An Aperol Spritz is only as good as the prosecco you make it with – here are five that nail the brief.
When it comes to picking a prosecco to add to an Aperol Spritz, it’s really about what’s going to help you fulfil your Italian holiday fantasies, right? And what’s going to make that Spritz taste molto delizioso. Traditionally, Italians opt for a brut (meaning dry or less sweet) prosecco so the Spritz isn't too sweet. This is because Italian aperitifs (drinks consumed before a meal) are traditionally bitter rather than sweet. The idea is to stimulate the palate before the meal, and there’s enough flavour in an Aperol Spritz – while remaining nice and light – to do just that.
Then there’s the question of price. Do you simply opt for the cheapest bottle available? You’re going to be mixing it anyway, right? Not quite. The wine makes up around half the drink, so you’ll want to choose something you actually enjoy the taste of, but we wouldn’t go with the most expensive drop either.
To help you out in your spritzing endeavours, we’ve pulled together a list of proseccos that make the perfect addition to any Aperol Spritz. So if you’re planning on whipping up a round of cheeky cocktails to kick off your dinner party this weekend, then add one (or all) of these to your cart. Saluti!
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1. Vigneti del Sole Prosecco Frizzante
A delicate, floral fizzy number with hints of apple is the best way to describe this fun prosecco from Vigneti del Sole – a renowned North Italian producer. The prosecco grapes undergo fermentation after light maceration on the skins at a controlled temperature before the wine is filtered and racked in stainless steel tanks for secondary fermentation to obtain fine bubbles with the help of carefully selected yeasts. Those were a lot of wine words to say ‘this prosecco is fabulous’. Where is it most at home? In your Aperol Spritz, of course.
2. Porta Dante Organic Prosecco
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3. Pizzolato Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Graceful, sweet and aromatic sums up this organic and vegan-certified prosecco of exceptional origins. ‘Prosecco Superiore DOCG’ is an official designation, certifying not only that this bottle was produced in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the hills of Valdobbiadene (the home of prosecco, at the heart of Italy’s Veneto region), but it’s also one of the highest-quality expressions you’ll find. It’s light and elegant with a bright straw colour, while aromas of ripe pear and bitter almond carry over to the palate. When you’re not mixing this in your Aperol Spritz, try it on its own with appetisers or a fish-based main.
4. De Bortoli Prosecco King Valley
Given Australians love a good Aperol Spritz, it’s no surprise we produce some great prosecco right here on our home soil – like De Bortoli’s Prosecco heralding from Victoria’s King Valley. De Bortoli, and many of the grape-growing families in the region, actually originated from Northern Italy, so when it comes to prosecco, they know what they’re doing. Fun fact about this drop: the fruit is harvested in the cool of the night to achieve a balance of freshness and acidity. It tastes like apple, pear and fresh lemon, and it’s delish in any kind of Spritz.
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5. Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Another ‘Prosecco Superiore’, Santa Margherita’s Valdobbiadene Prosecco is an absolute steal – this is true value for money. The grapes used to craft this sprightly vino are grown on some of the steepest hills in Italy, meaning they benefit from better drainage and sun exposure before being carefully hand-harvested. Expect a very fine, persistent bead (AKA bubbles) and flavours of ripe stone fruit, melon and citrus. Yum.
