Asolo Prosecco

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG

DOCG 2009 - Mount Grappa foothills, Caterina Cornaro Queen of Cyprus 1489, UNESCO candidate medieval town, 24M bottles

Region profile

History

1489 Caterina Cornaro, last Queen of Cyprus (ruled 16 years), granted Asolo as domain by Venetian Republic after abdication. Transformed into flourishing Renaissance court of art and philosophy attracting brightest minds. Medieval Asolo became "City of Hundred Horizons" - UNESCO World Heritage candidate. Asolo Consortium founded 1985. DOCG status June 2009 (also known as "Colli Asolani" until 2014 name change). Production exploded 2013-2022: 2 million → 24 million bottles. Unique terroir at Monte Grappa foothills preserved quality despite growth.

Climate
Mediterranean breezes by day, cold mountain winds by night from Monte Grappa; significant day-night temperature variation; mild climate conducive to complex flavors; south-facing slopes at Dolomites foothills; west of Piave River; vineyards occupy 6% of total surface; 5,500 acres Glera (no new plantings allowed)
Signature wines
Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Glera 85%+, metodo italiano, complex flavors, structured, preserved acidity); fresher more structured than standard Prosecco; notable producers: Bele Casel, producers at Monte Grappa foothills
What sets it apart
Caterina Cornaro Queen of Cyprus 1489 Renaissance court; UNESCO candidate medieval town "City of Hundred Horizons"; Mount Grappa foothills terroir; significant day-night temperature variation (Mediterranean breezes + mountain cold winds); 24M bottles (2M in 2013 - 12x growth); DOCG 2009 (formerly Colli Asolani until 2014); 5,500 acres Glera (no new plantings allowed); vineyards 6% of surface; fresher more structured than standard Prosecco; extended gradual ripening

Facts

  • 24 million bottles annually (up from 2M in 2013)
  • DOCG June 2009
  • formerly "Colli Asolani" until 2014
  • Asolo Consortium founded 1985
  • 5,500 acres Glera (no new plantings allowed)
  • vineyards 6% of total surface
  • 20,000ha Asolo hills + Montello plain
  • foot of Monte Grappa
  • west of Piave River
  • south-facing slopes
  • significant day-night temperature variation
  • UNESCO candidate medieval town