The Prosecco — that fizzy, champagne-like wine is growing more and more successful each year. Italians consider it the perfect aperitivo for summer and other countries are following suit with their own prosecco vintages.
Recently, the Italians have decided to protect the prosecco variant by upgrading it into the country’s A-list wine classification, DOCG. The new designation now protects the name Prosecco, the grape variant and new regulations imposed on its production.
One reason that both businessmen and wine experts cite when talking about prosecco’s increased popularity is, surprisingly, Paris Hilton. A few years ago, Paris endorsed the Rich Prosecco brand, which came in gold plated cans. Her endorsement brought prosecco to the public consciousness and, in effect, different manufacturers started releasing their own versions even if these were not produced in the region in Italy where the original variant was grown. This was now the impetus Italian growers needed to push for the new classification.
So in effect, Italian winemakers were actually helped by Paris Hilton! And I always thought Paris won’t contribute to anything much.