Here’s my confession: Prosecco and I have a complicated history. Nine times out of ten, I find it thin, overly sweet, and frankly forgettable—the kind of wine that’s fine for mimosas but rarely holds its own in a glass. So when three bottles from 900wine arrived at my doorstep courtesy of Erwin at De Bigondier, I’ll admit I approached them with cautious optimism at best. Would these Italian bubbles from Treviso prove me wrong?
Spoiler alert: they did. But not in the way I expected.
Why Prosecco Quality Actually Matters
Have you ever wondered why some Proseccos taste dramatically different from others? It’s not just marketing. Quality designations such as DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) represent increasingly strict production standards, from grape sourcing to winemaking methods. 900wine, based in Treviso and working from vineyards at the foot of the Dolomites, crafts its range to showcase this quality spectrum. Think of it as a masterclass in a bottle.
Gran Cuvée Blanc de Blancs (€16.99)
This entry-level sparkler blends 60% Glera with 40% Chardonnay—an interesting departure from traditional Prosecco. Right away, the nose presented sweet notes of bruised apple with a slightly chemical edge that made me hesitate. On the palate, it delivered exactly what the price suggests: fruity, fresh, but lacking the acidity and structural tension that make sparkling wines truly exciting.
I won’t sugarcoat it—the low acidity leaves this wine feeling somewhat flat and one-dimensional. However, for under €17, it does precisely what it promises: provides a perfectly acceptable aperitif that won’t embarrass you at a casual gathering. Pair it with light antipasti or use it in a spritz where other ingredients can boost complexity. It’s honest wine at an honest price, even if it doesn’t inspire poetry.
Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato (€24.99)
Now we’re entering more interesting territory. Made from 100% Pinot Noir with proper DOC classification, this rosé immediately caught my attention with its gorgeous salmon-pink hue and aromatic intensity. The nose explodes with strawberry, cherry, and raspberry, layered with distinctive Italian herbs—think sage, rosemary, even a touch of thyme that transported me straight to a Tuscan hillside.
The mousse here is noticeably finer, with a softer, rounder texture than in the first bottle. While I personally prefer sparkling wines with more structural backbone, the improved production quality is unmistakable. You can taste the care—the extended Charmat method (where secondary fermentation happens in pressurized tanks) preserves bright fruit character while developing genuine complexity. This is a Prosecco I’d happily serve with grilled seafood, herb-crusted chicken, or tangy goat cheese. The step up in quality is real and noticeable.
DOCG Valdobbiadene Millesimato (€27.99)
This is what Italian sparkling wine can achieve when everything aligns. The DOCG classification—Italy’s highest wine designation—means these Glera grapes come from the prestigious Valdobbiadene zone, where strict production standards meet superior terroir. Opening this bottle, the difference was immediately, almost shockingly apparent: refined, persistent bubbles that the Italians call perlage, exploding delicately across the palate like tiny fireworks.
The aromatics are layered and elegant—green apple, jasmine, white tea, with underlying mineral notes that speak eloquently about the land these grapes grew on. In the mouth, it’s precise and beautifully balanced, with medium acidity supporting complex fruit flavors and an exceptionally integrated mousse. This transcends the category of “good Prosecco”—it’s genuinely excellent sparkling wine that could hold its own against French counterparts costing significantly more.
At €27.99, is it pricey for Prosecco? Sure. But tasting it alongside the others, the quality justifies every euro. Serve this at 6-8°C with delicate seafood preparations, lemon-butter pasta dishes, or give it your full attention as an aperitif. It deserves respect.
Which Would I Actually Buy?
Tasting these three wines side-by-side proved something valuable: quality classifications and production methods aren’t just abstract wine-geek concepts—they create tangible differences you can genuinely taste and appreciate. Even the entry-level Gran Cuvée delivers acceptable quality for casual occasions, while the DOCG Valdobbiadene transforms skeptics (like me) into believers.
My heartfelt thanks go to Erwin Dragt at De Bigondier for sending these bottles and challenging my Prosecco prejudices. Erwin’s passion for curating quality wines rather than overwhelming customers with endless options means his selections carry real weight. As his website philosophy states: “With time and attention, we create memories never to be forgotten.” Whether you’re exploring Prosecco or browsing his carefully chosen Italian wines, specialty coffee, and BBQ seasonings, you’re benefiting from someone who genuinely cares about what ends up in your glass.
Curious about these 900wine Proseccos? Visit De Bigondier to discover how proper curation can completely transform your perception of Italian bubbles. I know it changed mine.
More information and order these wines: https://www.debigondier.nl/collections/900-wine
