A hilly corner of the Veneto in northern Italy was awarded Unesco World Heritage designation this past July, and odds are you are already familiar with it. It is the area known as Conegliano Valdobbiadene in the heart of Prosecco country.

Prosecco, the inexpensive Italian sparkling wine, is a must have for on-premise operators. Many patrons are fans of this cheap and cheerful fizz. With global success and recognition, though, counterfeit products (think Hello Kitty Prosecco) and even Prosecco-flavored Pringles are diluting its message.

With an eye towards quality, the region has enacted stricter, more protective appellation laws, the most relevant for quality being Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG. Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are the hilliest and therefore best vineyard areas within the region. They are further subdivided into Rive, for the steeper and therefore better vineyard areas, and at the top of the new quality pyramid, a single and very steep vineyard, or “cru” known as Cartizze. While Cartizze wines are considered the best, if they are labeled “Dry” they are most often semi-sweet to sweet (they are allowed up to 32 g/l of sugar), as the tradition is to drink these with dessert.

Here are Planet Grape Wine Review’s Top Ten Conegliano Valdobbiane Proseccos:

Vegan/Dry
NV Perlage Canah Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Brut 90, $17
Dry and racy with notes of lemon pith, wafer cookie, apple tart and chamomile. Vegan.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/nv-perlage-canah-prosecco-superiore-valdobbiadene-brut/

Dry
2017 Biancavigna Rive di Soligo Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Zero Dosaggio 90, $23
Light, fresh, tangy and dry with fine bubbles and notes of lemon meringue, peach skin, almond biscotti, beeswax and chalk.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2017-biancavigna-rive-di-soligo-prosecco-superiore-conegliano-valdobbiadene-zero-dosaggio/

2018 Bisol Crede 1542 Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Brut 90, $24
Crisp, fresh, lean and nearly dry sparkling wine with notes of mandarin, golden apple, rosehip and bergamot.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-bisol-crede-1542-prosecco-superiore-valdobbiadene-brut/

Slightly Sweet
2018 Bortolomiol Bandarossa Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry 90, $18
Light and sweet-tart with notes of lemon meringue, orange gelato, almond sliver, violet and chalk.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-bortolomiol-bandarossa-prosecco-valdobbiadene-superiore-extra-dry/

NV Drusian Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry 88, $14
Finely sparkling and sweet with notes of lemon custard, apricot tartlet, almond sliver and lanolin.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/nv-drusian-valdobbiadene-prosecco-superiore-extra-dry/

2018 Malibran Ruio Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Brut 88, $19
Lightly sweet and sparkling with notes of coriander seed, fennel seed, pink rose and white rock.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-malibran-ruio-prosecco-superiore-valdobbiadene-brut/

2018 Masottina Rive di Ogliano Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Dry 87, $27
Sweet-tart, light and mature with notes of apple pie, apple cider, crumbled pecan and toasted marshmallow.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-masottina-rive-di-ogliano-prosecco-superiore-conegliano-valdobbiadene-extra-dry/

2018 Sommariva Rive di San Michele Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry 88, $22
Lightly sweet and sparkling with notes of lemon zest, pineapple rind, chalk and ginger.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-sommariva-rive-di-san-michele-conegliano-valdobbiadene-prosecco-superiore-extra-dry/

2018 La Vigna di Sarah Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Valdobbiadene Extra Dry 91, $32
Delicate and lightly sweet sparkling wine with notes of passion fruit, pineapple, candied orange and crushed rock.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-la-vigna-di-sarah-prosecco-superiore-conegliano-valdobbiadene-extra-dry/

Sweet
2018 Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze 90, $42
Sweet, creamy and lightly sparkling with notes of lemon curd, violet candy, chalk and fresh shellfish.
http://planetgrapewinereview.com/oldworldwine_reviews/2018-col-vetoraz-valdobbiadene-superiore-di-cartizze/

SLAM DUNK GIFT FOR YOUR MANAGERS, HOSTS, BARTENDERS AND SERVERS
Ten Grapes to Know, The Ten & Done Wine Guide

https://isantemagazine.com/blog/planet-grape-wine-reviews-top-ten-proseccos-region-looks-quality