Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG: why Villa Giustiniani’s Prosecco is different
Steep hills at the foot of Monte Grappa, a restricted denomination and a historic estate: what sets Asolo Prosecco apart from the rest
The problem with generic Prosecco
Prosecco is the best-selling Italian wine in the world, and that is both a success and a problem. The name is everywhere: on supermarket shelves, on bar menus, in airline offers. But behind the word Prosecco lie very different realities. There is Prosecco DOC, produced across a vast area covering much of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. And there are two DOCG denominations, identifying smaller zones with stricter rules: Conegliano Valdobbiadene and Asolo Prosecco Superiore. Anyone drinking Prosecco without making these distinctions is missing half the story.
What is Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG
The Asolo DOCG production zone lies on the hills at the foot of Monte Grappa, in the province of Treviso. The territory is small: a handful of municipalities, steep hillsides, gradients that in many cases make machine harvesting impossible. The vineyards are worked by hand. The soil is clay and limestone, with a day-to-night temperature range that helps Glera grapes build up aromatic complexity.
Compared to generic Prosecco DOC, Asolo DOCG has lower yields per hectare, a production zone limited to hillside vineyards and a more restrictive set of regulations. The result is a wine with more structure, more aromatic complexity and a persistence that mass-market Prosecco simply doesn’t have. Green apple, citrus, a mineral thread that reflects the terrain: this is a Prosecco you recognise from the first sip.
Villa Giustiniani: Asolo Prosecco within the Terre dei Cavalieri project
Villa Giustiniani is a historic estate located within the Asolo DOCG production zone. The villa is surrounded by hillside vineyards planted with Glera, with exposures and altitudes that vary from plot to plot. The estate is part of the Terre dei Cavalieri project, which brings together several estates across different Italian regions under a single direction: Rocca Bernarda in Friuli, Villa Giustiniani in Veneto, Castello di Magione in Umbria.
Villa Giustiniani’s Prosecco is made from vineyards cultivated according to the denomination’s regulations, with care that starts in the vineyard. Harvesting is done by hand on the steepest plots, and winemaking follows the Charmat method with carefully timed secondary fermentation to preserve freshness and primary aromas. The result is a Prosecco Superiore DOCG with a clear identity: this is not a quick-aperitivo Prosecco — it’s a wine that holds its own at the table.
How to drink it
Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG is best served at 6–8°C, in a tulip-shaped glass. The shape allows you to appreciate the fine perlage and concentrates the aromas. It pairs well with seafood starters, light fried dishes, delicate risottos and grilled vegetables. The Brut version works throughout the meal. It shouldn’t be confined to a toast: it’s a versatile wine that deserves more attention than Prosecco usually gets.
Visiting Villa Giustiniani
The estate is open by appointment. A visit includes the vineyards, the cellar and a tasting of the Terre dei Cavalieri wines produced at Villa Giustiniani. The Asolo hills — with their medieval villages and the landscape that has inspired painters and writers for centuries — provide the natural backdrop for the experience. For anyone coming from the Veneto plain or Treviso, the estate is a short drive away.
Bookings are made through the Terre dei Cavalieri website. Villa Giustiniani wines are also available on the online shop, for those who want to taste before visiting or keep drinking after.
Why choose a Prosecco DOCG
The Prosecco market is saturated with undifferentiated labels. Choosing an Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG means choosing a wine with stricter rules, more work in the vineyard and more character in the glass. It doesn’t cost much more than generic Prosecco, but the difference is clear. And when you know where it comes from — which hill, which estate, which project — the wine becomes something more than just a sparkling.
Villa Giustiniani and the Prosecco of Asolo are one of the three territories that make up Terre dei Cavalieri. Friuli, Veneto, Umbria: three regions, three different productions, one project to explore.
