Italy is full of medals at the Olympics of bubbles. In the The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022, the Italian bubbles won 53 gold and 129 silver – for a total of 182 medals – allowing Italy to place second behind France, for a short while, given that yes, the transalpine cousins won 55 gold. Here are some of best bubbles 2022.
How the world competition for the best bubbles works
The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships, conceived by the taster Tom Stevenson, is the competition that rewards the best bubbles in the world. The review includes several phases of judgment. Every year the jury, after various tastings, hangs the gold and silver medals around the necks of the deserving bottles. Whoever receives the award, in addition to having a certificate of excellence, competes in the last phase, where the "Best in class" are elected, i.e. the world champions of bubbles in each category.
Best bubbles 2022: Ferrari and Kettmeir at the top
In The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022, the Italian bubbles have had their fill of awards, winning 53 gold and 128 silver, which places it in second place, behind France, as the most recognized country. But if we talk about individual wineries, it is Ferrari Trent to have received the highest number of medals with 11 golds brought home. While among the Italian bubbles, considering the single label, it is Kettmeir the best Italian sparkling wine. With its Classic Method Athesis Brut Alto Adige in Magnum 2018, the cellar of the Santa Margherita wines group was awarded both the "National Champion Best Italian Sparkling Wine" and the "World Champion Rising Star" award. It is the first time, in the eight years of the prestigious international classification of Italian bubbles, for a spumante Alto Adige Doc. Instead, if we look at the category of sparkling reds, it is the Cleto Chiarli 2021 Vecchia Modena Premium in Magnum to take the world champion crown. And in the aromatic sparkling category, the winery's ''Acquesi'' Asti Docg wins over all Winery as the best aromatic sparkling wine in the world.
Ferrari: best cellar of the year
The historic Trentino winery of the Lunelli family, born in 1902, has conquered 11 gold medals, winning the best winery of the year award for the second consecutive year. The company's bottles awarded with gold are: Ferrari Trento NV Brut, Ferrari Trento NV Brut Magnum, Ferrari Trento 2013 Ferrari Perlé Nero Riserva Magnum (Trentodoc regional champion), Ferrari Trento 2010 Giulio Ferrari Riserva Magnum, Ferrari Trento NV Maximum Blanc de Blancs Magnum, Ferrari Trento NV Maximum Rosé, Ferrari Trento 2016 Perlé, Ferrari Trento 2012 Perlé Bianco Riserva, Ferrari Trento 2013 Perlé Bianco Riserva Magnum, Ferrari Trento 2016 Perlé Magnum, Ferrari Trento 2016 Perlé Rosé Riserva.
Classic Method Athesis Brut Alto Adige by Kettmeir 2018: best Italian sparkling wine
The bubbles signed by Kettmeir, a historic South Tyrolean winery founded in 1919, enchanted the judges. This classic method was crowned as “Best Italian Sparkling Wine” and “World Champion Rising Star”: bright straw yellow in color with a fine and long-lasting perlage, "Athesis" opens to the nose with fruity notes reminiscent of white pulp fruit, citrus fruits, flowers, almonds and bread crust. Fresh and balanced in the mouth, it is characterized by an aftertaste that recalls dried fruit.
Best sparkling red: Cleto Chiarli 2021 Vecchia Modena Premium in Magnum
The Magnum version of Cleto Chiarli's Vecchia Modena Premium 2021 won gold for the best sparkling red. “Occasionally Lambrusco dresses up elegantly”, thus opens the post of this Modena-based reality. A wine with a light ruby color and a fine lasting pink foam. The nose offers notes of small red fruits such as strawberry, cherry, currant, pomegranate and dog rose, anticipating notes of hazelnut. Delicate aromas that prelude to a fresh and delicate taste.
Cuvage NV Aquesi Asti: best aromatic sparkling wine
An encore that takes the Mondodelvino group back to the top of the world of aromatic bubbles, which was awarded the gold medal in the context of the competition. The winner was a white moscato that comes from grapes grown on calcareous soils, whose sweetness is balanced by a pleasant freshness.
Best bubbles 2022: the regional champions
Important prizes also for the best bottles of the most important wine areas. In Franciacorta among the “Blanc des blancs” the Fratelli Berlucchi NV Brut 25 in Magnum triumphed over all. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, this Franciacorta is fermented for a minimum of 25 months on the lees; it is characterized by a bright color, a simple but captivating scent. The best Prosecco instead it is the Monetto NV Extra dry. Going down to Southern Italy, the wine that struck the most is the Sicilian G.Milazzo 2003 Frederick II in Magnums.
