Prosecco gets DOCG status

It has been agreed by the Italian government that the Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadine DOC zone will become a DOCG from the 2009 vintage and the IGT zone between Friuli and Veneto will be upgraded to DOC status.

The new regulations stipulate that yields for both are to be reduced with the greatest reduction in the new DOC from the current 180hl/ha to 126hl/ha. Yields in the DOCG will reduce by just 5hl/ha to 90hl/ha.

This drop in production could put pressure on the price of Prosecco but new leglislation due to be passed on 1 August will at least protect the name making it illegal for producers outside the DOC/DOCG zone to use Prosecco on the label. Instead they will have to use the name 'Glera' a synonym for Prosecco.