Millennium

About this wine

This wine is made from Glera grown in the Veneto Prosecco area and is produced by Zardetto, a long established Prosecco house in Conegliano Valdobbiadene. The sparkling character is achieved with the Charmat method, which preserves fresh fruit and floral aromas. On the nose expect acacia and white flowers with green apple and pear underpinned by citrus peel. The palate is light and crisp, marked by fine persistent bubbles, racy acidity and a dry, clean finish. Texture is delicate and lively, with a hint of brioche from brief contact with yeast and a refreshing mineral note typical of hillside vineyards in the region.

About the grape

Glera, historically known as Prosecco, is an old white variety from the border area between Italy and Slovenia that is now grown extensively in the hills of Veneto, especially around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene where Zardetto sources fruit for its vintage bottlings. For the 1999 Millennium release Zardetto selected fruit from its better hilltop parcels, vineyards planted on glacially formed soils and trained on steep slopes to concentrate acidity and aroma. In the cellar the grape is handled to preserve its floral and citrus aromatics, with primary fermentation in stainless steel and the secondary sparkling fermentation carried out in temperature controlled tanks according to the regional practice now commonly called the Charmat method. Glera is suited to this style because it is a relatively neutral yet aromatic variety that responds to careful clonal selection, site choice and gentle handling to show clear varietal character in a millesimato bottling.

Quick facts

• 🏇 Zardetto’s family story includes a dramatic moment from World War I when an ancestor lost his horse and cart loaded with wine during the retreat from Caporetto, a tale the winery still references as part of its origins
• 🕰️ A 1999 Millennium bottling from Zardetto would have been made just before Prosecco the grape was officially renamed Glera in the EU, so the bottle captures a moment when labels still commonly used the old name
• ✈️ Zardetto was one of the early Prosecco exporters, helping bring wines from Conegliano to the United States in the 1980s, so a 1999 Millennium release reflects a brand already on the world stage
• 🏭 Zardetto invested in a state of the art winery in the early 2000s to specialize in sparkling wine, so a 1999 vintage sits at the cusp of the winery’s modernization and renewed focus on quality bubbles
• 🏞️ The grapes for this wine come from the hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a landscape that later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so a 1999 bottle carries the heritage of a now famous Prosecco terroir

Palate profile

Producer

Zardetto, established in 1969 by Pino Zardetto, has been a pioneer in Prosecco production, blending modern techniques with traditional practices. The winery is located in Conegliano, Italy, a region renowned for its Prosecco vineyards. Zardetto was among the first to export Prosecco to the United States, significantly contributing to the global recognition of this Italian sparkling wine. The winery emphasizes authenticity and innovation, evident in their unique peel-off labels that reveal artistic designs, enhancing the sensory experience of their wines.