WHAT DOES “DOCG MILLESIMATO SPARKLING WINE” MEAN?

You’ll have found, or even drunk, a prosecco called “Millesimato”, and at the same time, you will have wondered what this category means.

The word “Millesimato” comes from the French “millésime” and means “vintage”. In fact, a wine producer can affix the term “Millesimato” to the wording of a Prosecco only if he uses at least 85% of the grapes of a single vintageonly. On the back label, it is mandatory to insert the year of harvest to which the product refers.

Prosecco Millesimato doesn’t indicate a higher quality of the product, but more care on the part of the producer, because the bunches used for its realization are carefully selected and then brought to the winemaking process. It is also a strong point because the producer transmits to the consumer the result of a good year from a qualitative point of view.

Francesco Drusian has been producing Valdobbiadene DOCG Millesimato sparkling wine since about 1994 and produces it following the Charmat method. After the harvest, which takes place exclusively by hand from the third decade of September, the 100% Glera grapes arrive in the cellar and are pressed. The must is moved inside steel tanks where the first fermentation takes place, which lasts about 15-20 days. The base wine is racked in an autoclave for the second fermentation. Added the yeast and the sugar. This phase has a total duration of about 70/80 days. After this elapsed time, the sparkling wine is filtered and then bottled.

Francesco’s choice, was to give life to a Valdobbiadene DOCG Millesimato sparkling wine in the Dry version, with a residual sugar about 18-20 g/l. It’s possible because the grapes used for this label come from the only Valdobbiadene DOCG hills. This area enjoys a mild climate, with good exposure to the sun and an essential temperature range between day and night, all elements that favor a correct ripening of the bunches. In the case of Spumante Millesimato Drusian, the grapes are 100% those of the same vintage.

This wine has a straw yellow color with golden reflections. It has a fine and persistent perlage with aromas reminiscent of golden apple and white peach with a fresh hint of citrus. The taste on the palate is harmonious and balanced. It is an ideal sparkling wine to celebrate special occasions and is also excellent as an accompaniment to soft shellfish.