Spumante (Italy)
Both Spumante and Frizzante are Italian for "Sparkling".
Both are wide classes used to describe different production methods.
Spumante Flavors
Typical Spumante flavors are Citrus, Apple, Pear, Pineapple, White Flowers. Herbs and Almonds.
 Lemon |
 Lime |
 Apple |
 Pear |
 Pineapple |
 Flowers |
 Herbs |
 Almonds |
Spumante Profile
Spumante wines are dry and acidic, much like Prosecco:
| SUGAR: | Dry 5g/l |
| BODY: | Light |
| FRUIT: | Low |
| ACIDITY: | High |
| ALCOHOL: | 10-12% |
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Serving temperatures: 6-8°C (43-46°F) |
Spumante Food Pairing
You can drink sparkling wine to almost everything, whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava or Italian Prosecco.
Sparkling wines pair very well with salty food, because the bubbles break up the salt in the mouth. The acidity and bubbles also pair well with rich food, creamy and oily dishes.
 Aperitif |
 Salads |
 Tapas |
 Sandwitch |
 Seafood |
 Fries |
 Egg Dishes |
 Pasta |
 Strawberries |
 Cantucci |
 Panettone |
 Soft Cheese |
Excellent Pairings
Antipasti. Sandwiches. Focaccia.
Green Salad. Asparagus. Avocado. Artichokes.
Ham and Melon. Prosciutto. Serano.
Egg Dishes. Omelette. Smoked Salmon.
French Fries. Popcorn.
Panettone. Biscuits.
Fruit Salad. Sweet Soufflés.
Figs. Chocolate. Crème Brulée.
The Ideal Glass for Spumante
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A Flute Glass has a tall and narrow bowl to emphasize the aromas of the wine. The shape also helps balance the acidity found in sparkling wines. Flutes also preserve bubbles by reducing the surface area at the top, which slows the release of carbonation, keeping a sparkling wine fizzy for longer. |
Spumante Cheese Pairing
Brie and Camembert
The creamy, buttery texture and mild flavors of Brie or Camembert pair well with Spumante's soft bubbles and fruity notes. Serve the cheese at room temperature with slices of pear or apple.
Chèvre (Goat Cheese)
The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese complement the acidity often found in Spumante, especially those made from Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc. Drizzle with a bit of honey or sprinkle with fresh herbs.
Chaource
This creamy, slightly tangy cheese enhances Spumante's gentle acidity and complements its soft bubbles. Serve with fresh berries or a touch of apricot jam.
Langres
This mild, washed-rind cheese has a creamy texture and a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with Spumante. Add a small drop of honey or serve with fresh grapes.Tomme de Savoie
This semi-hard, nutty cheese pairs beautifully with the gentle effervescence and often fruity character of Spumante. Add some dried fruits or nuts to highlight the pairing.
Italian Sparkling
In Italy, Sparkling wines are called Frizzante or Spumante.
| Frizzante Light bubbles (2.5 - 3.5 bars of pressure) |
Spumante Fully sparkling (4 - 6 bars of pressure) |
| Prosecco | Prosecco Spumante |
| Moscato d'Asti | Asti Spumante |
| Pignoletto Frizzante | Pignoletto Spumante |
| Lambrusco |
Italian Metodo Classico DOC(G)
Metodo Classico is the Italian name for wines produced the same way as Champagne.
| DOC(G) | Grapes |
|---|---|
| Trentodoc DOC (1993) | Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco |
| Franciacorta DOCG (1995) | Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero. |
| Greco di Tufo DOCG (2003) | Greco (main grape) |
| Oltrepò Pavese DOCG (2007) | Pinot Nero (main grape) |
| Alta Langa DOCG (2011) | Minimum 90 % Chardonnay + Pinot Nero |
Trentodoc was the first area in the world (after Champagne) to get a DOC for Traditional Method wines.