Do you know what Col Fondo is? Imagine Prosecco made in the classic Champagne style, with the secondary fermentation taking place directly in the bottle. While your usual Prosecco dazzles with its sleek, modern bubbles, Col Fondo offers a striking contrast with its unfiltered charm.

This August 13th, Prosecco Day, let’s shine a light on the ancient Col Fondo style – a sparkling wine that embodies the true roots and rich tradition of Prosecco.

The Raw Essence of Col Fondo

In an era where most Prosecco is produced using the Charmat method – where bubbles are created in large, pressurized tanks – Col Fondo offers an interesting alternative, more complex and distinctive.

Col Fondo, meaning "with the bottom," is a historic method where secondary fermentation occurs directly in the bottle. This technique, known as Rifermentato in Bottiglia, has been around since before the 9th century, long before modern industrial methods took over. Unlike its clear and refined counterparts, Col Fondo is intentionally cloudy due to the sediment or lees that remain in the bottle.

Being unfiltered is a hallmark of traditional Col Fondo crafting. The extended contact with yeast provides a complexity and depth of flavour that modern Prosecco often lacks. Expect bold, raw flavours – notes of green apple, white peach, and a hint of bread crust – enhanced by a lively, textured finish. Col Fondo captures the essence of traditional winemaking, offering an authentic and refreshing taste experience.

Embracing Tradition with Il Brolo

Il Brolo Farm, located in the picturesque Colli Euganei near Venice, perfectly blends tradition with innovation. Their dedication to organic winemaking is evident in their Col Fondo-style sparkling wines. With a twelve-month bottle refermentation process, Il Brolo’s ‘Bollicine di Seta’ showcases a silky texture and refined bubbles while maintaining the raw, authentic character of traditional winemaking.

Their 'Bollicine di Seta' is a beautiful representation of how tradition and modernity can harmoniously blend, featuring enchanting notes of apple, peach, wisteria flowers, and subtle hints of acacia honey and mountain herbs.

Discovering Col Fondo with Wild Nature

Wild Nature exemplifies the raw charm of Col Fondo. Since 1974, this winery has embraced organic practices and the traditional ‘Ancestrale’ method to produce Prosecco Col Fondo. This approach involves secondary fermentation in the bottle without disgorgement, resulting in a sparkling wine with a lively character and a rich, complex profile.

Wild Nature’s Prosecco Col Fondo delivers vibrant aromas of green apple, white peach, and bread crust, balanced by a well-rounded, sapid finish. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking an authentic taste of historical winemaking.

Timeless Elegance with Villa Sandi

Villa Sandi, situated in the heart of the Prosecco region, represents a different facet of Prosecco excellence. Known for their elegant and refined approach, Villa Sandi’s dedication to preserving the region’s winemaking heritage complements the broader Prosecco landscape.

Villa Sandi’s commitment to quality and innovation ensures they remain a significant player in the Prosecco world. The Villa Sandi Organic Prosecco offers is made from exceptional sparkling wine grapes and that captures the terroir’s essence with grace and sophistication.

Celebrating Prosecco’s Heritage

This International Prosecco Day let’s enjoy the sparkle but also appreciate the depth and heritage that Col Fondo brings to the table. From the unfiltered charm of Il Brolo and Wild Nature to the timeless elegance of Villa Sandi, there’s a Prosecco for every palate and occasion.

Here’s to discovering the rich, diverse world of Prosecco and celebrating its remarkable journey from ancient traditions to modern elegance.