Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesParticularly lithe as DOC Proseccos go, this easy pleaser starts with scents of white blossoms and minerally glints that lead to a crisp, dry palate of lemon, melon, and tart Rome apple.
Valdo’s Philosophy: “Prosecco” is the distinguishing factor on the regional level – refined aromas, balance and overall quality are the key features Valdo focuses on to produce unique and unrivaled products. Valdo strives to maintain the perfect balance: technology, passion, innovation and tradition in a process that guarantees extraordinary quality in every bottle.
Valdo was started in 1926 by the Societa Anonima Vini Superiori and purchased by the Bolla Family in the 1940’s. Over 90 years of continuous innovation with an ongoing quest for quality and devotion to respecting the vineyards & wine-making traditions of the region, has helped to secure Valdo’s position as the #1 Best Selling Prosecco in Italy for over 15 years.
Valdo is located at the foothills of the “pre-alps” around Treviso in the heart of Prosecco DOCG. Vineyard Designation: 40% or 198 acres DOC; 60% or 297 acres DOCG. The soil is enriched by a unique mineral composition, typical of morainic (left by glaciers) hills alternating with alluvial terraced embankments. The vineyards are located in a particular microclimate – abundant and frequent rains, mild climate from April to October, with July & August being hot.
In 1883, Pierluigi Bolla’s great grandfather established the Bolla Wine Company and started the family's storied history in wine. After completing his degree in Economics at Verona University, and holding a series of positions at prominent Italian companies, Pierluigi joined Bolla Wine in 1983 and was the Chairman until 1995. Concurrently, he has been the Chairman and CEO at Valdo Spumanti since 1989, while also serving on a multitude of corporate boards and regional councils. Through Pierluigi Bolla’s leadership, Valdo is always at the forefront of innovation, continuously
experimenting and propelling Prosecco to greater levels of excellence.
One of the world’s most popular and playful sparkling wines, Prosecco is a specialty of northeastern Italy, spanning nine provinces of the Veneto and Fruili-Venezia Giulia regions. A higher-quality version of Prosecco wine that must meet more stringent production requirements is known as Prosecco Superiore and must come from the more rugged terrain between the towns of Valdobiaddene and Conegliano. Prosecco can be produced as a still wine, a semi-sparkling wine (“frizzante”), or a fully sparkling wine (“spumante”)—the latter being the most common. While Prosecco wine is typically produced in a “brut” (dry) style, its fresh and fruity character makes it seem a bit sweeter than it actually is. “Extra dry” styles, incorporating higher levels of residual sugar, are quite popular, however.
Prosecco wine is made from the Glera grape, which was formerly and confusingly called Prosecco, these wines are notable for pleasant flavors of peach, pear, melon, green apple, and honeysuckle. Lower pressure during the carbonation process (also called the tank method) means that the bubbles are lighter and frothier than in Champagne or other traditional method sparkling wine, and less persistent. Prosecco is also a great choice to blend with orange juice for mimosas for a classic brunch beverage.
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.