What do Prosecco DOC wines and today’s top NBA players have in common? According to their promoters, with the start of the NBA season coming up, Prosecco DOC is a game changer for the occasion! Since I am a big fan of both, I thought I would give it a try.
Valdo Prosecco DOC Marca Ora Brut NV x Kevin Durant
The Valdo Winery is located in the town of Valdobbiadene in the heart of the sub-region Conegliano Prosecco di Valdobbiadene DOCG, in Veneto, Italy. The winery was founded in 1926 by the Society Anonima Vini Superiori and purchased by the Bolla Family in 1938.
Made from 100% Glera. The vineyards are at 80 meters and the training system is the traditional “Metodo Spalliera,” where the stems can be as long as one meter and are tied to a horizontal wire. Grapes are hand picked during the last week of September. Soft pressing and fermentation occur at 64F in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. To obtain small and fine bubbles (perlage) a selection of natural yeasts is made. There is 3 months of Charmat-Martinotti aging, followed by 3 months in bottle before release. This is a sparkling wine with hints of peach, melon, pear and golden apple. $14.99
The name Valdo is short for the name of the region, Valdobbiadene. Sergio Bolla, one of the founders, wanted to make his Prosecco more accessible and easy to understand. He shortened the name so that people could recognize it easily and remember it. Thanks to Sergio Bolla his Prosecco was known in the US starting in the 1950’s.
Valdo Marca Oro is a standout Prosecco DOC, crafted with the finest selection of Glera grapes harvested in the Veneto and Friuli regions. The crisp and harmonious taste of Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC mirrors the smooth, effortless style of Kevin Durant’s game. Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC Brut is sure to shine just as bright as KD on the court, complimenting the game whenever you tune in.
*****
La Marca Prosecco DOC x Lebron James
Founded more than 40 years ago, La Marca is a cooperative representing 5,000 local vine growers who farm more than 17,000 acres in the Veneto region in Northern Italy. It is made from 100% Glera grapes.
The wine is named for the La Marca Trevigina zone in the heart of the Prosecco region. Grapes are selected from small vineyards throughout the Prosecco DOC. After harvest, the grapes are crushed and pressed in gentle membrane presses. The juice is allowed to cold settle before initial fermentation in upright stainless steel tanks at a maximum temperature of 65°F. The still wine is aged on its lees prior to secondary fermentation. It has hints of fresh citrus, honey and grapefruit with mineral undertones. $17.99
As one of the most recognizable Prosecco DOC brands worldwide, La Marca is known for consistent quality with a crisp, refreshing style that has a broad appeal. Likewise, LeBron is a household name with a long track record of consistency at the highest level. Both names are synonymous with sustained success, and with that in mind, what better way to watch LeBron and the Lakers this season than with a star-studded glass of La Marca Prosecco DOC Extra Dry in hand?
Brilla! Prosecco DOC Rosé x Anthony Edwards
Made from 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Nero. The soil is clay and sandstone. The first fermentation retakes the characteristic pink base for the future sparkling wine. The second fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using the Charmat method at a controlled temperature of 14-15 C with a prolonged storage on the lees for a total of 60 days. Once the wine has reached the required pressure, alcohol and sugar levels, it is chilled and cold stablized at -2/-3C, filtered and checked before bottling. This is a wine with hints of peach, green apple, lemon. and floral notes of roses with balanced acidity. 11% alcohol.$19.99.
Brilla! Prosecco DOC Rosé (extra dry) embodies the spirit of celebration with its lively, refreshing character and balanced acidity. Similarly, Anthony Edwards has quickly become one of the NBA’s rising stars, electrifying the court with his dynamic athleticism and charismatic presence. Brilla! Prosecco DOC Rosé brings a sparkling burst of energy to any occasion and is sure to turn heads.
Prosecco DOC
Prosecco is the biggest selling sparkling wine in Italy today. It outsells Champagne in the UK, and sales of Prosecco increase every year in the United States. Prosecco is produced exclusively in the area of northeast Italy between the Dolomites and the Adriatic Sea. The production takes place in two regions, the Veneto and Friuli Venezia-Giulia in 9 provinces.
Prosecco DOC must be made with at least 85% Glera grapes with the addition of Verdiso, Bianchetta, Trevigana, Petera and Gela Lunga. Prosecco Superiore Spumante may also contain up to 15% of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero and Chardonnay.
Most sparking Prosecco is made using the “Charmat Method” in an autoclave (pressurized tank). For “metodo classico,” it is also permitted to carry out the second fermentation in the bottle.
The speaker was Matteo Bolla, Development Manager for Valdo USA, Inc. and the third generation of the renowned Bolla winemaking family involved in the winery.
The name Valdo is short for the name of the region, Valdobbiadene. Sergio Bolla, Matteo’s grandfather, wanted to make his Prosecco more accessible and easy to understand. He shortened the name so that people could recognize it easily and remember it. Thanks to his grandfather the Bolla name was known in the US starting in the 1950”s
Valdo “Cuvée 1926” Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry DOC made from 90% Glera and 10% Chardonnay from vineyards at 250 meters. There is a brief maceration on the skins in a closed press, followed by a soft pressing with the first of the free run juice. After the first fermentation the wine remains for two months on the lees at a control temperature of 10C in steel. After the bottle fermentation the wine spends 3 months in pressurized tanks (Martinotti-Charmat method). The wine has hints of ripe fruit, apple, pear, pineapple and a touch of banana.
Valdo “Numero 10” Metodo Classico Valdobbiadene DOCG 2019, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2011 made from 100% Glera. This is a metodo classico vintage sparkling wine. The grapes are grown on the hills surrounding the historic Valdobbiadene winery and are designated with the appellation “Superiore.”
This classic method vintage Brut is produced by bottle fermentation remaining on the lees for at least 10 months. After disgorgement it is aged for another 6 months in the cellar. Matteo said this maximizes the fruity aroma typical of the grape variety. The wine has hints of mature fruit, apple, pear brioche, a note of honey and a touch of orange zest with bright acidity.