A glamorous newcomer to the local wine scene is an import from Italy made in the frizzante style, slightly sparkling, petillant, crackling, to use various terms for this type of wine.
The new arrival is Bellussi Prosecco, Bellussi being the producer and prosecco the grape. Bellussi is a farm in the Valdobbiadene region north of Venice. Prosecco is a late-ripening, delicate white wine grape which is grown extensively in this area and is often used for making sparkling and frizzante wines.
The Bellussi Prosecco is light and dry and slightly sparkling, with a hint of pear in the taste. The bubbles are created by the Charmat method, in which wines are fermented in sealed tanks and drawn off into the bottle under pressure, a process which is less time-consuming and less costly that the traditional methode champenoise (called methode Cap Classique in South Africa).
Technicalities aside, the Bellussi Prosecco is a really attractive drink, fresh, tingling and with a low alcohol content, 12 percent (compared with about 12,5 percent for most white wines), and low calories. It comes in an eye-catching black bottle with gold lettering and has a distinctly festive air, just the thing for weddings and other celebrations.
