Richard Baudains writes about Italian wine for Decanter magazine and chairs a panel at the Decanter World Wine Awards. He is on the local team of the Slow Wine guide and teaches courses on wine journalism at the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche. He lives in Gorizia, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Richard Baudains sat down with the Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene to taste a selection of wines bottled according to the latest rule changes in the appellation. The concept of single vineyard Prosecco known as ’rive’ is gradually being established as part of a campaign to highlight the viticultural heritage of these UNESCO protected hillsides and differentiate the territory’s artisan sparkling wines from the more everyday examples made in the larger Prosecco DOC. Here are his tasting notes presented without scores.
“Hard to choose between the outstanding, single plot selections of the Sorelle Bronca. This one is dry but ripe and fleshy with a creamy texture, great freshness and a lovely grapey finish.”
“Extended time on the lees gives definition and complexity on the nose, breadth to the palate and a long savoury finish in the very dry but satisfying house style.”
“From the very good 2019 vintage and showing the benefits of extra time in bottle, this has great fruit and floral complexity on the nose and a long dry palate of crystalline purity.”
“To make the point that Prosecco can evolve splendidly, this 2016 combines mature aromas of tropical fruit, incense, juniper, liquorice and wet flint with impeccable freshness and great mouth feel.”
“A style which is slightly out of fashion, but a lovely wine with a juicy, ripe fruit quality, creamy texture and finely judged sugar/acid balance in the finish.”