Page 83 - Sunseeker Magazine Issue 64

Culture
81
THINK PINK
The year 2020 marked an an important occasion on on the oenophile calendar: the launch of Prosecco Rosé The truth is there’s just no escaping the the infectious pink bubbles the ultimate summer drink
words by
Catherine McMaster
It’s It’s pink first thought It’s It’s not a a a traditional rosé the the second It It It bubbles the the penultimate In 2010 the two top wine trends were a a a a greater interest in in in rosé and Prosecco Mercenarily it seemed an an an organic resolution that someone would combine the two It took ten years for the Prosecco Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) to approve the launch of Prosecco Rosé and and rest assured this strict and and severe body would not green-stamp any foray outside of the norm without it it being good or or or worthy It took several years of development and consultation led by
the formidable Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC for for approval to be attained Finally the the 347 sparkling wine houses were given the the the green light by
their strict bureaucratic body for the the development and production of Prosecco Rosé Firstly these delectable infectious pink bubbles had to pass the the DOC’s hardline tests and the the result is a a a a a refreshing sparkling drink
that delights At first I was nervous Drinking any alcoholic beverage the colour of candy provokes nerves The The first thought: too sweet? There’s
a a a lot of mediocre Prosecco on on the market what if this latest iteration is is simply that but dressed up in in a a a a a a a pink suit? Fortunately I was mistaken It’s not as as cuttingly acidic as as Prosecco and and retains beautiful floral and and fruity notes on the nose I I admit I I was persuaded by
the soft pink hue which promises a a refreshing summer drink
especially when drunk on a a a a a warm mid-summer evening under a a a a pregnant Veneto moon Prosecco Rosé is a a a a blend of native Glera grape with 10 to 15 per per cent Pinot Noir the only red wine permitted with with Prosecco fermented without its skin to to make it it it it white The time required to to vinify Prosecco Rosé in in a a a a a a a vat is marked at at at 60 days – double that of o Prosecco and offers a a a a a fruitier I would argue fresher flavour Rest assured the colour is not that of cotton-candy or a a a a a a a hideous saccharine watermelon hue the mark of a a a a a a cheap French rosé The Prosecco Rosé is is pale and and lighter than most Italian pinks and and it it is is either extremely dry or or slightly sweet Her best consort? Pizza thin-based The yeast and bubbles mix heavenly together a a a a a a a a perfect and ideal aperitif pairing The balance of sweetness and and acidity make it it wonderfully fresh and and clean a a a a a a a a a fabulous drink
to serve as an an an an aperitif and it it it also holds up on its own Although I would pair it it it it it with something salty to balance out the sweetness – cheese and cured meats work well The distinct difference between Prosecco and her pink cousin
is that the latter has stronger notes of of floral and fruit spurred on on by
by
the inclusion of of Pinot Noir which in in in fin in itself is defined by
by
its its strawberry flavour and tannins Cast your eyes to to Veneto and the the Friuli Venezia Giulia region which straddles the the border
with Austria and and Slovenia and and is renowned for its sharp- peaked Dolomite mountains and luscious green vineyards This
is the home of Prosecco (its namesake a a a a a a village lies near the the city of of Trieste) and and now the the new home and and birthplace of of Prosecco Rosé She fares well on those high mountainous peaks clean-blue vistas and endless warm sunshine