Prosecco producer Bisol reveals plans to launch new Venetian wine

By James Lawrence

Published: 24 July, 2014

Bisol, the leading Italian Prosecoo producer, is to release a Venissa red in 2014, accroding to Matteo Bisol, the director of the family's Venissa tourism project on the Venetian island of Mazzorbo.

He told Harpers.co.uk that the producer will release a Venissa red in 2014. "We cannot release too many concrete details yet as the official press launch is in September,'" he said.

However, he could confirm the red wine was produced from vineyards on the Venetian island of Santa Cristina.

Venissa Rosso's varietal composition, pricing and other facts are not known at this stage, although Bisol said that the wine would be produced in small quantities and "marketed as a niche, premium product".

Several Prosecco brands currently make still red wine, including Zonin and Allegrini, however, Bisol has pioneered Venetian winemaking amongst the Prosecco troupe.

Interest in marketing wines from the Venice region has grown in recent times. Former French television executive Michele Thoulouze produces wine on the island of Sant'Eramso - the white blend Orto.

Members of the UK trade have generally welcomed the initiative. "Under the banner of Venice's global popularity, Venetian winemaking could become very trendy in the coming years," said Dario Poddana of Les Caves de Pyrene.

"There is surely demand in the UK market for a high quality, niche Venetian red," he added.

In contrast some Prosecco producers have branded the move by Bisol a gimmick. "Planting vineyards in Venice will absolutely not become a trend, its an expensive choice and for Bisol simply an expensive toy," said Primo Frano, owner of Nino Franco Prosecco.

Prosecco sales continue to rise in the UK off and on-trade sector. According to Nielsen, Prosecco sales accounted for over 44% of the total value of Italian fizz purchases in retail, with Asti still lagging behind.

Global sales of Prosecco overtook Champagne for the first time in 2013; over 38 million bottles were purchased in the UK alone last year.

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