXACTLY like almond biscotti. As far as i’m concerned, the toastier, yeastier, and breadier, the better.

  • Robert F

    QOTD: Havent’ had Dom or Krug, but the best so far I’ve ever had was a 1996 duval leroy brut. It seriously tasted EXACTLY like almond biscotti. As far as i’m concerned, the toastier, yeastier, and breadier, the better.

  • Tom (vtjones)

    QOTD: My wife and I love the Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante – It is such an easy drink. I am not a big fan of the Korbel or other typical dry Champagnes.

  • Tom (vtjones)

    QOTD: My wife and I love the Martini and Rossi Asti Spumante – It is such an easy drink. I am not a big fan of the Korbel or other typical dry Champagnes.

  • Jeff D.

    Wow, short episode. Short, sweet: I can dig it.

    QOTD: sad to say, I’ve never really had sparkling wine before. I know I have, but it was at occasions where I never saw what type it was (and I thought it tasted like dirt and at that point, I wasn’t liking it too much). So I will have to get my hands on some of that Prosecco and check it out.

  • Jeff D.

    Wow, short episode. Short, sweet: I can dig it.

    QOTD: sad to say, I’ve never really had sparkling wine before. I know I have, but it was at occasions where I never saw what type it was (and I thought it tasted like dirt and at that point, I wasn’t liking it too much). So I will have to get my hands on some of that Prosecco and check it out.

  • QOD: BANFI ROSA REGALE HANDS DOWN!!! Addictive elixir.

  • QOD: BANFI ROSA REGALE HANDS DOWN!!! Addictive elixir.

  • Sgt Vino

    Getting a little loopy there Gary? I enjoy Prosecco a great deal, but don’t have a favorite sparkly. I have had the pleasure of a few expensive bottles (Dom, etc.), but if I am buying I prefer a Prosecco. Can’t beat the QPR.

  • Sgt Vino

    Getting a little loopy there Gary? I enjoy Prosecco a great deal, but don’t have a favorite sparkly. I have had the pleasure of a few expensive bottles (Dom, etc.), but if I am buying I prefer a Prosecco. Can’t beat the QPR.

  • TR

    Thank you for your recommendation. Is proseco a dry style of sparkling? Seco (It)Seca (Sp) Sehkt(Ger)being indicatve of dry in various Euro speak? Does it have that musty earthiness of good Champagne? Was I listening to your show? I dunno the game was on.
    Although I really love the original from Madame Ponsardin Vive Cliquot, the 1996 Dom Perignon was da best. I know not very original, but true.

  • TR

    Thank you for your recommendation. Is proseco a dry style of sparkling? Seco (It)Seca (Sp) Sehkt(Ger)being indicatve of dry in various Euro speak? Does it have that musty earthiness of good Champagne? Was I listening to your show? I dunno the game was on.
    Although I really love the original from Madame Ponsardin Vive Cliquot, the 1996 Dom Perignon was da best. I know not very original, but true.

  • Mike Miller

    Gary,
    Watched my first 5 episodes last night, and I now consider myself a Vayniac. Just bought a bottle of the Riondo from wl.com last night before the special “Sasha” free shipping expired! Was a little worried when I heard “Band Aid”, but after hearing your full review felt proud of myself for being ahead of the curve. Currently busy recruiting more Vayniacs in central Indiana.

    QOTD: My wife and I are fans of the $7 (used to be $6.50) Prosecco at Trader Joe’s. Cheap and fun is a good combination. However, planning on buying a bottle of Dom Perignon for the first time when my daughter is born in December!

  • Mike Miller

    Gary,
    Watched my first 5 episodes last night, and I now consider myself a Vayniac. Just bought a bottle of the Riondo from wl.com last night before the special “Sasha” free shipping expired! Was a little worried when I heard “Band Aid”, but after hearing your full review felt proud of myself for being ahead of the curve. Currently busy recruiting more Vayniacs in central Indiana.

    QOTD: My wife and I are fans of the $7 (used to be $6.50) Prosecco at Trader Joe’s. Cheap and fun is a good combination. However, planning on buying a bottle of Dom Perignon for the first time when my daughter is born in December!

  • NathanN

    Proseco I think I have had that before.

    QOTD: Not a big fan of sparkling wine but I do remember a Mumm tasting good on my wedding night in 1998

  • NathanN

    Proseco I think I have had that before.

    QOTD: Not a big fan of sparkling wine but I do remember a Mumm tasting good on my wedding night in 1998

  • Moselman

    Have given up on the “state” liquor store to find prosecco (or dolcetto, for that matter) â?? it’s in the catalogue, but not in the local stores (except for the Zardett0 â?? at $Cdn 19.95!!). The private stores are no better. So have to go back a few years to early impressions. My parents first introduced us to Lacrima Christi, which I believe may have been an Asti Spumante. Later, friends recommended a Velletri sparkling rose. But for latter-day celebrations, we find the Henkell-Trocken suffices. But I’d really like to try a prosecco that evoked the kind of enthusiasm you show for the latter two of today’s choices.

  • Moselman

    Have given up on the “state” liquor store to find prosecco (or dolcetto, for that matter) â?? it’s in the catalogue, but not in the local stores (except for the Zardett0 â?? at $Cdn 19.95!!). The private stores are no better. So have to go back a few years to early impressions. My parents first introduced us to Lacrima Christi, which I believe may have been an Asti Spumante. Later, friends recommended a Velletri sparkling rose. But for latter-day celebrations, we find the Henkell-Trocken suffices. But I’d really like to try a prosecco that evoked the kind of enthusiasm you show for the latter two of today’s choices.

  • Jon B.

