Durban - When you think of a fancy drink, Champagne is usually what comes to mind.
It’s French, after all, and everything French is fancy. Champagne is luxurious, light and it tastes good too. There’s just one problem, it usually comes with a high price tag. Enter Prosecco, an Italian bubbly that many are saying is better than Champagne and is cheaper too.
If you walked into a South African restaurant a year ago and asked your waiter whether or not they stocked Prosecco, chances are you got a “what is that,” or “no we don’t”. Fast forward to now and although some establishments have still not caught on, chances are your waiter will say “let me check if we still have any stock left”. Yes the demand is so high that the supply is a problem at some establishments.
This Italian sparkling white wine has become so popular that Marks & Spencer in the UK reported a 45 percent increase in sales. Murray Ewin, general manager at Tasha’s in Gateway, said that Prosecco was a fast mover.
“People love it. It has been on our menu for a while now and I think people love it because it is not hard on the throat,” he said.
The flavour of Prosecco has been described as intensely aromatic and crisp, bringing to mind yellow apple, pear, white peach, and apricot. It is easy on the throat and from my very first sip at a lunch party last year, I have become somewhat of an enthusiast. It can be enjoyed on its own or as a spritzer and can even be added to a cocktail.
So what exactly is this new bubbly? Well, there are two types of Prosecco, the first and more expensive is referred to as “DOC”, which stands for denominazione di origine controllata. This means that this sparkling wine is made from glera grapes grown in north eastern Italy, between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano.
This type of Prosecco can be made partly from other types of grapes or even mixed with other wines, but it must contain 85 percent traditional and verified Prosecco to be called Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, DOC.
Wines made using glera grapes grown elsewhere can still be called Prosecco only if they contain 75 percent actual Prosecco.
The difference in taste is negligible, but the difference in the price is not. A DOC Prosecco retails at as much as R250 while non-DOC can sell for as little as R100.
Prosecco on its own
Prosecco is best served chilled and in a tall, slender glass. A champagne flute is traditionally festive, but a wine glass lets the bubbles rise while also allowing contact with the air to develop the scent of the drink. Avoid using old-fashioned wide, shallow champagne glasses if you’re serving Prosecco on its own, because the large surface area and shallow bowl will cause the Prosecco to go flat faster.
Mixing Prosecco cocktails
Because of its lighter texture and more reasonable price point, Prosecco is a delicious and cost-effective choice for mixed drinks.
A classic Bellini cocktail, for example, is traditionally made with Prosecco and peach puree. You can add peach liqueur for a stronger drink, or mix Prosecco with a frozen mixed berry puree for a berry Bellini.
Strawberry puree and Prosecco is called a Rossini. This is a refreshing brunch drink. Substitute Prosecco for Champagne in your orange juice to keep costs down. Or add a splash of Grand Marnier or triple sec for a deeper flavour.
Other cocktail recipes
Aperol Spritz
A handful of ice cubes
50ml Aperol
75ml Prosecco
25ml gin (optional)
A splash of soda water
1 slice of orange
Add lots of ice to a large white wine glass. Pour over the Aperol, followed by the Prosecco and gin (if using). Stir once and finish the drink with a splash of soda water and a slice of orange.
Cranberry, orange and Prosecco
2 cups cranberries
250 ml sugar
2 oranges
1 bottle Prosecco
In a saucepan, cook the cranberries with the sugar until they render some juice, about five minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
On a work surface, use a knife to cut the peel from the oranges. Cut between the membranes and divide into sections (supremes). When ready to serve, pour a spoonful of the cranberry mixture in a glass with a few orange supremes. Top with Prosecco.
Health benefits
Prosecco, just like Champagne, has been found to have similar health benefits to red wine, meaning it contains antioxidants that reduce the effects of cell-damaging free radicals in the body.
These antioxidants help to lower blood pressure so they reduce the risk of heart problems and strokes. The antioxidants, or polyphenols, also help to ease circulatory problems.
Bubbly also can help to protect drinkers from brain injuries and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Prosecco also has a lower percentage of alcohol.
Where to get it in Durban
* Tashas, Gateway
* The Oyster Box Hotel Grill Room, uMhlanga
* Woolworths, Musgrave
* Beluga, uMhlanga
* Spiga d’Oro, Morningside
* Lupa Osteria, Hillcrest and Westville
* The Beverly Hills Hotel, uMhlanga
Sunday Tribune