The medallists from The Prosecco Masters 2023

We reveal the medal-winning brands from this year’s Prosecco Masters, which comprised all styles and quality levels of this popular Italian fizz, and saw both Extra Brut and Extra Dry samples gain top scores, along with a couple of rosés too.

PROSECCO SEEMS to be the darling of wine drinkers for one great reason – Prosecco is fun. Also, Prosecco has diversity: from the easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing, relatively simple, but ‘oh-somore-ish’ Prosecco Veneto DOC wines to the more ‘serious’ Prosecco Treviso DOC, and then onto Superiore DOCG wines from Asolo and Valdobbiadene, including the latter ’s Cartizze wines produced from grapes grown on the precise location of the Cartizze hill. And at the top of the Prosecco pyramid, Rive wines. It is also true that throughout the DOCs and DOCGs, quality seems to improve year on year, something that this year ’s Prosecco Masters confirms.

Levels of production have increased dramatically in recent years, and demand, not only in Italy, but especially in the UK and the US, and nowadays also in France, seems to be absorbing the supply. Everyone loves Prosecco.

At the entry-level Veneto DOC wines, the fresh peach, apple and pear fruit of the better expressions, combined with the gentle sweetness and softness is universally appealing. And the zippy acidity adding support is a benefit. What is exciting for any lover of this fizz is that many of these delightful wines are available at affordable prices – for less than £15 in a supermarket – and they are deservedly popular.

These simpler styles of Prosecco wines indicate that, while the overall level of quality is good, not all Proseccos are created equal, so a level of attention in selection is required. Youthful age guarding the freshness is always relevant for these DOC wines. Most of these wines are produced in an Extra Dry style, with around 12g/l-17g/l residual sugar, which suits the peachy fruit flavour well. These are easy-drinking, crowd-pleasing wines, perfect for a spring day among the daffodils and cherry trees.

There is a distinctive rise in quality and interest when one looks at Superiore DOCG wines, as our 2023 Gold and Master medal-winners show. These wines, which come from the caldera and rolling hills in the heart of Treviso around Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Asolo, are sensationally delicious.

The wines from Asolo tend to show riper fruit, often yellow plum and ripe peach, balanced by a slightly drier style, often labelled Extra Brut with around 3g/l-5g/l of residual sugar. Most of Valdobbiadene DOCG wines are made in a Brut style with 8g/l-12g/l of residual sugar. Elegant and refined, they are beautifully balanced gastronomic styles. Some of the Cartizze and Rive (individual vineyard sites) wines are textured, layered, concentrated, balanced – practically perfect in every way!

‘Pink’ Prosecco is nearly always labelled Prosecco Rosé; the Italians recognise that ‘rosé’ is an easier sell than ‘rosato’, and these expressions can be delicious across all price points. The Consorzio made a wise decision to make Pinot Nero the blending choice. Its vibrant red berry fruit is a perfect foil for Glera’s peaches-and-cream flavours.

With lovely colours ranging from pale ‘baby pink’ through pale peach to mid-coral, these wines show cherry, strawberry or occasionally cranberry nuances accenting the rounder apple and white orchard flavours of Glera and more texture to the mousse. These examples are very pretty and eminently delightful, if not necessarily ‘serious’. The awarded wines are worth drinking at exceptionally attractive prices.

About the competition

With high-quality judges and a unique sampling process, The Prosecco Masters provides a chance for your wines to star. The 2023 competition was judged on 8 March at Ibis Styles, London Bridge, employing experienced judges. The top wines were awarded Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals according to their result, and those expressions that stood out as being outstanding received the ultimate accolade – the title of Prosecco Master. This report features the medal winners only. Please visit the Global Masters website for more information, or, to enter future competitions – giving you the chance to feature online and in print – please call: +44 (0) 20 7803 2420 or email Sophie Raichura at: sophie@thedrinksbusiness.com