FOOD NEWS
What Sets Frizzante Apart From Other Sparkling Wines
BY RYAN CASHMAN
For those of us who normally aren’t into sparkling wines, there's a category that strikes just the right balance of fizz and flavor: frizzante, or semi-sparkling wine.
Frizzante and spumante are the two main categories of Italian sparkling wine. Spumante wines are very fizzy, while frizzante is only mildly bubbly, but just as flavorful.
Sparkling wine strength is judged on a bar scale or in "psi." Spumante wines measure at 5 to 6 bars, or 73 to 90 psi, while frizzante wines are 1 to 2.5 bars, or 14 to 37 psi.
Bubbles in wine are created during secondary fermentation. Yeast and sugars are introduced to the wine and sealed in a stainless steel tank to create carbon dioxide.
The amount of time that the wine spends in the tank with the CO2 will determine the bar strength of the drink. Frizzante takes about a month, while spumante takes about 40 days.
Frizzante can encompass multiple sparkling wines, such as prosecco or Moscato d'Asti. These wines pair well with lighter fare, such as seafood, salads, and soups.
In general, frizzante wines are easier for casual, everyday drinking, and are also often served in carafe glasses as a starting wine to prepare the drinker's palate for a meal.