You can now buy a rosé Prosecco at Lidl and it costs next to nothing
Beautiful bottle, delicious fizz and a cheerful colour: Lidl is selling a rosé version of the famous Italian sparkling wine — and believe me: there’s a very good chance you’ll want to drink this pink Prosecco all summer long.
We all know rosé Champagne, but rosé Prosecco didn’t exist for a long time. Pretty strange, really, considering that for years a dizzying number of Prosecco bottles have been shipped all over the world (for reference: we’re talking at least 600 million (!) a year — almost twice as much as Champagne) and that rosé Prosecco wasn’t produced until a few years ago.
Because pink sparkling wine isn’t just incredibly cheerful and delicious; it’s also hugely popular. Rosé Champagne and rosé Cava have been around for ages. Good news for Prosecco lovers who enjoy rosé wine: a few years ago, the Italian Ministry of Agriculture approved the production of a pink version of the cheerful Italian sparkling wine.
Glera, slightly odd name
Just as Champagne can only be called Champagne if it comes from Champagne, Prosecco also has a protected designation of origin (DOC). Prosecco DOC may be produced in five provinces of Veneto and four provinces of Friuli. You may have come across a Prosecco that didn’t come from one of these areas — confusing! That was because Prosecco was made from the grape of the same name. So, to prevent this confusion slash misleading, prosecco, the grape, underwent a name change and has been known as ‘glera’ since 2009.
Although it sounds more like a sexually transmitted disease (“Hey, hi, yes, it was really fun the other day, but I’m calling because, um… I have, um… Glera…”) than a cheerful little grape, it turned out to be a smart move to curb the proliferation of Prosecco and separate the wheat from the chaff. Sparkling wine made from the glera grape can also be produced elsewhere, but the name Prosecco may only be used for wine originating from the designated area.
So much for wine education — on to Lidl!
Rosé Prosecco at Lidl
There’s currently a beautiful rosé Prosecco on the shelf there. The pale pink colour is particularly striking. Wondering how pink Prosecco gets its rosy colour? From pinot noir grapes, of which 10 to 15 percent must be used. Also noteworthy: the term ‘Millesimato’ on the label, which means vintage; the complete blend (of glera and pinot noir) in the bottle must come from a single vintage/harvest year.
Many Prosecco DOCs are NV (non-vintage), meaning the blend may come from different years. This has the advantage that the winemaker can ensure the style/taste is the same every year, whereas Millesimato Prosecco can vary from vintage to vintage — albeit quite subtly.
For every party
Prosecco fans know: their favourite fizz is fruity, lively and fresh. A glass of freshly opened Prosecco smells wonderfully of swaying spring blossoms. Add aromas of citrus and green apples, combined with the frivolous bubbles and light character, and you have the ideal wine for a summer afternoon in the park or as a welcome drink at a party. And if it’s rosé-coloured too, it’s a complete celebration!
Lidl’s rosé Prosecco has fruity strawberry notes and isn’t too dry, with a soft fizz — perfect for those who love the taste of classic Prosecco but want to try something new.
Rosé Prosecco at the table
Of course, rosé Prosecco is delicious on its own, but you can also eat all kinds of things with it. How about rosé Prosecco with tuna steak, whether barbecued or not, or with a dessert featuring red fruit such as raspberries and strawberries; sublime! Also fantastic: with a chunk of dark chocolate. Great for the Easter table too.
Drink up, that rosé!
Lidl’s rosé Prosecco costs just under seven euros.
