Rive, the jewels in Prosecco’s crown

But there are of course myriad Proseccos, spanning a range of styles and price brackets. We have chosen to focus on Rive, which are akin to a superior first growth in Prosecco and boast DOCG status. The term ‘Rive’ alludes to the steep hillsides that define the terrain, and it offers the perfect showcase for the multiple expressions of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Rive-labelled wines are often grown on the steepest and most typical hillsides and their grapes come from a single village or hamlet within its boundaries. The aim is to highlight the distinctive features that terroir can convey to a wine. The appellation has 43 such Rive, each of them expressing different characters stemming from the soil, aspect and microclimate of the site. Other important aspects are yields – that cannot exceed 13 tonnes per hectare – mandatory harvesting by hand and a compulsory vintage statement on the label.

All of these positive attributes are clearly encapsulated in the bottle. The wines are silky, precise and velvety with a more complex aromatic structure and a touch of salinity on the finish that shows clear site-expressiveness. And if you still have any doubts, go view the selection we have put together for you in this issue (pages 129-130). You won’t be disappointed.

By Francesco Saverio Russo Photographs - Courtesy of the estates