As we get rolling into 2021 let’s keep the bubbly flowing from New Years Eve into the New Year. There is nothing like bubbles to liven things up a little and we all could probably use it. Last month I focused on the high quality Prosecco DOCG wines of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene wine region of the Veneto. Today I’m sharing some samplings from the larger area of the Prosecco DOC while highlighting some of the differences between Prosecco from the DOC and the DOCG.
I’m not one for judging a wine based on the wine designation it has obtained whether it’s an IGT, DOC, DOCG etc because as we all know in a blind tasting many of us may be fooled. Although, I will say that when faced with a number of wines I have yet to try I will gravitate to those of a higher designation because there is something to be said for the regulations they are held to. This is the case with both the Prosecco DOC and Prosecco DOCG wines. The majority of the Prosecco on the market hail from the Prosecco DOC and some have tarnished the image of Prosecco due to focus on quantity over quality, but that doesn’t speak for everyone so we can’t always judge a book by it’s cover.
What are some of the main differences of Prosecco DOC and Prosecco DOCG wines? Here are a few highlights to explain the differences. 
Copyright of Consorzio Tutela Prosecco
- Prosecco DOC wines come from a very large territory covering 9 provinces between the Veneto and Friuli with most of the vineyards located on the valley floor. Prosecco DOCG wines on the other hand hail from a smaller territory and the hillside towns of Asolo, Conegliano and Valdobbiadene.
- Prosecco DOC wines tend to be more reasonably priced where their counterparts carry a heftier price tag.
- The wines from Asolo, Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are more terroir driven and hand-harvested featuring specific single vineyards, Rive, and the highly regarded Prosecco from Cartizze. Where the Prosecco DOC wines grown on the valley floor are more capable of being harvested by machines and due to their location, climate and soils tend to show less depth and complexities compared to those of the DOCG.
Again,
I dislike making these generalizations as the wines I’m sharing today
are at great price points and enjoyable wines, but it is important to
note the differences. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape, which originated in nearby Slovenia before it was brought over the border. The grape Glera was previously known as Prosecco, but officially was changed over to Glera in 2009.
The Wines
Here are some recent bottles I tried for you to consider in order starting with my most favorite.
Pasqua Passione Sentimento Prosecco Treviso Brut: Made of 100% Glera from Treviso. I love the labeling on the Pasqua wines as it’s a photograph of Juliet’s wall in the city of love in the Veneto, Verona. It brings me back to all my wonderful visits to this charming city. This non-vintage is a lively and fresh Prosecco with green apple and citrus notes finishing with persistent bubbles. ABV 11% SRP $16
Bellafina Prosecco DOC: Made from 100% Glera around Treviso. This wine is made in the frizzante style with less bars of pressure (1-2.5) compared to spumante (3+). Straw colored with strong florals of peach and pears. Fun, fresh and light with nice fruit. The bubbles are fine and delicate and particularly my personal style. You can’t beat the SRP on this bottle at $11. ABV 11%
Gran Passione Prosecco DOC Spumante: Made from 100% hand-picked Glera grapes. With a floral nose with peach notes. Light, dry, fresh and crisp with notes of green apple and a tingling acidity. This wine interestingly had a residual sugar of 14-16 grams, but to me showed drier than the next at a lower residual sugar level. ABV 11$ SRP $13
Tiamo Prosecco DOC: Made from 100% Glera and grown organically in the Valdobbiadene in sandstone and clay soils. Produced extra dry with 9.2 grams of sugar. Straw colored the aromatics of this wine were well perfumed reminiscent of concord grapes and apple. Simple, light bodied with rather soft bubbles and fruity on the palette. ABV 11% SRP $15
Any particular favorite Prosecco bottles that you enjoy?
*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own. Importer: Winesellers Ltd.
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