A recent event for Bottega Prosecco, at Carne Constantia, transported me on a nostalgic trip back to Italy! Prosecco, for those who don’t know, is the Italian equivalent of champagne. It has become a rather popular drink worldwide and is becoming increasing trendy in South Africa.
Increasingly, Prosecco is appreciated for its Italian heritage, refreshment, elegance and everyday drinkability,” says Giuliana Abrahamse, operations and marketing director for Profumi D’Italia – South African-based importer of the Bottega range of classic Proseccos and sparkling wines. “It is versatile too and is equally good with food, throughout a meal, or on its own.”
One of our favourite things to do in Italy, was to sit at a bustling street-side bar, “people-watching” while sipping on a chilled glass of Prosecco!
Bottega Prosecco
Prosecco is an Italian sparkling white wine, made predominantly from the Glera grape cultivar. It cannot be called a Prosecco if it is not made with the Glera (Prosecco) grape. Like Champagne and Port, the name Prosecco also enjoys geographic protection under law – its production is limited to the premier winemaking region of DOC Prosecco in north east Italy. Some of the earliest records of the wine date back to the 16th century. The Bottega Prosecco wines are twice-fermented, giving them the characteristic bubbles and hints of yeast, flowers and soft summer fruit.
Tasting at Carne Constantia
Upon arrival at Carne Constantia, we were greeted with a refreshing Prosecco Spritz cocktail, which was made using Bottega Prosecco, Aperol and Soda. Our menu for the event was created by none other than well known Italian chef and Carne proprietor Georgio Nava. The Carne Collection began when the first location opened in Keerom Street in Cape Town, and has expanded to include the trendy Carne on Kloof, as well as Carne Constantia.
Our first tasting was the Bottega Millesimato Brut, which although quite dry, has a well balanced fruitiness. It is low in alcohol at only 11% and as far as pricing goes, it is extremely competitive when compared with local bubbly. The Millesimato Brut was wonderfully paired with a flavour-filled Terrine of Aubergine, Tomato and Baby Marrow.
The second tasting was the Bottega Prosecco Brut DOC, which is fruity and flowery, with scents of acacia flowers, apple, white peach and citrus fruits. Paired with a Risotto, using 7 Year Matured Rice, Bottega Prosecco Brut DOC and crispy Parma Ham, the delicate, fresh flavour of the Processo worked beautifully!
Regarded as “The Ferrari of Prosecco”, the Bottega Gold Prosecco DOCG, was our final Prosecco tasting. The golden bottle not only looks beautiful but it protects the wine from any light-source, preserving it’s aroma and freshness, giving the wine a longer lifespan. Bottega Gold is characteristically fruity, as well as being flowery, with scents of Golden apple, Williamspear, Acacia Flowers and Lily of the Valley.
Chef paired the Bottega Gold, with a Beef Spider Steak, an unusual cut of beef which I had not tasted before. Considered “Butcher’s Cut” more modernly than the Hanger, this steak is also referred to as the Oyster Steak. It is a small muscle that looks almost like a spider web, due to the striations of fat within the roundish muscle – hence the name Spider Steak. The elegant fresh flavour of the Bottega Gold Prosecco DOCG, complemented the dish perfectly.
For desert we were served a boozy Bottega Limoncino Panna Cotta, served with macerated strawberries. Bottega Limoncino is made from the peel of Sicilian lemons, which is alcohol infused. The addition of the highest quality Vento Grappa, makes for a wonderfully sweet and fragrant liquor. At 30% alcohol, it is definitely easier on the palette than some of its counterparts, which can be up to 40% proof!
Last but certainly not least, it was time for a caffè doppio {or a double espresso}, served with Bottega Gianduia. This deliciously creamy liqueur has a stunning chocolate flavour. Bottega Gianduia has a moderate alcohol content of 17% and contains Veneto Grappa and Hazelnut Cream. I do not have a sweet tooth and find many cream liqueurs overly sweet but this is a winner!
I would like to thank both Bottega and Carne SA for a wonderful afternoon and an inspired taste of Italy!
Contact Details:
For more information on Bottega products or to place an order, please visit their Website or contact them via Phone 021-554-4831, Fax 021-5545069 or Email [email protected].
Disclaimer: I enjoyed wine tasting and lunch, as a guest of Carne SA and Profumi D’Italia but I have not been paid to write this post and all opinions are my own. To see more read my full PR & Disclosure Policy below.
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