Just as all that glitters is not gold, all that bubbles is not Champagne. Sometimes that is a good thing.
My bubbly of choice this summer has been Prosecco, the sparkling wine of Italy’s Veneto region. Prosecco, I have discovered, is a much better fit for some occasions than much more expensive Champagne.
This is the subject of my Creators Syndicate column this week, which you can read either in a newspaper near you or, failing that, online by clicking here.
What I find most appealing about Prosecco is its fruitiness combined with a softer acidity than most Champagnes and New World sparkling wines. There is none of that acid burn on the back of the palate that often intrudes on your pleasure after a couple of glasses of Champagne.
For summertime quaffing or simply as an aperitif, Prosecco is a refreshing alternative to Champagne — at half the price, or less.
And there are Prosecco styles to fit any palate, from brut to extra dry to demi-sec. And because of the easy price (most top-notch Prosecco hovers around $19 a bottle) Prosecco is a sparkling beverage you can enjoy the year ’round, without waiting for that special occasion.
It’s meant to be consumed fresh and young, and every day if you are so inclined.
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