21 May/Comments Off on 24K Magic in the Air: Bottega Gold Prosecco
It Really is Liquid Gold!
Ok, so if you know me, you know that I love vini Italiani and I loooovvvvee prosecco! I sip prosecco almost every day as an aperitivo. I stumbled upon these beauties a few years ago while in Italy and I fell in love. It’s about time that I share the goods…or should I say, ‘gold?’ Bottega Gold Prosecco is definitely a liquid treasure!
Photo Credit: Bottega SpA
About Bottega
Photo Credit: Bottega SpA
Alexander Blown Glass
on Bottega Grappa
Bottega SpA, originally known as Distilleria Bottega, is located in the Veneto region of Italy and was established in 1977 by Aldo Bottega, who followed in the footsteps of his forefather, winemaker, Domenico Bottega. While Bottega initially made grappa, in 1992, they began producing Il Vino dei Poeti, a Prosecco that was their segue into the wine market. The 1995 launch of Fragolino helped to solidify their position in the industry. Bottega acquired their head office in Bilbano di Godega di Sant’Urbano in 2007. This area, which is close to the Venetian alps, proves to be ideal for wine-growing and producing prosecco due to its climate and the hills of Valdobbiadene. As Bottega continued to grow, direct management of two wineries in Valpolicella and Montalcino followed between 2009 and 2011. This acquisition served to help them control the production of Amarone, Brunello and other varietals indigenous to these regions. In 2011, the Alexander Blown Glass factory was opened in Pianzano. Alexander is a trademark under Bottega, where artistic bottles are produced. Today, Bottega SpA is distributed in more than 120 countries worldwide.
Hills of Valdobbiadene, Italy
Here’s a little more about Bottega’s History:
BOTTEGA – Presentazione Aziendale (ITALIANO)
About Prosecco
The sparkling Italian white wine, known as Prosecco, is made from Glera grapes. Glera, formerly known as Prosecco grapes, was named after a regional town with the same name. In making prosecco, up to 15% Glera grapes are used, along with other varietals such as Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Verdiso and a few others. Both Prosecco DOC and DOCG are produced. Prosecco DOC, which is produced in nine provinces between Veneto and Fruili Venezia Giulia, can be sparkling (spumante), semi-sparkling (frizzante) or still (tranquillo). Prosecco Superiore DOCG is available as Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG, which can only be made in Treviso between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, and Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, which is made near the town of Asolo.
Charmat, also known as Metodo Martinotti or Metodo Italiano, is the method used when making Prosecco. This method was first developed and patented Federico Martinotti in 1895 and expounded upon by Eugène Charmat in 1907. In regards to production, the wine, sugar and yeast are mixed in stainless steel tanks. Once the sugar is converted into alcohol, the yeast is filtered and removed. Second fermentation takes place and the wine is bottled until the desired bubble or sparkle quality is achieved.
Now, let’s get more acquainted with Bottega Gold Prosecco.
The Wining Hour’s 24K Prosecco Tasting:
The Bottega Gold line was launched as a limited edition in 2001. It wasn’t long before everyone wanted the gold, and it was distributed in Duty Free and the best bars all over Europe, America and Asia. Although the focus of this writing is on my other tasting (below), I would be remiss if I didn’t include my this one.
Bottega Gold IL Vino Dei Poeti, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Spumante Extra Dry
My first experience with Bottega SpA was in Italy, of course. I had the pleasure of tasting Il Vino Dei Poeti, and this is, by far, one of the best Proseccos I’ve ever tasted. According to Bottega SpA, “Vino dei Poeti is a name that evokes the way poets, artists and art lovers raise their glasses to toast the joy of being alive and drink their beloved light, fragrant sparkling wine.” Exactly. This prosecco transports me to Italy with every sip. There is no question that this is a high quality prosecco. Glera grapes are picked in cases by hand to produce this wine. The must is extracted via soft pressing. Following is “static decantation and fermentation with selected yeasts coming from the production area. Second fermentation (usually with must and wine) in autoclave occurs according to the Charmat method at a temperature of 14-15° C. The wine is then cold stabilized at a temperature of -3° C and finally filtered and bottled.”
Il Vino Dei Poeti is pale yellow to the eye. On the nose, are floral notes of acacia and honeysuckle. The palate delights with yellow apple, pear and honeysuckle. Fresh, crisp and dry. Rich and persistent. IL Vino Dei Poeti is perfect as an aperitivo and will go well with almost anything.
