By James Atklinson
King Valley wineries have reported a huge uplift in sales of sparkling Prosecco since they joined together to market themselves as the grape's premier Australian growing region.
In Sydney last week with fellow Prosecco Rd wineries – Brown Brothers, Chrismont, Ciccone, Pizzini and Sam Miranda – Dal Zotto Wines' Christian Dal Zotto told TheShout that Prosecco was an unknown in Australia when his family first launched it in 2004.
"Since 2011 you've got the six wineries out there pushing it, so the awareness of Prosecco is really getting out there, and the sales are going nuts," Dal Zotto said.
The Prosecco Rd wineries in Sydney last week
He said one of the best things about Prosecco is its affordability – nearly all the King Valley Proseccos are priced at between $18 and $23, although Dal Zotto has a reserve, Methode Champenoise version that is priced at $36.
"People can drink this as an everyday drink rather than worrying about it being some sort of special occasion wine," he said.
"We have consumers come through that state quite clearly that they don't like anything that's bubbly," added Dal Zotto.
"But they have a taste and it's fresh, it's dry, it's clean – they end up walking out with six to 12 bottles."