Fall in Love with Prosecco This Fall

Do You Know Glera? 

Prosecco is actually another name for the grape variety Glera.  In order to be classified as Prosecco, the wine must be composed of  a minimum of 85% Glera. Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Perera, Verdiso, and Bianchetta Trevigiana can be used for the additional 15%. Chardonnay and Pinot Nero can also be used. The area allowed to produce Prosecco has been enlarged to Slovenian border around 60 miles further east than original zone.

Glera was originally known as Prosecco. The name Glera, came about to help alleviate confusion between the grape and the town and DOC of Prosecco.  Glera, an Italian indigenous variety, is a parent variety of two red grape Manzoni varieties. Glera grapes are thin-skinned and are found in huge clusters.  The large amount of terepenes found within the grape provide the tell-tale aromatics of Prosecco. Glera is a cool climate vine and is fairly hardy and productive. It is considered to be a late ripening variety and requires a long hang time in moderately dry, hillside microclimates. You can expect wine that is high in acid and low in alcohol.

Fall Thoughts 

I love Fall! The changing of the leaves, the crisp air that somehow always smells cleaner to me and cleanses my lungs, and of course pumpkin spice everything! I know I’m not alone in this feeling because if you Google Fall, you are bombarded with Fall quotes and pumpkin recipes. Some of my favorite quotes are: 

Fall Foods

It is impossible for me to go to a restaurant and see pumpkin or butternut squash anything on the menu and not order it. Unfortunately, or fortunately however you want to look at it, these ingredients are not too common unless it is late September through November. I have to get my fix when I can! 

Over the years, I have found some recipes that allow me to get my pumpkin on! One of my all time favorites is Creamy Pumpkin Pasta Bake.  

Another fall favorite is Pumpkin Spice Tacos. 

A Final Suggestion for Pumpkin Heaven is Pumpkin Gnocchi with Brown Butter Sauce.

Prosecco and Pumpkin

Fall calls for family and friends. Now that your mind is in the right place with the Fall quotes, and your belly is full with exquisite recipes, I have a suggestion for a drink to please your crowd! 

Nino Franco  was founded in 1919 and is one of the oldest wineries in Valdobbiadene. They were on the forefront of wineries exporting their Prosecco. Now in their 4th generation of ownership, Nino Franco produces six wines. In honor of Fall, they created a “cocktail” that screams sweater weather perfection starring their Rustico Valdobbiadene Prosecco (SRP: $19). In the older days, Rustico use to be made using a short second fermentation in bottle, leaving sediment in the bottle. Today, the technique has changed, but neither the name nor quality has. 

~Sláinte!