We accept it. We acknowledge it. We recognise the absurdity of it; for many, there’s only one way to ‘enjoy’ Prosecco this Christmas, and that’s to drink it. Six ways? That’s pushing it…
But to dismiss Prosecco as purely a quick, quaffable drop is to ignore just how versatile this incredible sparkling wine can truly be. In the right hands (ideally those of a skilled Vigneron), Prosecco can be just as premium, celebratory and – whisper it – delicious as Champagne.
If you’re looking to appreciate the finest Italian sparkling wines to their full potential this festive season, then you’ve come to the right place; here are 6 ways to enjoy Prosecco this Christmas.
AS A CELEBRATORY DRINK
Prosecco is a white wine produced in nine provinces of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of north east Italy. Made with a grape variety named Glera, its status is legally protected by the DOC and DOCG Italian classification and labelling system, which preserves the origin and exclusivity of many Italian food and drink products.
Whilst revered in Italy for its refreshing, fruity taste, superb bubble distribution and suave finish, Prosecco is sometimes misunderstood in the UK, with bottles of inferior quality all too often gracing bottomless brunches and 18th birthday celebrations across the country.
Don’t fall victim to these misconceptions. This Christmas, if you’re keen for a more affordable alternative to Champagne that can more than match the French sparkling wine in quality and complexity, then consider a premium Prosecco such as Prosecco Valdobbiadene.
This is a celebratory drink, make no mistake, and as the expert wine producers at Fossmarai tell us, ‘’The primary characteristics that make the difference in the glass are: the altitude, the ‘terroir’ (the soil composition is different in every area within the same denomination), the exposure of the vineyards, the air, the rainfall, the thermal excursions, and the historical presence of different grape varieties in the vineyards.’’
We’re particular fans of Fossmarai’s Guia Prosecco Valdobbiadene Brut Millesimato. Considering the quality of this superb Prosecco, the price of just £25 a bottle is an absolute steal. A silver medal winner at Decanter’s World Wine Awards 2020, if you’re looking for a truly celebratory drink this festive season, look no further than a premium Prosecco such as this one.
CHRISTMAS COCKTAIL
Many drinks aficionados regard Prosecco as the best sparkling wine choice for cocktails, as it’s produced in a dry, brut style that doesn’t overwhelm some of the sweeter or more piquant elements essential to most cocktails. What’s more, due to the Glera grapes’ fruity flavour profile of green apple, honeydew melon, pear, and honeysuckle, it helps to suggest a hint of underlying sweetness that’s particularly complementary to fruit based cocktails.
For a Christmas cocktail worthy of the occasion, why not try one of these:
- Mimosa – A Christmas morning classic here in the UK, those in-the-know believe Prosecco to be the ideal sparkling wine for a Mimosa, owing to its fruity, refreshing finish, which pairs so well with the orange juice.
- Bellini – An absolute Italian staple hailing from Venice, simply pour a puree of white peaches in a wine flute and top with Prosecco. Add a splash of cranberry juice for a festive twist.
- Negroni Sbagliato – Though the word ‘sbagliato’ translates as ‘wrong’, this riff on a classic Negroni, with Prosecco standing in for gin, feels so right for Christmas time. This is particularly true if you garnish your Sbagliato with a little star anise, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, as suggested in this Negroni recipe from the BBC.
THE PERFECT PARTNER TO CHRISTMAS MORNING CANAPES
Glastonbury. The airport. Christmas Day. The only times of year when a morning drink is allowed in the UK? We certainly think so.
If you’re serving a drink to match the Christmas morning canapes, Prosecco is the connoisseur’s choice; it’s noticeably sweeter than Champagne and generally less astringent, making it a more considered, palatable affair for a pre-midday drink.
In Italy, Prosecco is often enjoyed as an aperitif to accompany stuzzichini (Italian nibbles) such as cured meats, buffalo mozzarella with cherry tomatoes, black olive tapenade and toasted rosemary focaccia, but it’s equally adept as a pairing for a traditional festive smoked salmon.
Should you wish to add some orange juice and turn it into Bucks Fizz, a Christmas morning staple, then go ahead. Remember it’s two parts sparking wine and one part orange juice. Moreover, the fresher the squeezed orange juice, the better the result. Or, as mentioned, you could have a Mimosa instead, which, like a Bucks Fizz, contains champagne and orange juice, but in equal measures.
Read: 5 IDEAL pairing tips for Italian wine
AS THE IDEAL PAIRING FOR A CHRISTMAS EVE ‘FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES’
Or, if you’re a true Italophile and are considering observing a traditional Italian Christmas Eve ‘feast of the seven fishes’ get-together, then Prosecco makes the perfect accompaniment for this extravagant celebration of all things oceanic and edible.
Traditionally, on the 24th December, Italians gather with family to enjoy several courses of seafood. Though there are no set-in-stone rules regarding what fish or dishes should be served, it’s traditional for salt cod (baccalà) to grace the dining table at some stage during the evening. Its salinity is offset beautifully by Prosecco, with the drink’s looser bubble structure cleansing the palate between bites.
A Prosecco Valdobbiadene Guia Brut Millesimato is the ideal choice here; its refined and fruity bouquet, rich, enveloping and intense taste, and persistence on the palate makes it the perfect pairing with shellfish, in particular.
AS PART OF SEASONAL DESSERT
Prosecco can also be used in several Christmas desserts, its richer characteristics coming to the foreground, flavour wise, when used in sweet treats of the season. A classic Christmas trifle can be elevated to dizzy new heights with the addition of a Prosseco jelly. Or, how about a clementine and Prosecco syllabub, as a refreshing finisher to a coma-inducing roast Turkey lunch?
If neither of those float (or should that be ‘flute’?) your boat, then surely you can’t resist legendary Italian chef Aldo Zilli’s strawberry, blackpepper, orange and Prosecco tiramisu?
As you can see, the Italian sparkling wine is surprisingly versatile when used in after dinner treats, lending subtle sweetness, body and complexity to all manner of desserts.
Read: Best vegan Proseccos of 2022 unveiled
TRY COL FONDO
For a different Prosecco drinking experience, why not try Col Fondo? A cloudy, funky version of the famous Italian sparkling wine that’s unfiltered and produced with minimal intervention, if you’re a fan of the biodynamic wine movement currently sweeping the UK, you’ll love Col Fondo.
Ideal as an aperitivo, why not bring out a bottle of this highly unusual drink before your Christmas feast to stimulate the appetites of your guests and to stimulate conversation, too!
GO TO THE SOURCE
Or, if the thought of Christmas abroad this year sounds appealing, then consider going to the source of this incredible sparkling wine and spending the holiday season in Italy. Be sure to visit the Valdobbiadene area, one of the two towns included in the small historical area of Prosecco production and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and where the incredible Prosecco Valdobbiadene is produced. Check out these 5 IDEAL places to drink wine in Italy for more on that!