Historical references to lightly sparkling wines in the Veneto region date to the 1100’s, though these were much sweeter in the 12th century compared to the popular versions being fashioned today. With the burgeoning international profile and interest in this delightful wine style, progressive Italian producers have had to take pro-active steps toward guarding the unique, regional nature of their Spumante. The traditional grape family used for the bubbliest of all Italian white wines was known as Prosecco for a very long time; likely, originating from around the namesake town that lies close by to the Slovenian border. The official reclassifying of the name to Glera in 2009 now means that these grapevines can be cultivated and marketed in other wine-producing regions in the world, but only those wines which specifically originate from Prosecco DOCG and its various sub-regions may be labelled as bona fide Prosecco.

Though sparkling wines from Italy’s north-eastern corner are distinctive,  the vintners have employed and innovated the French production method called Charmat to achieve their form. After initial fermentation, the second infusion of yeast continues the converting of sugars and provokes the carbonation that provides the wine with its bubbly character. This essential finishing step is done in large, pressurized stainless steel tanks rather than in the bottle, and so, results in fresh and crisp fruit flavours with less of the toasted character that’s typical in its distant, French Crémant cousins.

This week’s feature of Mionetto Prestige Prosecco Treviso Brut comes from the hillside vineyards of the Treviso sub-region. Founded initially by Francesco Mionetto in 1887, the modern-day Tenuta (winery) is now part of the German Henkell consortium that has a credible reputation for fashioning and marketing well-made bulk wines in the sparkling category–at approachable price-points. Just north of the namesake town of  Treviso, grapes are harvested mostly in the second half of September, so now is an opportune time to sample last year’s results.

Serve well-chilled, and keep the remaining bottle cooled while enjoying it in a wide-mouthed goblet rather than in slender stemware. Your brunch guests will appreciate you having a second bottle standing by–brimming with steely fruit–to top them up. At $17.00 each, that won’t break your budget or disappoint!

MIONETTO  PRESTIGE PROSECCO TREVISO BRUT
LCBO – Product #483339 | 750 mL bottle
Price $17.00
11% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content Descriptor: D

Made in Veneto, Italy
By: Henkell & Sohnlein Sektkellereien
Release Date: May 1, 2018

Tasting Note
This informal, straw-yellow sparkler has an abundance of fresh apple, white peach, and apricot aromas and flavours, with some nut and honey notes wrapped up in a frothy body. Try serving with Brunch food fare or as a spritzy apéritif with smoked salmon canapes, savoury pastry appetizers or skewers of grilled fish.