It appears my favorite is winning!
I've been a fan of Prosecco over Champagne now for a few years
thanks to some friends who won us over with their favorite bubbly.
Prosecco sold 3 million more bottles than Champagne last year
for the first time ever.
And with that, the French Champagne region
is beginning to take notice.
I like it because it has fewer bubbles.
The public also likes it because it is less expensive than Champagne
and apparently takes less time to produce.
Prosecco is made from the Glera grape,
also once called Prosecco, in the Veneto region of Italy,
probably another reason I like it!
It is also used in Venice's famous Bellini Cocktail,
invented by Harry's Bar founder, Giuseppe Cipriani, sometime in the 1930's or '40's.
In the early 1500's,
Prosecco was considered the heir to the Pucinian wine,
a favorite of Pliny the Elder.
It can be sparkling or still,
dry or sweet,
but most often dry and sparkling.
Next time you celebrate with bubbly,
give ancient Italy a try!
(Photo from Henly Literary Festival 2011)
(Info from Wiki and Total Wine's Guide to Prosecco)
