I am planning my birthday party and one of the tasks is to provide Prosecco for my guests as it is a really good cheaper alternative to Champagne. These days of austerity mean my pockets are not so deep. Back in the 60's Prosecco used to be sickly sweet, but modern techniques now mean a dry quality wine.

It is mainly from the Veneto region in the north of Italy, and is made from the Prosecco grape (not to state the obvious). Produced with the less fiddly and expensive Charmat process, (which unlike Champagne involves secondary fermentation in stainless steel tanks rather than the bottle), it starts at a very affordable £4.00ish. You mainly get two types, the 'spumante' which is more expensive than the other, 'frizzante', which has not gone through the full secondary fermentation process, so less excited bubbles.

As it is relatively cheap anyway I recommend always going for spumante.

I was in Venice back in 2007 an had a Bellini in the famous Harry's Bar. I did not realise at the time that the adulteration of what I thought was Champagne was actually Prosecco, but I am now left with the thought that the drink was very expensive considering the contents.

So while mulling over which Prosecco I should choose, I read a news story about Marks and Spencer recently losing 14400 bottles of the stuff. The Italians have brought into place strict regulations on the labeling of a wine as 'Prosecco'. It has to be authentic i.e. not just made from the grape Prosecco but also from the DOC and DOCG regions. Much like Champagne has to be from the Champagne region (us Brits produce sparkling wine from the same grapes and process as Champagne cannot use the term). This particular drink was labelled 'Rosecco', but the Italians still took a dim view, playing the Charades 'sounds like' option that this could still mislead the consumer. So they impounded it and M&S did not get their bottles.

This new Italian regulation means that I can be more confident as a buyer of 'getting the good stuff'.

I suppose the eternal question always arises when throwing a Champagne-less party, Cava or Prosecco? Prosecco seems to have the edge, despite good Cava mostly being made with Champagne grapes and the traditional Champagne method. Prosecco has a less 'run of the mill', and more exotic feel about it. Lots of unknowns, a mysterious option that is trendy.

"Oh, Prosecco darling, how lovely!"

Prosecco is not the only wine misnomer in the news right now. There is all out fraud involving the worlds biggest wine producer E&J Gallo (who were the 'poor defensless victim' in this case). It would appear that the 'Red Bicyclette Pinot Noir' they were selling was actually Syrah and Merlot. They were conned by a French supplier...yes but wait a minute but I am sure the E&J Gallo tasters should have been able to distinguish Pinot Noir from Merlot and Syrah.

What on earth is going on?

I quote from on their site -

"Since its inception, the hallmark of E. & J. Gallo Winery’s founders has been their unwavering commitment to quality. By taking the utmost care in each and every step of the grape growing and winemaking process"

Here is their statement about the issue.

This does not inject much confidence in the E&J Gallo brand.

The real victims in all of this are the millions of wine consumers who rely on the big brands to check what's in a bottle before peddling it, while not 'accidentally' misleading us with questionable bottle labels.

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