Jetting off to Asolo, Italy, may be out of the question. But uncorking a bottle of this wine region’s sparkling jewel and experiencing its distinctive flavors at home don’t require a flight or a passport.
Asolo Prosecco DOCG (Photo courtesy of Villa Sandi)
A picture-perfect medieval village about an hour’s drive from Venice, Asolo is also an under-the-radar appellation in the greater Prosecco wine region in Northern Italy’s Treviso province. While Asolo Prosecco DOCG often lies in the shadow of its more famed and well-marketed sibling and neighbor, Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, the wines produced in the Asolo region are unique, elegant, and in a class unto their own, but far from inferior to other Proseccos. Its primary grape is “Glera,”––this Friulian word translates to Prosecco––an indigenous fruit in the region; however, winemakers often blend a handful of other varietals with Glera.
Providing four sweetness levels, Asolo Prosecco promises a sparkling white for every palate. Extra Brut is a bone-dry Prosecco, with 0-6 grams of residual sugar per liter, and Brut is also very dry, with up to 12 grams of residual sugar. Oddly enough, Extra Dry is not drier than the Brut; it’s fruitier yet still dry but contains 12-17 grams of residual sugar. Meanwhile, Dry is the fruitiest of the four. This aromatic sparkling wine could be considered off-dry, with 17-32 grams of residual sugar per liter.
To guide your selection, we’ve rounded up five of the best Asolo Proseccos to buy online, but we know many more lovely Venetian wines are produced in this pocket of Treviso. Saluti!
Villa Sandi Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut DOCG
Giancarlo Moretti Polegato helms this historic winery in Crocetto del Montello, with roots as far back as 1622. Set in a Palladian villa, hence the name, the winery was crowned a “Biodiversity Friend” by the World Biodiversity Association. Thus, its winemaking leaves minimal environmental impact, and one can feel responsible when purchasing it. A pour of this very drinkable Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut and you’ll notice pale gold in the glass, fine bubbles, and detect notes of grapefruit, golden apple, green pear, and a tinge of jasmine. This well-balanced bubbly is a day-to-day favorite, but it can certainly keep up with pricier sparkling wines reserved for momentous occasions. From $21.45.
Villa Sandi
Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut
This complex yet delightful wine is creamy on the palate with bright acidity. Crafted from 100% Glera, it releases a lovely bouquet of elderflower, green apple, mild citrus, ripe pear, and white peach, therefore the bottle is ideal for a daytime wine. Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut hails from old vines grown in clay soils in the Montello hills. Owned by the Palla family, Giancarlo Palla’s son and winemaker Lorenzo preserves the biodiversity of Montello, using indigenous yeast to capture the area’s mineral-rich terroir. Since Asolo Prosecco is known for its food-friendly demeanor, drink this Brut with a charcuterie platter, a Caprese salad, and fresh shellfish. From $15.99
Loredan Gasparini
Giusti Asolo Prosecco Brut
Fruit for this Asolo Prosecco flourishes in vineyards on the Montello slopes of Nervesa della Battaglia, a tiny town nestled along the banks of the Piave River. Impassioned proprietor Ermenegildo (Joe) Giusti is one of Asolo Prosecco’s largest landholders in Veneto, making him one of the region’s most notable producers. Taste his Asolo Prosecco Brut and expect citrus, melon, honeysuckle, and stone fruit mingling with herbs and floral notes. A crisp mouthfeel reveals an unfading finish of apple and pear with remarkable acidity. While the sweetness level is Brut, this wine leans on the fruitier side, ideal for an everyday bottle. This pleasant Prosecco is an outstanding pairing for sushi, but it would be equally satisfying with a goat cheese and arugula salad. From $21.00
Bele Casel Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
For Prosecco drinkers who prefer a softer wine than Brut, this Extra Dry Prosecco harvested by a third-generation family in the hills of Cornuda exudes citrus and golden apple aromas. Bubbles linger in the glass in this luscious, fizzy wine that’s a match for cheese such as camembert and aged Asiago and starters like smoked salmon pinwheels and prosciutto-wrapped dates. With a Vinous score of 90 points, you can count on a quality sparkling wine, whether you plan to quaff a glass or two as an aperitif or serve this Asolo Prosecco at your next dinner party. Bele Casel’s Asolo Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry offers excellent value as well. From $17.99.
Case Paolin Col Fondo Asolo Prosecco Superiore
Prosecco, beloved for its lightness and freshness, can indeed be savored on its own. No elaborate meal is needed, and this Asolo Prosecco is proof. It’s not classified as Extra Brut, Brut, Dry, or Extra Dry, but “Col Fondo,” which translates to “with the bottom,” meaning the sediment or lees is present. This well-balanced wine made from organic grapes is equivalent to a natural or Pét-Nat wine, so it’s a funky departure from other Asolo Proseccos. The wine is dry, cloudy in the glass, and offers myriad flavors. Yeasty notes mingle with lime, lemon, grapefruit, acacia, and slate with a sufficient dose of minerality. Case Paolin Col Fondo Asolo Prosecco Superiore is highly recommended––Wine Enthusiast awarded the wine 92 points. From $24.99
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