SPARKLING

Guide to choosing sparkling wine: some useful tips

Italian sparkling wines offer a wide variety of choices, which can be confusing for the less experienced. To choose the right bottle, it is useful to know a few key elements. First of all, the production method greatly influences the taste: the Metodo Classico, used for Franciacorta and Trento DOC, produces more complex and structured sparkling wines, while the Metodo Charmat, typical of Prosecco, creates fresher and fruitier bubbles.

Sweetness is another important factor: Brut is dry and perfect for aperitifs, Extra Dry has a touch of sweetness that makes it versatile, while Demi-sec is sweeter and goes well with desserts. The occasion for consumption can guide the choice: a fresh Prosecco is ideal for an informal aperitif, an elegant Franciacorta is suitable for important dinners, while a sweet Moscato d'Asti is perfect for accompanying desserts.

Prices vary considerably: they start at $10-15 for entry-level bottles, rise to $15-30 for medium quality, and exceed $30 for the most prestigious labels.

Time to start popping those corks.