The Italian sparkle

PROSECCO: MEDITERRANEAN BUBBLY OUTSELLS CHAMPAGNE

South Africans can share in this flavour sensation with grappa to boot.

champagne and hello to prosecco.

South Africa as a wine-producing country has no shortage of sparkling wines, but prosecco’s international appeal means Italy-based Bottega has for a decade filled the gap for those in favour, or is it flavour, of Italian sparkle by importing those bottles of dry white bubbles.

Distilleria Bottega is located at Bibano di Godega, a short left from from Venice in Italy. This area is known as the prosecco- growing region and the throbbing heart of the tradition of grappa. Bottega gets all its flavour from the 30 hectares of vineyards it has here.

Importing this well-established international brand into South Africa was the brainchild of Franco Vignazia, director of Profumi D’Italia Marketing in South Africa, in 2005. He was joined by his daughter Giuliana Abrahamse in June 2008. A traditional Italian family business was born, with all the passion and fire focused on sourcing premium quality Italian grappa and prosecco. At the end of the day Bottega became their bread and butter.

Vignazia and Abrahamse spent time introducing South Africans to the world of Italian grappa, its digestive benefits and unique ways of serving. The wine-based pomace brandy has a full spectrum of appeal ranging from pure Alexander Grappa, Bottega Chocolate Grappa Liqueurs and fruit grappa on top of their list of prosecco.

Abrahamse is proud of what they have managed to accomplish, and attributes brand appeal as well as a touch of affordability. Some of their prosecco range is available for around R200 at a good restaurant. In fact, compared with the somewhat sweet South African sparkling wines, those who like their bubbles more Brut will be lining up outside the door.