It wasn’t until 2008 that “Prosecco” — the Italian name for sparkling wine — was added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
Oh, Prosecco had been around for generations. But it had not yet become trendy enough in the United States for the word to be considered part of our lexicon, as I explained in this blog written that same year.
In the six years since it became okay to say “Prosecco,” things certainly have changed. Imports to the United States have doubled from 16 million bottles to 32 million bottles, the spike in popularity boosted, in large part, by millennials. Not only is that generation partying with Moscato, they’re toasting with Prosecco.
One reason, of course, is price. Prosecco tends to cost less than Champagne, the famous sparkling wine of France.
Another is flavor. Prosecco makers clearly understand that American palates also expect quality, and many have invested in state-of-the-art equipment to help ensure that their bottlings are just as consistent from year to year as their French counterparts.
Which style of sparkling wine do you prefer? Prosecco? Champagne? Perhaps sparkling wine from another region of France, known as Cremant (typically with an appellation name tagged on)? The Sparkling Wine Sampler being featured by Vinesse provides an opportunity to sample three exquisite sparklers side by side at a very reasonable price.
Earlier this year, we posted a recipe for an Italian-style risotto that’s made and pairs perfectly with Prosecco. It also matches nicely with Champagne and Cremant — a special culinary treat, particularly as the cooler autumn weather beckons.
