Champagne versus sparkling wine? Fans of bubbles have always been divided between France and Italy, in a clash that has been going on for centuries to the sound of uncorked bottles and filled goblets. And this year it seems that Made in Italy has also conquered our beloved cousins.
In fact, in 2016 the demand for Italian sparkling wine in France tripled, with a record increase of almost 200% in terms of exports.
Italian sparkling wine conquers France
The data Istat, analyzed by Coldiretti, clearly show a clear dominance over the French in the first five months of the year, and forecasts confirm excellent results for the rest of the year as well. For every bottle of champagne shipped to Italy, six end up beyond the Alps!
This figure has projected France to third place in the ranking regarding the demand for Italian sparkling wine, behind the United States and Great Britain. The latter also recorded a + 37% in demand, confirming the growth of recent years (growth however threatened by the outcome of Brexit).
Italian sparkling wine: from ancient Rome to the present day
From some Roman writings we learned of the consumption of a very sweet sparkling wine already in ancient Rome. However, experts believe it was not an archaic version of sparkling wine, but the must still maturing. Conviction made even stronger by the fact that at the time there were no bottling methods capable of maintaining a liquid under pressure such as sparkling wine.
In the XNUMXth century, the French Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon invented champagne in the abbey of Hautvillers, that is a type of very sweet and sparkling wine with the classic froth that comes out of the bottle when it is opened. There are numerous stories and legends about how it was invented: from those who believe that it was the result of a series of errors by the monk during the preparation of wine for mass, to the supporters of the thesis concerning a serious and long preparation desired by the monk himself. to obtain an even sweeter and tastier wine. And the Italian sparkling wine? If in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance there are numerous writings concerning wines similar to the product in question, it is necessary to wait until 1865 to have the first official testimony of Italian sparkling wine.
The Gancia Brothers and Count Augusto di Vistarino after a series of experiments they eliminated the syrups that the French producers used in the preparation, giving life to a raw champagne based on Muscat (the grape used for their wine). Lo Italian champagne conquers everyone in a short time, thanks above all to the much lower cost than the French version.
Over the years the preparation of sparkling wine has been refined with the use of other types of vines and with different processing methods, thus obtaining numerous versions suitable for any palate.
Sparkling wine today
Today it is possible to taste many types of Italian sparkling wine, all with different nuances and tastes.
Despite being born from a reinterpretation of French champagne, the Made in Italy sparkling wine immediately managed to stand up to it by establishing itself in the global market as its valid alternative and, according to the latest surveys, it seems to be preferred by the French themselves.
One of the many happy notes of our market. One of the many Italian products to be promoted around the world.
