Prosecco Masters 2019: see the results in full

We bring you all the medalists from this year’s Prosecco Masters, along with some comments on the highs and lows of the 2019 competition.

Following a report earlier this year on the best performers from the Prosecco Masters 2019, including five samples that we felt were class-leaders in their category, we have listed all the entries that picked up a Bronze or better, including our top accolade of Prosecco Master.

These can be seen below, and, with the number of Golds increasing for pricier Proseccos, it shows that going up the price ladder does bring greater returns in terms of quality, as does opting for a Prosecco Superiore DOCG over a DOC, with the former covering the hilly region between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, along with a further area near the town of Asolo. (Click here to read more about classifications in Prosecco).

Before looking through the results in full, we have re-produced some judges’ thoughts on what they liked, as well as what wasn’t so appealing – with, initially, one judge’s more personal reflection on the Proseccos, and then another, from our panel chair, giving a more detailed analysis of the samples.

Our rigorous judging process ensures that each sample gets a thorough assessment, and due to the calibre of our tasters, gaining a medal in the Global Wine Masters is a significant achievement.

Click here to read more about the Global Wine Masters, and please click here to see a review of five outstanding Proseccos from this year’s competition.

The Proseccos were tasted over the course of one day at Balls Brothers wine bar, London, EC2N, on 4 April. The judges in the 2019 Prosecco Masters were (left to right): Nick Tatham MW, Alex Canetti, Patrick Schmitt MW, Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Jonathan Pedley MW, David Round MW, Simon Field MW

Patricia Stefanowicz MW, Prosecco Masters judge, writes:

The 2019 Prosecco Masters was ‘all-the-fun-of-the-fair’! And there were times when it seemed that the we were on ‘a roller-coaster ride’ and others when we were on the ‘Magic Roundabout’. The ‘up-and-down’ was especially evident in the DOC wines priced at £10-20. Although there were a couple of exhilarating moments, many of the wines at these prices were pretty much as expected from Prosecco: easy-going and quaffable. But, at over £15, expectations were higher, and not all the wines delivered. Trying too hard to produce something serious, perhaps? Some of these wines might have benefitted from a little more reducing sugar to give more mouthfeel. Over £20 many of the DOC wines showed a sense of ‘Magic’, almost regardless of sweetness level.

DOCG wines, regardless of price, seemed to be a little more intriguing and more consistent in terms of quality. Some wines from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Asolo were really rather special with depth of flavour coupled with honeysuckle and herbal accents. The ‘Rive’ wines, from the 40 or so hamlets entitled to the designation, were also interesting, packed with purity of fruit, accented by minerality. At the expensive price points, many of the DOCG Prosecco wines showed marked vinous character, gastronomic in style.

The few Cartizze wines justified their high prices. These were superb and serious, with layers of aromas and flavours and lovely velvet-textured mousse across the palate.

Just like at a Fair, there was plenty to like, but a few disappointments, too.

Jonathan Pedley MW, Prosecco Masters judging panel chair, writes:

1. Faults. I am afraid that cork taint reared its ugly head (three confirmed cases and one suspected). We had a bit of a natter about the problem. Does enough care go into ensuring taint free corks in the sparkling wine sector? Who knows. However, there is no getting round the fact that delicately aromatic sparkling wines, such as Prosecco, will be ruined by cork taint at lower levels of TCA than say a heavy oaky red.
2. Tired/soggy/vegetative wines. Although perhaps less of a problem than in the past, a worrying number of wines still showed signs of a lack of freshness. Of all the wine styles we review in the Masters Series, Prosecco is the one where the samples (and more importantly the stock out in the market) needs to be as fresh as possible. Doubtless some anorak will claim that top Prosecco can age but in my experience nearly all Prosecco deteriorates the longer it stays in bottle. A rapid turnover of stock is crucial if consumers are to see these wines at their best.
3. Faulted and tired wines aside, I tend to classify Prosecco as follows:
   1. Hollow, dilute, coarse, dull, phenolic or imbalanced (usually not enough acidity to balance the residual sugar) wines were ejected
   2. Correct wines, with freshness and pleasant estery aromas, generally picked up Bronzes.
   3. The more complex wines, which showed floral, and/or stone fruit, and/or creamy aromas, with everything else in balance, were the ones that achieved Silver, Gold or Master status.
4. Price Brackets. In both the DOC and the DOCG flights under £10 there were inevitably some very ordinary wines. However, we were delighted that one of our sub £10 DOCG wines (number 133*) picked up a Gold. Well done! That said, if anything the cheap DOC wines did better overall than the cheap DOCG wines. We discussed this finding and two possible explanations came to the fore:
   • The DOC wines shift through the market quickly so the liquids are usually going to be fresher than the equivalent DOCG wines.
   • The DOCs may well already be using 2018 base wines, whereas some of the DOCGs may still be based on 2017 raw material.
5. As we worked our way up the price scale the DOC wines kept pace with their DOCG “big brothers”.  For instance, we awarded Golds to a £10-15 DOC wine (number 118**) and a £15-20 DOCG wine (number 147***).  It was only when we ventured above £20 that the DOCG wines really starred (by which stage the DOC competition had pretty much disappeared): wines 153**** and 154***** got Golds and wine 156****** got our sole Master.

* Cuvée Solicum, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut, 2018, from Cantina Colli del Soligo
** Dalla Balla Nob Giuseppina, Prosecco DOC Treviso, Extra Dry, 2018, from Antonio Facchin e Figli
*** Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Millesimato Extra Dry, 2018 from Montelliana
**** 26° Primo, Rive di Col San Martino, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut, 2018, from Andreola
***** Guia Millesimato Brut, 2017, from Foss Marai
****** Dirupo Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Brut, 2018, from Andreola

Prosecco DOC

Prosecco DOCG

About the competition

The drinks business Prosecco Masters, now in its sixth year, is a competition exclusively for the Italian sparkling wine. This year’s event saw more than 100 entries judged blind by a panel of highly experienced tasters. The best wines were awarded medals that ranged from Bronze through to Gold, as well as Master, the ultimate accolade, given only to exceptional wines in the tasting. The Proseccos were tasted over the course of one day at Balls Brothers wine bar, London, EC2N, on 4 April.

Click here to read more about the competition.

Those wishing to enter can enter online here or by emailing Sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com

Last year’s report on the Prosecco Masters can be read here.