Six stunning Proseccos from £16 to over £60

Prosecco may be viewed as inexpensive and frivolous fizz, but we have discovered six outstanding examples that prove this sparkling wine can be a serious and complex drink – as well as a high-priced product. By Patrick Schmitt MW.

Prosecco should have a creamy fizz; ripe peach and pear flavours; a hint of sweetness, and a refreshing zesty finish

Following The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters 2017 – a competition that was conducted in March this year – we have selected the very best-performing samples from the tasting, whatever the cost.

With most of these sparkling wines achieving the ultimate accolade of Master in the competition, these are products that have been declared brilliant by our judges, who are listed below.

The six Proseccos that feature represent a range of styles from Brut to Dry, and a diverse selection of areas – from the little-known Asolo DOCG to the specialist sub-zone of Cartizze, where vineyards change hands for more than €1 million per hectare.

So what makes a great Prosecco? At its best, this Italian fizz should have a full and creamy sparkle; ripe and pure peach and pear flavours; a hint of sweetness, and a refreshing zesty finish to ensure one wants more.

Sweetness levels may vary, because it’s the sugar-acid balance that matters the most, while, in terms of fruit character, flavours must be ripe, youthful and typical to the region – which means aromas and tastes of apples, peaches and pears.

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROSECCO

As previously reported by the drinks business, this year’s Prosecco Masters results that showed that despite the rapid expansion in the sector, quality across the board has risen, with the wines having improved since 2016’s competition.

Each of these Proseccos were been judged blind, allowing our experts to asses them purely for quality without prejudice about their brand.

The Proseccos were tasted over the course of one day at Café Murano in London’s Covent Garden on 15 March 2017.

While this is a selection of the very best Proseccos in the competition – whatever the price – a list of the top-performers for under £15 can be viewed here.

And you can see all the medal-winners in The Drinks Business Prosecco Masters by clicking here.

The judges in 2017’s Prosecco Masters (left to right): Anthony Foster MW, Jonathan Pedley MW; Nick Tatham MW; Roberto della Pietra; Patricia Stefanowicz MW; Patrick Schmitt MW; Alex Canetti

6. Borgo Molino Vigne & Vini, Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Brut, 2016

The style: Vintage DOCG Prosecco, Brut

The medal: Master

The price: Approx. £20 (UK retail)

Sugar content: 11g/l

The taste: Proving that the lesser-known DOCG of Asolo produces brilliant Prosecco, particularly in the Brut style, this fizz from Borgo Molino is packed with yellow fruits from pineapple to peach, balanced by a mouth-watering dry, fresh finish. A lovely ripe, fruity but dry style of Prosecco.

5. Cantine Riunite, Maschio dei Cavalieri, Rive di Colbertaldo, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Brut, 2016

The style: Vintage DOCG Prosecco, Brut

The medal: Master

The price: Approx. £20

Sugar content: 12g/l

The taste: A delicious, creamy Prosecco with plenty of peach and ripe orchard fruits from the prized Colbertaldo vineyard in Valdobbiadene. A dry finish ensures this is a refreshing, if juicy style of Prosecco.

4. La Marca Vini e Spumanti, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Cuvée, Extra Dry, 2016

The style: Vintage DOCG Prosecco, Extra Dry

The medal: Master

The price: Approx. £16

Sugar content: 22g/l

The taste: This flagship Prosecco from La Marca is a full, creamy and slightly sweet style of Prosecco with plenty of peaches and a lovely pink grapefruit tang, making for a ripe but lively fizz.

3. Martini Premium Vintage Prosecco, Extra Dry, 2016

The style: Vintage DOC Prosecco, Extra Dry

The medal: Master

The price: Approx £16

Sugar content: 16g/l

The taste: This new top-end cuvée from Martini is crammed with peaches and pear along with an appealing note of crystallised ginger and a palate-lifting hint of orange. A full, fruity, slightly sweet style of Prossecco with bags of personality.

2. Foss Marai, Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG, Dry, 2016

The style: Vintage DOCG, Dry

The medal: Master

The price: Approx £30

Sugar content: 27g/l

The taste: Sourced from the valuable vineyards on the Cartizze hill, this is a full-flavoured, sweet Prosecco with masses of ripe peachy fruit and a touch of pear sorbet. Lifting the drinking experience is a lovely zesty lime and mint-flavoured finish.

1. Bottega Stardust DOC Prosecco, Dry, 2016

The style: DOC

The medal: Gold

The price: £100

Sugar content: 20g/l

The taste: Although this top-of-line fizz from Bottega is outrageously expensive for a DOC Prosecco – and you can blame the crystal-embossed bottle for the high cost – the drink itself is delicious. Hailing from very old vines on the hillsides of the Veneto, this is a concentrated style of Prosecco, with lots of ripe yellow fruit, and even a touch of dried apricot, complemented by a mouth-filling creamy mousse. While it is quite sweet, if has a refreshing bright zesty finish, ensuring you’ll want a second glass.