On November 15 in the beautiful Rodier Building in Montreal, I got to discover Italian bubbly from Conegliano Valdobbiadene, known as the heart of Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. As indicated on the Prosecco Superiore website, "Its story began in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, a hilly area in North-East Italy, 50 km from Venice and around 100 from the Dolomites."
Interesting fun fact: in 2019, culminating a lengthy nomination process that took over ten years, UNESCO finally declared the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The landscape is characterized by ‘hogback’ hills, ciglioni – small plots of vines on narrow grassy terraces – forests, small villages and farmland. For centuries, this rugged terrain has been shaped and adapted by man. Since the 17th century, the use of ciglioni has created a particular chequerboard landscape consisting of rows of vines parallel and vertical to the slopes. In the 19th century, the bellussera technique of training the vines contributed to the aesthetic characteristics of the landscape.
The masterclass was hosted by Master of Wine Jacky Blisson which explained Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore is a D.O.C.G. sparkling wine produced exclusively in the hills of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene zone, from mainly the Glera grape variety (must include at least 85%). Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore may be enjoyed Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry and Dry versions, classified according to their level of residual sugar.
We got to taste these 9 Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. in the masterclass:
(1) La Farra Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Extra Brut Rive di Farra di Soligo 2021, 100% Glera. Available at the SAQ at $19.85.
(2) Conte Collalto Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Extra Brut "Ponte Rosso", 95% Glera, 5% Verdiso & Bianchetta.
(3) Bortolomiol Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Extra Brut "Audax Zero.3" Millesimato 2021, 100% Glera. Available at the SAQ at $23.95.
(4) Andreola Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Brut Rive di Refrontolo 2021 Col Del Forno, 100% Glera.
(5) Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Brut, 100% Glera. Available at the SAQ at $20.35.
(6) Gemin Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Brut, 100% Glera.
(7) Masottina Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Extra Dry "Contrada Granda", 100% Glera.
(8) Domus Picta Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Extra Dry, 100% Glera.
(9) Villa Sandi Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. Extra Dry, 100% Glera. Available at the SAQ at $16.25.
Do you have a favourite Prosecco?