This bottle of bubbles absolutely evokes life and energy. I search for it on every trip to Italy and I am beyond delighted when it is in my glass. However, Bottega Gold does not stop here. Their sparkling portfolio is hidden treasure.
Bottega Gold Prosecco DOC
Bottega’s Venetian Gold Prosecco is a spumante made with Glera grapes grown in the Valdobbiadene hills. The grapes are picked manually and then soft pressed. In line with the Charmat method, the must is stored in stainless steel then fermented for nearly 40 days, with the addition of selected yeasts. Afterwards, it is filtered and bottled. The length of fermentation affects the quality of the bubbles, as longer fermentation preserves aromas and leads to finer and bubblier bubbles. Bottega Gold Prosecco is a straw yellow spumante, with floral and fruity scents of lily, pear and melon. The palate is dry, tasting of green apple and citrus blossom. Elegant and persistent.
Bottega Rose Gold Prosecco DOC
Bottega’s Rose Gold Prosecco is a spumante made from Pinot Nero grapes. Those who love rosé or bubbly rosé will love this one. As Bottega harvests manually, these grapes are hand picked and vinified at a controlled temperature. Typical when making rosé or other skin-fermented wines, the skins stay in contact with the must for 24 hours. Then the must and skins are then separated by soft pressing and followed by fermentation. The year after the harvest, second fermentation occurs in steel containers.
Bottega Rose Gold is salmon-pink in color. A nose of cranberry, strawberry and rose petal and wild strawberry, red currant and celery on the palate. This bubbly rosé of Pinot Noir is a real treat, perfect for any occasion. It is delicate with good acidity.
The golden, metallic bottles were selected to protect the wine from light, preserving its aroma and freshness thus giving the wine a longer life. Note: Unless you are a very skilled at taking photos, it is very hard to photograph these beautiful bottles without capturing the reflection of the surroundings as well! Nevertheless, these bottles are very classy and the contents are golden!
Despite the fact that these bubbles did not stay around long in my house, Il Vino Dei Poeti, as well as both Bottega Gold Prosecco and Bottega Rose Gold Prosecco demonstrate excellent perlage, or the ability to retain its effervescence. Bottega Gold Proseccos are trendy, deliciously refreshing and worth their weight in gold. These sparkling wines will definitely get a party started, take any celebration to the next level and make anyone feel special whenever they are consumed. Go for the gold.
Photo Credit: Bottega SpA
About The Wining Hour
The Wining Hour writes about wine, Italy and global travel. The Wining Hour boutique caters to wine-lovers across the globe by offering all wine-related items. The Wining Hour markets unique wine décor and furnishings, accessories, glassware, barware, wine racks, storage and cooling options, games, gifts and more. The Wining Hour also hosts #WiningHourChat on Twitter (@wininghourchat) on Tuesday’s at 9 p.m. EST.(For more, see links at the top of this page)
Planted, harvested and aged in NY. I have a background in education and marketing, with a love and passion for travel...and all things wine. In addition to writing about wine, I also maintain an online wine boutique (thewininghour.com) that caters to the winelover, as well as the weekly vinous winechat (#WiningHourChat) on Twitter (see page for more info).
My first experience with Bottega SpA was in Italy, of course. I had the pleasure of tasting Il Vino Dei Poeti, and this is, by far, one of the best Proseccos I’ve ever tasted. According to Bottega SpA, “Vino dei Poeti is a name that evokes the way poets, artists and art lovers raise their glasses to toast the joy of being alive and drink their beloved light, fragrant sparkling wine.” Exactly. This prosecco transports me to Italy with every sip. There is no question that this is a high quality prosecco. Glera grapes are picked in cases by hand to produce this wine. The must is extracted via soft pressing. Following is “static decantation and fermentation with selected yeasts coming from the production area. Second fermentation (usually with must and wine) in autoclave occurs according to the Charmat method at a temperature of 14-15° C. The wine is then cold stabilized at a temperature of -3° C and finally filtered and bottled.”
Bottega Gold Prosecco DOC
Bottega’s Rose Gold Prosecco is a spumante made from Pinot Nero grapes. Those who love rosé or bubbly rosé will love this one. As Bottega harvests manually, these grapes are hand picked and vinified at a controlled temperature. Typical when making rosé or other skin-fermented wines, the skins stay in contact with the must for 24 hours. Then the must and skins are then separated by soft pressing and followed by fermentation. The year after the harvest, second fermentation occurs in steel containers.
