May 23: Although the Prosecco DOC Consortium gave its approval for a rosé Prosecco last year, legal issues were still to be dealt with before starting the harvest and production of pink Prosecco, the Italian Law has finally recognised the variant and the first shipment could leave for export on 1 January 2021, writes Subhash Arora who feels it may add 40-50 million bottles to the sales during the next 2-3 years
Under the official rules, Prosecco DOC Rosé must include Glera grapes and 10%-15% Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), with yields at 18 tons/hectare for Glera and 13.5 tons/hectare for Pinot Nero. For the 2020 vintage depressed market conditions due to Covid-19, there has been a cap on production at 15 tons/hA for Prosecco DOC and 12 tons/hA for Prosecco Superiore DOCG.
Moreover, second fermentation must be by the Martinotti/Charmat method for a minimum of 60 days and Sales may be effected from 1 January after the harvest. Residual sugar can range from 0-17 gms/lt with three categories Brut Nature (0 gms), Brut (1-12 gms/lt and Extra Dry (13-17 gms/lt). The label will have to state the word ‘Millesimato’ and the vintage, with a minimum of 85% of the grapes from that vintage. It will also help that the colours approved for the new wine will resemble the popular Provence Rose colour. India imports almost an equal amount of Brut and Extra Dry categories.
Given the popularity of the pink version and the existing demand for Rose Spumante sold anyway as Prosecco by many importers in India and even in some other countries, the Pink Prosecco DOC should be well accepted by the market. Consorzio DOCG has already announced that it will not allow the Rose version in its appellation.
The current laws for Prosecco allow the use of only Glera ( a minimum of 85%) and other white grapes only to the extent of 15%, that may include Bianchetta Trevigiana, Chardonnay, Glera Lunga, Perera, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Verdiso Interestingly red Pinot Nero (Noir) may also be added to the extent of 15%. Glera was popularly known as Prosecco grape before the 2009 changes when this practice was legally discontinued for Prosecco to get a GI recognition.
Francesco Zonin, Vice- President of one of the biggest Prosecco producers and represented in India by Aspri Spirits, supports the government decision and says that Zonin 1821 will launch Prosecco Rosé using strict guidelines. “If you blend 5-10% red wine made with grapes from the same area and produce something that is similar in taste and style to Prosecco, then why not?,” he says.
Aspri Spirits had earlier informed delWine that they might not import the pink version right away and would wait to see the reaction in other markets. Arun Kumar, Director of Aspri informs delWine that now that it has been allowed finally, they would revisit and talk to Zonin and might release during the coming season early next year if the changed market scenario suggests but right now they are busy fighting the Covid fire when the sales have been extremely disappointing,
This timescale is backed up by Henkell Freixenet, which owns the Mionetto Prosecco and Freixenet Prosecco brands. “We are expecting to harvest the grapes for our first rosé Prosecco in 2020, with a possible market launch in 2021,” said senior vice president Sandra Janetzki, according to Harpers. Interestingly, Freixenet Cava is also imported by Aspri in India.
It is not easy to produce a Rose sparkling wine. Bottega has had huge success with its Bottega Rose Gold, a sparkling rosé made in Lombardy from Pinot Noir. and are ready to produce n on production of a rosé Prosecco to sit alongside it. Sandro Bottega, owner of Bottega Prosecco Gold knows it is a tricky business when he says, “Rosé wines, especially rosé sparkling wines, are difficult to produce.
Il Simone exports Prosecco DOC and Rose Spumante through Hema Connoisseur. delWine contacted Anna Brisotto of the winery to find out if and when they would also start producing the new variant. She said, “we need to wait for the law officially and hope that we can sell our first bottle in Italy in September, 2020. We were told by the Consorzio only 2 days back that we can go ahead. We have to wait for the European Community law for exports. Prosecco doc Rose’ will be more expensive that Spumante Rose’ by about 20%”.
She said Hema was very interested in Prosecco Rose’. But when we checked up with Amit Aggarwal of Hema, he said he was already importing the Pink Prosecco and forwarded a picture of the rose Spumante which he and every other importer in India has been selling as a Pink Prosecco-and a good proportion of his sales. Hopefully, he would order the Real McCoy for his discerning customers. A 20% increase would translate into about Rs. 400-500 increase which the Indian market may not be able to bear.
There has been a reason for even the DOC Consortium following the rigid rules and allowing only Prosecco Brut version so far. Some traditionalists believe that the concept of pink Prosecco may be seen as a dilution of the regional brand built over a long period because of its simplicity and singularity. Most people agree however, that the commercial potential of pink Prosecco outweighs the possible risk to its image riding high; it is now the highest selling sparkling wine variant in the world, having overtaken first Cava and then Champagne in sales.
As already reported in delWine, there is no suggestion that the Consortium of DOCG wines made in the inner, hilly areas of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Asolo. But for now, Stefano Zanette, president of the Prosecco DOC Consorzio has a lot on his plate to ensure that the export markets are ready for Prosecco Rose Brut DOC and see if those that followed the procedure for 2019 vintage can start selling them now.
If you liked this Article, or if you are a Prosecco fan, you might like our following earlier Articles:
Pink Prosecco will hit Market by Christmas 2019
Authentic Pink Prosecco may be a Reality Soon
View Point: Italy-Australia Prosecco Debate hits Press
Bubble Trouble for Prosecco still not over in Australia
Italian Producers may Challenge Oz rights to produce Prosecco
Blog : Prosecco 1754 or Frizzante 1593-or Fynes 1593
Blog : Prosecco Van in the London Land
Italians Upset about Unfair Tirade against Proseccox
Jacob’s Creek introduces Prosecco Spritz in Australia
Prosecco Producers Apply for GI Status in India
Say ‘Chak de Phatte’ with Prosecco This Festive Season
Wine Travels: Passing through Prosecco land
Subhash Arora
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