Prosecco
2016 Gold: 2 Silver: 5 Bronze: 3 Commended: 8
2015 Gold: 2 Silver: 3 Bronze: 8 Commended: 8
Prosecco, interestingly, seems to have achieved what Pinot Grigio hasn’t: it’s loved by consumers but also tolerated by the on-trade, who actually (whisper it) quite like its fun, frothiness and RS-enhanced fruit. A bit like having a soft spot for a lop-eared mongrel.
Moreover, on this evidence, they don’t mind spending a bit extra to get the good stuff. Whereas in past years the prices have tended to top-out at around the £10 mark, this year the Bisol Cartizze was a significant step up in terms of ambition – and universally popular.
Well done to Soligo, by the way, for its second place on the Gold List in two years, with Col de Mez following on from the Valdobbiadene in 2015, and for its By The Glass Trophy.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘Even in a French restaurant there is still demand for prosecco – especially from ladies at lunchtime.’
Sarah Guignard, The French Table
‘These are simple, happy wines and the medal winners ticked all the boxes. You have to have a prosecco – some people prefer it to champagne.’ Jade Koch, team leader
‘Prosecco is a real alternative to champagne – you see a lot of it at events, especially. It’s a good alternative.’ Joaquin Alba, Aramark at JP Morgan
‘The proseccos from Valdobbiadene were quite consistent – a good flight. They were trying to drive more interest.’ Andrea Briccarello, team leader
‘All of the medal winners were different in style, but still well made technically. In the past I’ve found [a lot of] badly made prosecco, but these are clean and precise.’ Tomasz Kuszneruk, Plateau Restaurant