The Mionetto Prosecco Brut DOC is made rom the Glera grape sourced from vineyards near the town of Valdobbiadene inside the Treviso appellation in the Veneto region (near Venice) of Italy. Mionetto has been producing wine since 1887 and all Prosecco is made from one grape varietal, the Glera grape. There are 2 main growing areas in Prosecco, the DOC and the DOCG, the DOCG grapes are grown on steep hillsides in a region sort of in the middle of the Prosecco growing area, while the DOC grapes are grown in lower, less hilly ground. This is a non-vintage wine, which is typical for Sparkling wine, the producers want a “house style” which is consistent year after year. Prosecco wines are fermented twice, the first fermentation is essentially the same as any wine and the second fermentation occurs when the once fermented wine is transferred to huge pressurized vats or autoclave (very much like the devices to sterilize medical and tattooing equipment, but on a grander scale). This second fermentation does not sound very magical, but this is where the bubbles are made. This is a Brut wine, which means dry, not sweet, when you see Extra Dry on the label that means the wine is slightly sweet. Somewhat confusing, I know, but the one thing to remember, if a wine has a good deal of acidity (such as Prosecco), the acidity will balance a small amount of extra sugar and the wine wine taste more fruity than sweet. The alcohol content is 11%.
The color is a crystal clear, pale golden yellow with a flurry of bubbles. The nose is a pleasant mix of citrus and ripe fruit with a crisp floral edge. This is a crisp, slightly yeasty Prosecco with delicate flavors and well-balanced acidity. It starts with peach, lemon hard candy (not sweet), apple, and nectarine. The mid-palate offers a delicious mix of honey and tart lime. The acidity is extremely well-balanced for a value priced Sparkling wine, it is a very easy sipper. The finish is light but long.
The Mionetto Prosecco Brut DOC is an excellent Bubbly that just happens to be inexpensive. Here is the key to finding Sparkling wine that speaks to you, its find the producer that makes the style that fits your palate. With Prosecco all the wineries use the same grape, Glera, and the same production method, Charmat. Yes how and where the grapes are grown make a difference and there are variables with the second fermentation, but the “House Style”, the combination of all the subtle differences is what is the most important. Find a value Prosecco in the style you love and maybe a more upscale Prosecco for special occasions. The great thing about Prosecco that even the more boutique Prosecco are not too expensive. Sampling thru a variety of Prosecco to find the one that is just right sounds like a fun way to spend the summer. Maybe something like Tuesday night Prosecco night where each neighbor brings over a different brand at a different price range. By the fall you will have you Bubbly preferences dialed in.
There are other grapes that can comprise up to 15% of a bottle of Prosecco. What’s true is that many bottlings are 100% Glera, a variety that used to itself be referred to as Prosecco.