Prosecco
2014: Gold: 3; Silver: 5; Bronze: 7; Commended: 5
2013: Gold: 1; Silver: 5; Bronze: 5
Must-list status: 100%
Overall performance SWA 2014: B
Prosecco might have all the credibility when it comes to wine that One Direction do when it comes to music, but it’s every bit as bankable as the boy band. Yet while our judges rarely approach this flight with unalloyed whoops of joy, this year – as well as appreciating its cash-cow status – they were pleasantly surprised by what they found.
‘There was good value at both ends of the flight, and the standard was pretty good,’ said The Gilbert Scott’s Giancarlo Cuccuru. ‘You are looking for value for money at the cheaper end, but when you start to charge more you need to hand sell and this is where quality Prosecco with a little more character can come in.’
How easy it would be to charge more for Prosecco was a controversial issue.
Some wines didn’t medal because our tasters felt they would be unable to sell them. ‘The English public,’ intoned Stefano Marro of Caravaggio Restaurant, ‘is not ready to pay that kind of money for Prosecco.’
That said, the Bisol Crede at over £14 showed that some judges were more optimistic about the chances of moving ‘proseccistas’ upmarket, particularly if they were buying on style rather than just on the name.
‘People that drink it wouldn’t drink English sparkling,’ argued team leader Tom Forrest. ‘It would be too tart.’
One thing everyone was agreed on, however: don’t try to match it with food.
FOOTNOTE: for rosé prosecco, look in the Other Sparkling Rosé section
From the Tasting Teams
‘Prosecco is a must list, both as an alternative to higher quality sparkling wines, but also, increasingly, as a lighter style enjoyed in its own right. More expensive Prosecco needs a hand sell, so people aren’t disappointed that it doesn’t taste like Champagne.’ Ignacio Campos, Hawksmoor Seven Dials
‘An extra £2 means an extra £8 on a list, so that’s a big step up.’ Julien Sahut, China Tang at The Dorchester
‘If you need to offer a classic Prosecco, you are looking for a light style, maybe with a hint of stone fruit, softly sparkling, slightly peachy, rounded; a gentle style and good value for money.’ Ronan Sayburn MS, consultant