Sparkling Wine

Prosecco DOC is based on Glera and uses the Martinotti-Charmat tank method for its sparkling wines. Franciacorta and Trentodoc use bottle fermentation. In Piedmont, Asti Dolce offers an aromatic, sweet expression from Moscato Bianco, while Asti also has dry styles. These names describe distinct wines rather than interchangeable labels.

Ferrari Brut, the bottle shown here, is a Chardonnay Trentodoc from Trentino. It illustrates one producer’s wine within the wider category. Its grape, place and Brut style should not be applied to every bottle called spumante.

In the traditional bottle method, a base wine undergoes another fermentation in the bottle. A period on the lees follows. Riddling moves the sediment towards the neck, and disgorgement removes it. The exact production and maturation requirements belong to the denomination and wine.

For Martinotti-Charmat wines such as Prosecco DOC spumante, the fermentation that creates the bubbles takes place in closed pressure tanks. The retained carbon dioxide gives the wine its effervescence. This comparison explains two approaches; it does not make every sparkling wine follow the same sequence or establish a universal quality ranking.

Read the sweetness description before planning the meal. Brut is drier than Extra Dry in sparkling-wine terminology; the English words can otherwise be misleading. A sweet style such as Asti Dolce offers a different dessert pairing from a dry wine chosen for savoury food.

For Christmas, decide whether the bottle is for an opening toast, a course at the table or dessert. Match the actual wine to that role rather than assuming one style must cover the whole menu. Serve at the maker’s suggested temperature. A stemmed glass with a curved bowl gives aromas room; adapt the glass to the particular wine and its producer’s guidance.

Check the full wine name, producer and sweetness indication. A denomination identifies a specific origin and production framework; a method name describes a way of making the wine. Neither replaces the other.

Ask about the exact bottle when comparing styles. Asti Dolce and a dry Asti are different choices, just as two Franciacorta styles can suit different dishes. The label and the producer’s description are more useful than choosing by the word spumante alone.

Follow the producer’s directions for storage, cellaring and service. Time spent on the lees during production does not set a universal home-cellaring period. The denomination alone also does not tell you how long an opened bottle will retain its intended character.