    Great show I’ll be giving the prosecco a whirl soon. QOTD can’t say I’ve had to many sparklers I’ve really enjoyed, However I’ve had a few Muscato d’ Asti I’ve enjoyed quite a bit, Sourgal Elio Perrone 2005 and 2006 where very good .These wines are frisante and not sparkling though.Thanks Gary and WLTV crew.

  • Jon B.

    Great show I’ll be giving the prosecco a whirl soon. QOTD can’t say I’ve had to many sparklers I’ve really enjoyed, However I’ve had a few Muscato d’ Asti I’ve enjoyed quite a bit, Sourgal Elio Perrone 2005 and 2006 where very good .These wines are frisante and not sparkling though.Thanks Gary and WLTV crew.

  • jahlove

    Finest and most enjoyable I’ve ever had was the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame. I think it was 96 or 98. Can’t remember. It was the sparkling wine that changed my mind about sparkling wine. I had never had a great one until that point.

  • jahlove

    Finest and most enjoyable I’ve ever had was the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame. I think it was 96 or 98. Can’t remember. It was the sparkling wine that changed my mind about sparkling wine. I had never had a great one until that point.

  • Robin C.

    I will definitely purchase some Proseccos. Sometimes I like to have a mimosa in the morning, and I’m not going to open a $30.00 plus sparkling wine just for a mimosa. I would never feel guilty with Prosecco.
    QOTD: Perrier Jouet Fleur largely because of the beautiful bottle. I also had a Deutz that I loved.

  • Robin C.

    I will definitely purchase some Proseccos. Sometimes I like to have a mimosa in the morning, and I’m not going to open a $30.00 plus sparkling wine just for a mimosa. I would never feel guilty with Prosecco.
    QOTD: Perrier Jouet Fleur largely because of the beautiful bottle. I also had a Deutz that I loved.

  • Beav

    QOTD: Segura Viudas Brut Reserva NV 92points 6-7bones.

    Wisconsin wines, wollersheim prairie fume sell a ton, but I think it tastes horrid

  • Beav

    QOTD: Segura Viudas Brut Reserva NV 92points 6-7bones.

    Wisconsin wines, wollersheim prairie fume sell a ton, but I think it tastes horrid

  • QOTD – Krug Clos du Mesnil, don’t remember the vintage.. this was many moons ago, like early 90’s.

  • QOTD – Krug Clos du Mesnil, don’t remember the vintage.. this was many moons ago, like early 90’s.

  • Mike Hale

    QOTD: not a big champagne/sparkling wine fan but get a bottle of G.H Mumm Extra Dry NV every year for New Years.

  • Mike Hale

    QOTD: not a big champagne/sparkling wine fan but get a bottle of G.H Mumm Extra Dry NV every year for New Years.

  • PRW

    GV, I can definetely sense you gearing up for the weekend on this episode. The sparkling wine seemed only a brief distraction from the upcoming Jets game. Not even a Jets fan, but they better win because I worry about you sanity otherwise. QOTD: Not a big champagne fan, can’t remember anything but the usual suspects

  • PRW

    GV, I can definetely sense you gearing up for the weekend on this episode. The sparkling wine seemed only a brief distraction from the upcoming Jets game. Not even a Jets fan, but they better win because I worry about you sanity otherwise. QOTD: Not a big champagne fan, can’t remember anything but the usual suspects

  • flippy

    QOTD: including Champagne – 1995 Pol Roger Brut Rose – a wedding gift four years ago, drank it two years ago.
    Non-Champagne: Mumm Cuvee Napa is great, tried one called “J” when I was in California which was great, love the Spanish cavas (the Segura Brut vintage-dated is good), etc. I’m a sucker for bubbly…

  • flippy

    QOTD: including Champagne – 1995 Pol Roger Brut Rose – a wedding gift four years ago, drank it two years ago.
    Non-Champagne: Mumm Cuvee Napa is great, tried one called “J” when I was in California which was great, love the Spanish cavas (the Segura Brut vintage-dated is good), etc. I’m a sucker for bubbly…

  • Ferrigno

    YOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    GREAT EPISODE! but I like em LAAAARGE AND LENGHTY 😮
    MY QOTD since the ask gary app is over: is Asti serious? the one I had was very sugary, no body, no finish…

  • Ferrigno

    YOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    GREAT EPISODE! but I like em LAAAARGE AND LENGHTY 😮
    MY QOTD since the ask gary app is over: is Asti serious? the one I had was very sugary, no body, no finish…

  • louie

    Keep up the awsome work Gary V!

  • louie

    Keep up the awsome work Gary V!

  • Hmmm… chocolate-chip SOURdough ice cream… wtf?

    QOTD: Without a doubt, my favorite sparkler of all time is the Pierre Morlet Millesime 1999.

  • Hmmm… chocolate-chip SOURdough ice cream… wtf?

    QOTD: Without a doubt, my favorite sparkler of all time is the Pierre Morlet Millesime 1999.

  • Withnail

    Dude! 9 mins? I can’t blame ya, when you are busy…

    But I prefer the 20-30 min shows, and that anniversary show (#100? or 200?)
    that was like 42 mins – that was the best.

    QOTD: Probably Veuve Clicquot (in all its various forms), but I’ve also had some
    fantastic Charles Heidseck and Nicolas Feuillatte has been amazing too.

  • Withnail

    Dude! 9 mins? I can’t blame ya, when you are busy…

    But I prefer the 20-30 min shows, and that anniversary show (#100? or 200?)
    that was like 42 mins – that was the best.

    QOTD: Probably Veuve Clicquot (in all its various forms), but I’ve also had some
    fantastic Charles Heidseck and Nicolas Feuillatte has been amazing too.

  • Aadip

    Thundercats ho!

  • Aadip

    Thundercats ho!

  • indiana

    NV Krug by far. Savory, smokey, meaty, toasty, and delicious.

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