5 Favorite On-Trend Italian Sparklers
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A boom in the popularity of sparkling and sweet wines like Prosecco and Moscato d’Asti is being credited to the millenials and their sweet tooths. Reuters reports that Americans are drinking more Italian sparklers than the Italians themselves.
It’s not so shocking, really. Moscato has enjoyed a huge boom in popularity over the last few years, particularly among hip-hop fans, as it’s made cameos in songs from Lil’ Kim (in 2005) to Trey Songz and Drake (in 2009) to Nicki Minaj and Ciara (2013).
But according to an Italian wine rep quoted in the Reuters article, ”It is Prosecco that is driving sales right now. It was pulled in by Moscato.”
No surprise there. Sparkling wines, especially Prosecco, are awesome (and awesomely flexible). Here are five Italian bubblies we think you should know about and be drinking right now. Each costs $15 or less, so you need not break the bank, as Drake suggests, by pairing it with “lobster and shrimp.”
Unless, you know, you want to.
Lambrusco, slightly sweet and fizzy, is an excellent introduction to Italian sparklers. This one is a warm-weather favorite, and its stone fruit notes make it ideal for prosciutto and charcuterie platters.
There’s nothing like a slightly drier Lambrusco with a slice of pizza, which vino cognoscenti know is a match made in heaven. This is a favorite of one editor at her go-to Brooklyn pie joint.
Drusian Spumante Brut Prosecco, $15
A classic Prosecco is always in style, and this lemony one won a taste-off among Italian wine experts.
Elio Perrone Sourgal Moscato d’Asti, $12
"Just look for the orange on the bottle!" a wine shop owner told us once. Perrone is a renowned name among Moscato aficionados. Slightly sweet, with effervescent bubbles, this is a divine pairing with panna cotta.
Paolo Saracco Moscato d’Asti, $11
Made by a fourth-generation Italian vintner in Italy’s Piedmont region, this Moscato is loaded with notes of peach, pear and apricot, and is a great dessert wine. Pair it with strawberries or chocolates.
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What makes a cocktail even better? Why, a bit of sparkling wine in the mix, but of course:
