Record-breaking production for Prosecco DOC
A total of 627.5 million bottles were produced, including 71.5 million of the new Rosé version.
Meanwhile, the category has seen increasing premiumization: with a value increase of 4% for the average bottle exported.
New rosé version
Prosecco DOC wines come in Spumante (sparkling), Frizzante (semi-sparkling) and Tranquillo (still) varieties. The wines are made from mainly the Glera grape, native to North East Italy, and can be combined with a maximum of 15% of the following grapes: Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera lunga, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Nero.
Prosecco Frizzante and Spumante varieties get their bubbles using the Secondary Fermentation production method, bottled under high pressure after fermentation in bulk tanks called autoclaves, as opposed to the traditional method, which bypasses the autoclaves and is used for other sparkling wine varieties.
As of 2020, the Italian Ministry of Agriculture has allowed the production of Prosecco DOC Rosé, made from at least 85% Glera and 10-15% Pinot Nero only in the Spumante (sparkling) version and with the drier styles (from Brut Nature to Extra Dry). Prosecco DOC Rosé undergoes a longer second fermentation in the autoclaves (60 days as opposed to 30 days for Prosecco DOC).
Stefano Zanette, who became president of the Prosecco DOC Consortium in 2012, said: “After 10 exciting years, our goal is to continue to strengthen the Denomination’s success by planning the future of the entire supply chain, monitoring consumer trends, paying close attention to the territory and its communities, and actively involving the entire production system.”
He highlights ‘protection and promotion’ as the two most important areas for the Consortium. In the last few years, the Consortium has developed a global promotional campaign; but Prosecco’s popularity has also led to an increase in imitation attempts, and consequently, the fight against counterfeit Prosecco has become increasingly challenging.
“In terms of promotion the commitment is very significant,” said Luca Giavi, Director of the Prosecco DOC Consortium.
“It’s a work of connecting, as well as, I would dare to say, of translating into a language suitable for the general public. It’s also a matter of a set of values that belongs to the territory, in which we would like both the Venetian community as well as that of Friuli Venezia Giulia to come together and adhere to more deeply.
"We share universal human values such as lightness, immediacy, cordiality, conviviality, and hospitality; qualities that consumers all over the world easily recognize in our products."
The Consortium is currently working on a 2030 roadmap for the sector.
