The bottle: Josh Cellars Prosecco, $14
The back story: In the sparkling wine category, Prosecco is the sip that can’t be stopped. In recent years, the Italian offering has grown from being relatively unknown — at least in the U.S. — to a fizzy favorite. Globally, Prosecco has surpassed Champagne, becoming the world’s best-selling sparking wine, with a volume of 544 million bottles in 2018.
All of which sets the stage for another major entrant in the Prosecco market: Josh Cellars. Like the Italian sparkler, the brand is a booming success story. Founded more than a decade ago by veteran sommelier Joseph Carr as a way to honor his hardworking father Josh, it went from obscurity to becoming a go-to label for sippers looking for good wine in the $10 to $20 range, considered an industry sweet spot. Josh Cellars, which is part of the Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits group, is on pace to reach 3 million cases this year — or about ten times what it sold in 2014.
Up until now, Josh Cellars has been known for American-made wine, offering such popular varietals as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. But with its newly released Prosecco, it is indeed looking to Italy, partnering with a small producer in that country. Joseph Carr wanted to offer the sparkler because of his love of all things Italian, according to a brand spokesperson. “Prosecco personified the Italian lifestyle — lighthearted, fun and approachable,” said the spokesperson.
What we think about it: We’re fans of Prosecco, though we often find some of them to be too sweet for our taste. The Josh Cellars offering is a more balanced and nuanced approach to the style, with nice crispness (we get plenty of citrus notes) and relatively delicate bubbles. In other words, it’s still approachable and perfect for an end-of-summer bash, but it’s not a bottle to be taken completely lightly.
How to enjoy it: This bottle is perfectly enjoyable on its own, but the Josh Cellars team suggests pairings ranging from a charcuterie platter to a serving of oysters. It can also be used in cocktails that call for Prosecco, such as a Bellini.
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