NZ & International Prosecco

SIX TASTINGS AGO we took the prosecco out of the ‘other sparkling’ category to give it a space of its own. Prosecco’s popularity was reflected in the entries so we wanted to do justice to the wine and its adorers. In that first tasting in 2020, an Italian prosecco took the top spot, followed by another, then two consecutive wins from Australian proseccos, which had also been soaring in popularity and quality. Italy came back strong last year and now Australia has evened the scoreboard. As tragic as it may seem this is one of the results I am most excited to know each year, because unlike the many ‘them versus us’ clashes on the sports field, this is one where we should be cheering the Aussies. Simply put, the success of our closest new-world wine neighbours emboldens New Zealand’s success. It tells us that we don’t have to fear playing the old wine world at their own game. That we too can make wine that will shape our future and that thing that we haven’t tried before could be our ‘next big thing’ that further elevates our winemaking profile globally. If we had left sauvignon blanc to the French then would we be as known and respected internationally?

So three cheers to team De Bortoli and this spectacular prosecco, which is fresh and vibrant on the nose with rock melon, peach and red apple aromas alongside delicate wisteria blossoms. The acid is bright with a lovely core of flavour held in beautiful balance. Clean, focussed, fresh and fabulous.