Searching for our Souls – Searching for Prosecco

It is strange. In Italy we drink Prosecco 4-5 times a week. Here in the US we rarely drink Prosecco. We are the same people, little has changed except our geographic location and that Raffaella is working in the wine business, something she has long desired. We also do not stop at the bar after work for Aperitivo but we do Crostini and Bruschetta at home. There is still room for Prosecco. This is a period of great decisions for us; it is a moment to evaluate the choices we have made and what we want our future to look like. As we reflect, thoughts of our Italian lifestyle are confronted with the world we live in today and we wonder why our environment has influenced who we are.

We realized that we just have not been inspired by the Prosecco we find in our usual watering holes. The minutes of the cell phone are quickly consumed and emails burn. A great Prosecco at a reasonable price must be available. The bottles arrive. Some not available in Dallas others from local shops but all 100% DOC Prosecco. This must be an everyday wine. It must be something between 10 and 30 dollars.

Our dream, a glass of Prosecco in hand as we sit in the pool, cooling ourselves on a hot Dallas evening. Crostini and bruschetta warming in the wood fired oven under the balcony. It is not the Amalfi coast or the shores of Sicily. The vongole are not as fresh as in Napoli and the steak grilling is definitely not the Carne Chianina but the Prosecco takes us home.

For some reason Prosecco is not truly appreciated in the US. It is seen as cheap cousin of Champagne. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Prosecco is marvelously acidic, bubbly with only about 11% alcohol. The desire for the refreshing characteristics of Prosecco rises with the temperature. I do not expect the air-conditioned proletarians to understand. Prosecco is for connoisseurs, wealthy or not. It is the mint julep in the hot summers of Savannah with the sweet perfume of Eucalyptus.

So the bottles of Prosecco are there, waiting to be consumed. Each bottle a story, a dream to be discovered. Montesel, Bisol, Aneri, Casalnova and Foss Marai are the vectors of our voyage into the unknown of our dreams and desires.


Tags: Prosecco White Wine Italian Wine Veneto Sparkling Wine Sommelier Food and Wine Travel Italy