The popularity of Prosecco knows no bounds, if its rapid growth in outstripping the sales of champagne is any indicator. Ever since Prosecco overtook champagne as the world’s biggest selling bubbles (by dollars sold globally), sales have been on a global roll and they show no signs of slowing down. The price is right, the taste is reliable and the light bodied fresh flavours make Prosecco an incredibly versatile wine to drink year round.
Prosecco is, first and foremost, Italian. It can only be called Prosecco legally if it’s made in Veneto and Friuli, two regions in north east Italy. It is not the only low priced fizz that ticks a lot of boxes, as the following fizzy line up shows.
Star wine of the week: Palais de Versailles Blanc de Blancs Brut $11.99
17/20, 4 stars
Low priced and very nice, thanks to the creamy expression of Chardonnay in this light bodied bubbly from France. It’s dry in taste with big creamy aromas and a smooth finish. Very good value as an everyday spring and summer fizz. Very refreshing wine for weekend lunches and after work week days. View here.
Grandin Methode Traditionnelle Brut Rosé NV
16.5/20, 3.5 stars
The Loire Valley is the longest river in France and home to a stunning array of interesting grape varieties which have made their home along the meandering path that it cuts through central France. This rosé is made from lightly pressed red grapes (variety not specified on the label) which had their second fermentation in the bottle, hence the words ‘methode traditionelle’ on the front label – this gives the wine its yeasty flavour notes and complexity. A bargain at this price. View here.
BelColle Le Rosé Brut
16.5/20, 3.5 stars
Italian vino spumante covers a wide range of wine styles, including this lively fresh pink bubbles made from grapes grown in a range of Italian wine regions. It’s light bodied, crisp and zingy. A fun, delicious light, dry bubbly, which is super affordable. View here.
Signore Giuseppe Lambrusco Dell’Emilia Rosso Amabile Vino Frizzante
15.5/20, 3 stars
Fun fizzy reds may be something of a rarity in this country but they rule the roost in warm places such as parts of Italy, which is where this lightly sparkling Lambrusco comes from. It’s medium ruby in colour with medium intensity of dark fruity flavours in an off dry style with a light spritzy fizz. Fun and affordable. View here.
Joelle Thomson is a wine writer, journalist and author. She’s an avid lover of wine and currently writes for Capital magazine, Good magazine, NZ Winegrower, Drinksbiz, and her own site, www.joellethomson.com.
She also teaches, works in radio, and more, so we've enlisted her help to sniff out our amazing value wines!
