Discover Sparkling Italian White Wines

You’re probably familiar with Prosecco, the sparkling white wine that’s integral to the Apérol Spritz, the quintessential cocktail of beaches and terraces. But did you know that there are other Italian bubbles with characteristics as diverse as an antipasti platter?

Let’s start with Prosecco. Produced in the northeast of Italy, between the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, this Italian white wine is made using the Charmat method. What’s that? This sparkling wine, made from the Glera grape, undergoes its second fermentation in a pressurized tank rather than in a bottle like Champagne. However, there are many variations of Prosecco. For example, it can be more or less sparkling. In Italian, these levels are distinguished by the terms spumante and frizzante.

Spumante is a highly sparkling wine that tickles the taste buds and is enjoyed chilled as an aperitif. On the other hand, frizzante is finer, more complex, and versatile. It pairs well with seafood, summer salads, risotto, or even pizza. If you're looking for a high-end Prosecco, the Conegliano Valdobbiadene designation is worth seeking out.

Prosecco has a generous and sweet aromatic profile, with notes of green apples, pears, apricots, melons, and white flowers.

Franciacorta is a sparkling white wine from the region of the same name in southern Lombardy. This wine shares some key elements with Champagne. Not only is it made using the traditional method, but it is also produced from Champagne grapes such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc (though the latter is less common in Champagne today). Franciacorta, elegant and delicate, comes in three variations. The Spumante Bianco features notes of dried fruits, brioche, and citrus, while the Rosé is bright and structured. The Satèn, a Blanc de Blancs made from Chardonnay, offers a more delicate effervescence and a silky texture.

Additionally, Franciacorta ages well, with the Riserva or Millésime versions being particularly noteworthy. With its pleasant blend of citrus, white flowers, and toasted bread, Franciacorta pairs well with every stage of a meal. Whether as an aperitif, with sushi, or with soft cheeses, this wine continues to impress and is often priced more competitively than Champagne.

Moscato d’Asti is a sparkling white wine from the Piedmont region in northwest Italy. Made from unfermented Muscat grapes, it undergoes only one fermentation using the Charmat method. Moscato is fresh, sweet, and indulgent, with aromas of peach, apricot, and orange. Low in alcohol and lightly sparkling, it pairs perfectly with desserts. Check out our Australian version with Mojo Moscato.

Another Italian sparkling wine to discover is Trentodoc, produced in the Trentino region. Also made using the traditional method, Trentodoc is often compared to Champagne due to its aging on lees, which gives it remarkable complexity and finesse. It is usually composed of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Blanc and offers a range of flavors from fresh fruit to toasted bread notes.

Italy offers a rich and varied palette of sparkling white wines, each with its own characteristics and styles. Whether you’re a fan of light and fruity bubbles or more complex and elegant flavors, there’s surely an Italian sparkling wine that will meet your expectations.