For us Italians, every occasion is a good one to uncork a bottle and toast with friends and relatives, especially preferring bubbles among the many choices we have available. But which bubbles should we choose? We know that we generally have three types at our disposal, Spumante, Prosecco and Champagne, and although it may seem to less experienced palates that these resemble each other, they are actually very different wines, each with its own peculiarity and its dignity. It is very easy to find this kind of wines at banquets and on restaurant tables, being in fact among the most appreciated qualities in the world. So let’s discover them together, so as to understand their differences and qualities.
Prosecco, the Italian bubbles par excellence
The term Prosecco means a white wine whose origin is limited only to some areas of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, more particularly from the Glera, Verdiso, and Pinot, white, gray and black vines. The production method is known as Charmat, from which a light and fresh wine is born, with an aromatic and fruity aftertaste. The result is a bubble with a slightly thicker grain, which could make it resemble other wines, but the taste and smell are unmistakable.
By eliminating the aging times, Prosecco remains an inexpensive wine, which is why it is very easy to find on Italian tables and why it is so popular. In any case, it is still important not to interpret low cost as a lack of quality.
Champagne, the French experience
Synonymous with luxury and excellence of French wine production, Champagne is one of the absolute favorite bubbles. The differences with Prosecco are different, first of all the production area. The term Champagne itself refers to the homonymous region of France, the only area from which this wine can come. The territory is in turn divided into three parts: the Grand Cru, the Premier Cru and the Cru. In turn, there are also three types of grape variety used: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, while the fermentation method is Champenoise, according to which the second fermentation is carried out inside the bottle itself.
Even these wines, therefore, differ by area, giving rise to various more or less valuable brands that can also be found in our country, as evidenced for example by the presence of numerous bottles of Champagne Krug on Tannico , one of the oldest and prestigious, loved and praised by all connoisseurs. The price difference compared to Prosecco and Spumante should not surprise, as Champagne must be aged for at least two years in order to be sold.
Sparkling wine, from the characteristics to the production method
Finally, Spumante is a wine without a denomination, that is, it contains a category of wines and not a specific type. It is a term that indicates all wines which, once opened, produce the “froth” due to the carbon dioxide produced during fermentation. This therefore means that there is no specific production area and the chosen grape varieties. The sparkling wine is characterized by the two fermentation methods: the classic Champenoise and the Martinotti-Charmat method. Spumante is also divided into natural and gasified, which involves the addition of carbon dioxide at low temperatures, since this is therefore not produced in a natural way.
Bubbles are among the wines that cannot be missing during a dinner or an important event. So here are all the differences between Prosecco, Champagne and Spumante: all that remains is to choose the wine that best suits the situation.
