WineCountry.it - Veneto Wine Region Italy

Prosecco DOC
Ciacco - June 8, 2004

The origins of the Prosecco vine are uncertain. Probably it comes from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, or even from areas further east. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, especially in the Carso area, vintners are working to bring back the Glera grape, an ancient local vine believed to be the forefather of the Prosecco grape.

Currently Prosecco is widespread in Veneto, on the hills around Treviso province and, in lesser quantities, in the Padova province. From this grape, three DOC wines are made:

Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, a.k.a. Conegliano, a.k.a. Valdobbiadene; it includes the sub-zone Superiore di Cartizze
Colli di Conegliano Torchiato di Fregona
Montello and Colli Asolani Prosecco

Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, a.k.a. Conegliano, a.k.a. Valdobbiadene:

Wine Types	Grapes	Production	Alcohol by Vol.
Tranquillo Secco (Still, Dry)	Prosecco; allowed maximum 15% Verdiso, Bianchetta, Perera and Prosecco Lungo (Long Prosecco)	Maximum 4.85 tons per acre	10.5%
Tranquillo Amabile (Still, Semi-sweet)			10.5%
Tranquillo Dolce (Still, Sweet)			10.5%
Frizzante Secco (Sparkling Dry)			10.5%
Frizzante Amabile (Sparkling, Semi-sweet)			10.5%
Spumante (all typologies except Extra Brut e Brut			11%

Superiore di Cartizze Sub-zone:

Wine Types	Grapes	Production	Alcohol by Vol.
Tranquillo Secco (Still, Dry)	Prosecco; allowed maximum 15% Verdiso, Bianchetta, Perera and Prosecco Lungo (Long Prosecco)	Maximum 4.85 tons per acre	10.5%
Tranquillo Amabile (Still, Semi-sweet)			10.5%
Tranquillo Dolce (Still, Sweet)			10.5%
Frizzante Secco (Sparkling Dry)			10.5%
Frizzante Amabile (Sparkling, Semi-sweet)			10.5%
Spumante (all typologies except Extra Brut e Brut			11%

Colli di Conegliano:
This DOC appellation includes various wine types, including the Torchiato di Fregona, which is a passito wine made with withered Prosecco grapes pressed with a special technique. It is a very rare, niche wine.

Wine Types	Grapes	Production	Alcohol by Vol.	Aging
Torchiato di Fregona	Prosecco minimum 30%; Verdiso minimum 30%; Boschera minimum 25%; allowed other grapes for maximum 15%	Maximum 4 tons per acre	14% + 2%	13 months

Montello and Colli Asolani:
As the previous one, this DOC as well includes various wines, both white and red, both. The reds have greater personality and are more valuable compared to the whites. The Montello and Colli Asolani Prosecco is made in five types with almost exclusively Prosecco grapes.

Wine Types	Grapes	Production	Alcohol by Vol.
Secco (Dry)	Prosecco minimum 85%	Maximum 4.85 tons per acre	10.5%
Frizzante Naturale (Naturally Sparkling)			11%
Frizzante Amabile (Sparkling, Semi-sweet)			11%
Spumante Secco (Dry Spumante)			11%
Spumante Amabile (Semi-sweet Spumante)			11%