The Italians love a glass of sparkling wine. They enjoy Prosecco, of course, but Italy is also a very important market for Champagne – unusually for a country that produces plenty of its own fizz. Prosecco is usually enjoyed as an aperitif, by itself or with antipasti. It is also a popular cocktail ingredient – the Bellini, Spritz or Mimosa being the best-known. They also have the option of choosing an Italian alternative to Champagne, as Italy produces a number of high-quality sparkling wines made by the classic method, or Metodo Classico. This is the same method as used in Champagne.
The Alta Langa region in Piemonte has been making sparkling wine for more than a century and is enjoying a revival. Producers use the same grapes as Champagne (pinot noir and chardonnay) and make their sparkling wine by the same labour-intensive bottle-fermented method. However, Alta Langa is always a single vintage wine and obviously the grapes come from a different soil and climate. I recently tasted my way through a large selection, which included some excellent wines.
After Prosecco, the best-known sparkling wine is probably Franciacorta, from the Lombardy region. Like Alta Langa, this is made from the same grapes and by the same method as Champagne. Franciacorta can also be very good. In fact, both wines can be every bit as good as some Champagne. Sadly they are usually equally as expensive.
Pét-Nat, so trendy these days, is actually the oldest method of sparkling wine production of all. It is basically wine bottled before the fermentation has finished. It is generally a simpler wine but can be a wonderful thirst-quencher on a summer’s day. The Italians have plenty of options, including the wines below.
Kylie Minogue Prosecco Frizzante
10.5%, €13.99
Off dry with refreshing ripe strawberry, red apple and pear fruits. Enjoy as an al-fresco summer treat.
From Winesoftheworld.ie; SuperValu; Carryout; Matson’s, Cork
Bulli Sampagnino Bianco Vino Frizzante
12%, €17.50
An altogether different, fascinating wine, slightly orange in colour with quince, pear and bready notes. A Pét-Nat that will intrigue all who taste it.
From Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Lilith, Dublin 7; Eleven Deli, Greystones; Rua, Castlebar; Drinkstore, Dublin 7; MacCurtain, Cork; Green Man, Dublin 6
Gabriele Scaglione, Alta Langa NV
12%, €50
Generous peach and nectarine fruits cut through with fine acidity, light brioche and a good dry finish. A very enjoyable alternative to Champagne.
From Deveney’s, Dublin 14; winestation.ie
1701 Franciacorta Brut, Biodynamic
12%, €52.55
Lively with racy acidity, crisp red apples and a vibrant mineral finish. A lovely aperitif with gougères (savoury French pastries) or with grilled salmon.
From Le Caveau.ie; L’atitude 51, Cork; Pop Crowley’s, Macroom, Co Cork; TheAllotment.ie; JJ O’Driscoll’s, Cork; BaRossa Wines, Sandymount, Dublin 4
