Spumante: Difference between revisions
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
== Use in winemaking == | == Use in winemaking == | ||
Spumante production employs various methods, with the Charmat method common in wines emphasising fresh, fruit-forward aromatics, and the traditional method favoured for wines seeking greater complexity through extended lees contact.<ref>MacNeil, ''The Wine Bible'', 3rd ed., Workman Publishing, 2022, ISBN 978-1523513540.</ref> Italian wine law allows a wide range of grape varieties depending on the region and denomination, from [[Glera]] in Prosecco to [[Moscato Bianco]] in Asti and [[Chardonnay]] or [[Pinot Noir|Pinot Nero]] in Franciacorta. | Spumante production employs various methods, with the Charmat method common in wines emphasising fresh, fruit-forward aromatics, and the traditional method favoured for wines seeking greater complexity through extended [[lees]] contact.<ref>MacNeil, ''The Wine Bible'', 3rd ed., Workman Publishing, 2022, ISBN 978-1523513540.</ref> Italian wine law allows a wide range of grape varieties depending on the region and denomination, from [[Glera]] in Prosecco to [[Moscato Bianco]] in Asti and [[Chardonnay]] or [[Pinot Noir|Pinot Nero]] in Franciacorta. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:59, 18 August 2025
Spumante (Italian: [spuˈmante]) is the legal term in Italy for a fully sparkling wine with a minimum of 3 bar pressure at 20 °C, as defined by Italian wine regulations.[1] While the word spumante in everyday Italian simply means “sparkling wine”, in a regulatory context it refers to a specific classification distinct from frizzante (semi-sparkling wine) and from the broader international category of sparkling wine.
Background
The Italian designation of spumante is governed by national wine laws and may be applied to wines produced in a variety of regions and appellations.[2] The category encompasses both wines made under Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) or Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) rules and those produced as vino spumante without geographical indication.
Characteristics
By law, spumante must exhibit a fully sparkling effervescence, with a minimum pressure of 3 bar at 20 °C.[3] The pressure is usually achieved through secondary fermentation, either in bottle (traditional method) or in tank (Charmat method). The wines may range from very dry (brut nature) to sweet (dolce), and may be white, rosé, or, less commonly, red. Common examples include Italian sparkling styles such as Prosecco Spumante and Asti Spumante.[4]
Distinction from generic sparkling wine
Internationally, “sparkling wine” refers broadly to any wine with significant carbonation, regardless of origin or legal category.[5] In contrast, spumante is a regulated Italian classification within this broader category, defined by precise production standards, pressure requirements, and labelling rules. Semi-sparkling wines with 1–2.5 bar pressure fall under the frizzante designation and cannot legally be marketed as spumante in Italy.[6]
Use in winemaking
Spumante production employs various methods, with the Charmat method common in wines emphasising fresh, fruit-forward aromatics, and the traditional method favoured for wines seeking greater complexity through extended lees contact.[7] Italian wine law allows a wide range of grape varieties depending on the region and denomination, from Glera in Prosecco to Moscato Bianco in Asti and Chardonnay or Pinot Nero in Franciacorta.
See also
References
- ↑ Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, “Definizione di vino spumante”, politicheagricole.it. (Italian)
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019, ISBN 978-1784724030.
- ↑ Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, “Definizione di vino spumante”, politicheagricole.it. (Italian)
- ↑ Italian Trade Agency, “Spumante Wines Overview”, italianwinecentral.com.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Consorzio di Tutela del Prosecco DOC, “Spumante e Frizzante: le differenze”, prosecco.wine. (Italian)
- ↑ MacNeil, The Wine Bible, 3rd ed., Workman Publishing, 2022, ISBN 978-1523513540.