Italy’s Sparkling Advantage: Prosecco and Franciacorta
BY ERIC GUIDO | DECEMBER 15, 2020
The holidays are upon us. It’s the season where more bubbly is purchased and consumed than at any other time of the year. Whether it’s for gifting, celebrating or the perfect pairing at your holiday meal, a bottle of bubbly always fits the bill. The funny part is that, when the average consumer walks into a retail store at this time of year, the word Champagne is usually the first thing to part from their lips. However, and I can tell you this from personal experience, once they learn that the average entry-level Champagne sells for $40 or more, the next word from their lips is Prosecco! I say Bravo to that, as long as the Prosecco you’re buying is through an informed decision and worth the tariff - but that’s a big part of the reason why you’re here reading this, isn’t it? But let’s just say that you’re really looking for that Champagne-like experience without settling for the “entry-level” bottle. I have an answer for that too - it’s Franciacorta. Here we have a mix of the similar varieties used in Champagne, which are vinified using the same techniques. The good news is that, while Franciacorta isn’t inexpensive, it is possible to experience something special through a bottle that shows complexity and finesse while communicating it at a much more digestible price.