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Feeling bubbly on Valentine’s Day? Get to know Prosecco and spumante

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Wow, how time flies! It’s hard to believe an entire year has passed since I wrote my column on love potions for last February’s issue. This year, I’m all about bubbles! Why not, right? If there were an official season for bubbly, it would be winter, from New Year’s Eve to Valentine’s Day. So, Valentines, whether you’re planning a cozy dinner for two or heading to a BYOB on Feb. 14, if you’re going to be toasting, I recommend doing it Italian style. Here are some tidbits for choosing a sparkling wine from the country of love to make the perfect selection for your romantic plans.

Prosecco
You likely know that Prosecco is Italy’s answer to Champagne. What you may not know is what makes it different. First, technically speaking, sparkling wines labeled Prosecco in Italy can only be made from grapes grown in the provinces of Veneto and require a DOC or DOCG-protected designation. Also, unlike Champagne, which traditionally develops its fizz inside the bottles over time, Prosecco is made using the Charmat method.

According to MasterClass.com, “The Charmat method is a sparkling winemaking process that traps bubbles in wine via carbonation in large steel tanks. This technique is also called metodo Italiano, the Marinotti method, the tank method, or cuve close (“sealed tank,” from the French cuvée, or vat).”

Additionally, the types of grapes used in French and Italian sparkling wines differ. Champagne is typically made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, while Prosecco is primarily made from the Glera grape. This distinction results in different flavor profiles: Champagne tends to feature notes of almond, cherry, citrus, toast, and white peach, whereas Prosecco offers flavors of honeydew, pear, fresh cream, and green apple.

If your Valentine’s Day dinner includes pizza, seafood (such as sushi), or appetizers and salads, Prosecco is a great choice to pair with these dishes.

Spumante
Spumante,” the Italian term for sparkling wine, covers a range of effervescent wines. When a spumante is labeled “extra dry,” it usually indicates a slightly sweeter taste compared to the drier “brut” variety. This level of sweetness is determined by the amount of sugar, measured in grams per liter, added to the wine.

However, according to lacucinaitaliana.com, “There’s no difference between Prosecco and spumante sparkling wine in terms of varieties, influenced by the amount of sugars present: both can be dry, brut and the varying levels in between.”

Other wine experts note that the main difference between the two Italian sparkling wines is that Spumante features more persistent bubbles. Similar to Prosecco, it pairs excellently with shellfish, as well as cured meats and cheeses, making it an ideal choice for enjoying a charcuterie board.

Regardless of the Italian bubbles you opt for this Valentine’s Day, popping corks is all about celebrating. Here’s to love! “Quando ti ho visto mi sono innamorato, e tu mi hai sorriso perchè lo sapevi.” [“When I saw you,
I fell in love and you smiled because you knew it.”] William Shakespeare. 

Natalie Pantaleo

Natalie Pantaleo is a marketing communications consultant, brand strategist and consummate storyteller based in the Greater Philadelphia metro area. In addition to being a published features writer, Natalie is the author of “Lying Down with Dogs,” a novella globally released by The Awakened Press in September 2022.

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