A ‘Slow’ Wining Hour with Asolo Prosecco

Slow Wine is a movement that focuses specifically on wine production and consumption, advocating for a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to winemaking and wine appreciation. Each year, a Slow Wine Guide is published, highlighting wineries and regions that are in harmony with the philosophy. Slow Wine incorporates certain components, including an emphasis on quality, sustainability, local and artisanal production, transparency, wine education and collaboration. Asolo Prosecco, for example, is one region that truly embodies the Slow Wine Movement.

Asolo

Asolo, appropriately known as the Pearl of Treviso, is a picturesque town located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Asolo is also home to the elegant Asolo Prosecco wine appellation.

Asolo Prosecco is a highly regarded sparkling wine known for its quality and distinctive characteristics, which are attributed to the unique terroir and microclimate of the Colli Asolani. These hills are quite steep and, indeed, involve hand-harvested, heroic viticulture. Prosecco Superiore DOCG is made primarily from the Glera grape (85%). However, additional local grape varieties, such as Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, and Verdiso, are also permitted in small proportions, adding complexity to the wine. Asolo Prosecco is crafted using the Charmat (tank) method, which involves a secondary fermentation in stainless steel tanks. This method preserves the freshness and fruitiness of the wine, resulting in a lively and aromatic Prosecco with fine bubbles.

In accordance with Slow Wine philosophy, Asolo Prosecco producers emphasize quality winemaking practices over mass production. Instead, the producers focus on producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique characteristics of their terroir and grape varieties.  Additionally, they attempt to minimize the ecological footprint and preserve the health of the land with environmentally sustainable practices in the vineyard and winery, such as organic and biodynamic farming, minimal intervention winemaking, and biodiversity conservation. 

While attending the latest Slow Wine Tour in New York, I was able to attend the “It’s A Completely Different Story” seminar, hosted by the Asolo Prosecco Consorzio. The seminar provided a good overview of the region, its characteristics, and the production method. It also featured six wines, which enabled participants to truly experience the Asolo Prosecco difference. The Asolo difference is quite evident, by means of the vibrant citrus and orchard fruit, along with the crispness and freshness of the wines, all well-balanced, with fine perlage. Here’s what was poured:

1. Montelvini 2022 Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Sui Lieviti Il Brutto  Montelvini Winery is certified sustainable. They practice environmental and economic sustainability. The winery received the “Il Sole 24 Ore” Industria Felix award, which is only awarded to companies with the highest management performance, including reliability and financial sustainability.This particular prosecco has undergone a secondary fermentation in the bottle, as opposed to the fermentation tank. ‘Sui Lieviti’ is Italian for “on the lees.”  2 g/l of residual sugar and 11% ABV. 
2. Bresolin Bio  2022 Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut Benny Bresolin Bio is certified organic and part of FIVI, the Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers. “This means that we know everything about our grapes, we follow the entire process, from the vine growing to the sale of the bottle. We are winegrowers who love to work the land among the rows of the Asolo DOCG, a land that fully reflects us.” Benny, named after a family member, is 4 g/l residual sugar. 11.5% ABV.
3. Villa Sandi NV Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut   Villa Sandi has been a family owned winery for three generations. Their estates extend in the renowned DOC and DOCG areas between the regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Villa Sandi is certified biodynamic and practices sustainable farming, including the use of solar panels and hydroelectricity. Intense fruit aromas, white peach. This wine is very well structured. 12 g/l of sugar. Elegant with a clean finish.  11% ABV.
4. Bele Casel 2022 Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry   Siblings Luca and Paola produce fantastic Asolo Prosecco in the hills of Monfumo. Bele Casel is a certified organic vineyard with red, iron-rich soils.  This wine is fermented with no filtration or added sulfites and aged in steel tanks for at least 5 months before the second (spontaneous) fermentation (Martinotti method). 5.3 g/l. sugar. 11% ABV 
5. Giusti Wine 2022 Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry  Giusti “is a staunch supporter of vine-growing that respects both the environment and the beautiful surrounding countryside.” The winery is certified sustainable. This prosecco comes from three vineyard estates in Montello. The soils are red clay and iron-rich. Notes of green apple,white pear, spring flowers and crisp minerality. This wine has16 g/l of residual sugar and 11.5% ABV. 
6. Le Terre 2022 Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG Dry  Le Terre Asolo Prosecco is lovely as an aperitif or paired with seafood and desserts. It’s a great celebratory wine with 24 g/l of residual sugar and 11% ABV.

This seminar provided a great way to celebrate and learn about artisanal winemakers who are deeply connected to their land and communities. Asolo Prosecco is a great representation of exceptional quality, sustainability and craftsmanship—the very essence of Slow Wine.

Discover more about Slow Wine: A Journey Through Artisanal Craftsmanship

Discover more about Asolo Prosecco, A Completely Different Story