Have you ever tasted a Prosecco Extra Dry and were surprised to find that it was sweeter than you expected?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine made with Glera grapes grown typically in the Valdobbiadene (Veneto) region and is produced using the “Tank Method.”  

Valdobbiadene is the place of truly heroic winemakers due to the difficulty in harvesting the grapes. There are no machines used in harvesting, it is done only by hand, and timing is everything! The steep hillsides and sometimes extreme climate conditions are a true test of the dedication of these local winemakers.  

Now let me explain the different sweetness levels you’ll find in Prosecco. In North America, when people ask for a “dry” wine they don’t expect to taste something sweet. But when it comes to Prosecco, the term “dry” can be confusing. 

Basically, the amount of residual sugar found in a Prosecco is determined by the length of the fermentation period.  The yeasts "eat" the sugar and transform them into alcohol. The residual of sugar per liter modifies the “sweetness level.” This means a longer period of fermentation is required to produce a “dry” Prosecco (but that doesn’t correspond to the label)l. 

🍾 Proseccos are labeled Brut, Extra-Dry, and Dry but the label “Dry” is misleading and is actually reserved for the sweetest Prosecco. Here’s what each label means:

• Prosecco Brut

The most popular on the market, this is the driest Prosecco you will find. This label allows the wine to contain up to 12g of residual sugar per liter. 

•  Prosecco Extra Dry

Contrary to what people might expect, this Prosecco has significantly more sugar than the Brut. At 12-17g of residual sugar per liter, this wine will be smoother, fresher, and moderately sweet. 

• Prosecco Dry

The residual of sugar of this Prosecco is 17-32g per liter. 

It’s important to note that the amount of residual sugar in Prosecco is not an indicator of quality. This is just a matter of preference, taste, and the occasion! To find the Prosecco that suits your tastes, keep in mind that “Dry" is the sweetest and “Brut" is the driest. If you want something in between, “Extra Dry” is a perfectly balanced Prosecco and, perhaps, the most widely appreciated.
 

---

 Meet Zucchetto Estate Vineyards!

All of Zucchetto Estate Vinyard’s wines are amazing. They sparkle in the glass-like sequins and are so lovely on the palate. The three wines that I have brought you, offer a wide choice of dryness.

 

Zucchetto Extra Dry $26

 

Sugar Residual: 13g/L

 

Wine Profile: 

The classic cuvée is from the Valdobbiadene hills. It’s probably the most versatile Prosecco, due to its well-balanced sugar residue. Aromas of wisteria and lily blossoms merge into peach and apple hints; the mouth is creamy, buttery and toasted nuts are present in this luxurious blend. Notes of lively spice and aromatic herbs add to the complexity.  

 

Zucchetto Puro Fol $30

 

Sugar Residual: 1g/L

 

Wine Profile:

From Follo (or Fol as locals call this scenic little town), prosecco's historical heartland, comes an elegant Brut Prosecco, characterized by inviting aromas of citrus fruit, especially tangerine and grapefruit, fresh vegetation and a note of rustic mint. The mouth is wide, creamy and full of fresh fruits, with a firm acidity that provides a crisp, lingering finish of lime, mineral and almond. The very low sugar residue reveals only superb Prosecco taste. 

 

Zucchetto Cartizze $37

 

Sugar Residual: 5g/L

Wine Profile:

Cartizze is the most prestigious cru in Valdobbiadene Prosecco D.O.C.G. area, a very small surface (just about 270 acres) made in vineyards lying between the steepest hills of San Pietro di Barbozza and Santo Stefano in Valdobbiadene county. In our Cartizze vineyards, there’s a perfect combination of exposition, soil, with moraines, sandstone and clays which allows rapid drainage of rainwater, and natural protection from a dangerous hailstorm, due to an incredibly high slope of the hill. All these factors give a unique and truly sumptuous sparkling wine. Impressions of white peach and apricot, with a hint of apple, accompany a silky and smooth palate; a pleasant note of glazed almond on the aftertaste takes you to a lingering finish. 

 

Whichever offer you choose, one thing is certain, you won't be disappointed in Zucchetto Estate Vineyard’s wines! ❤️ 

~Cheers! 🥂