Stelo Italian Wine

This variety may have originated around the Friulian town of Trieste, which lies on the border between north-eastern Italy and Slovenia, where it is known as Glera. From there, it spread to the Venetian zone of Colli Euganei, where it is called Serprina. It then spread to north-eastern Venetia, where it is most commonly known as Prosecco. Its DOC production zone in this area includes fifteen communes, of which Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are the best known. Prosecco can be extra dry (the most classic and widespread version), brut (more modern and of international taste) dry (agreeable, whose most important production is Superiore di Cartizze). The sparkling version is made by a refermentation in autoclave exalting its varietal aromas and freshness; so Prosecco is very drinkable and delightful. This method, named Italian, was introduced in the production of Prosecco Spumante at the end of the nineteenth Century by the Scuola Enologica of Conegliano. Sparkling Prosecco is the aperitif of choice in the Venetia. Vineyards in the tiny area of Cartizze (near Valdobbiadene) constitute a premium sub-zone. Generally speaking, the wines of Cartizze are somewhat richer than other Proseccos. When having a minimum alcohol level of 11,5%, they may be labelled ‚iSuperiore di Cartizze‚i, produced in the dry version. Prosecco is also the principal variety in the unusual Colli di Conegliano Torchiato di Fregona. This passito wine must have a minimum alcohol level of 16° and be aged for thirteen months before being released on the market. The vineyards which produce grapes for this wine lie within the communes of Fregona, Sarmede, and Cappella Maggiore. Pale greenish straw in colour, with green apple and lightly floral perfumes, which carry through on the palate. The slightly sweeter style lends a depth and attractive complexity to the wine.