Prosecco in pictures

db was delighted to be invited to Prosecco’s lesser-known DOCG Asolo last week to spend a couple of days with leading producer in the region Giusti. Our first pitstop was for lunch in Treviso, where we devoured this trio of fluffy salt cod, which paired a treat with an Aperol Spritz.

Then it was on to the Giusti headquarters in the village of Nervesa della Battaglia, which was used as a military base during World War II and is now a peaceful place punctuated by the hourly chimes of the bell tower.

During our visit the harvest was in full swing, with these Recanting grapes looking ripe for the picking.

The closeness of World War I felt ever present in the region, with these Glera vines planted inches away from a crater caused by an exploding bomb.

Giusti’s export manager, Sebastiano Bonomo models the estate’s balsamic vinegar barrels, filled with the sweet elixir that’s divine with Parmesan.

Giusti’s owner, Ermenegildo Giusti, is an avid art lover and painter, though we’re not sure if he’s behind this provocative fresco

During our visit, we tasted through the entire Giusti range, which includes a trio of Proseccos, a Chardonnay, an Amarone and top wine Umberto I.

Ermenegildo Giusti cradles a magnum of Umberto I in the cathedral-like cellar dedicated to the wine, which is made from a blend of Cabernet and Merlot with a dash of Petit Verdot.

The wine is named after Giusti’s grandfather, depicted here by Giusti himself

The next morning we were given a tour of Giusti’s ten vineyard sites, which took us to an abandoned 12th century abbey soon to be restored.

A few days before my visit, Giusti had held a party to celebrate the discovery of this mausoleum on one of the estate’s vineyard plots.

Autumn’s fiery colours were burning bright in the vineyards

And the grapes were hanging low…

The highlight of the trip for db’s Lucy Shaw was a spin through the vineyards in Ermenegildo’s Ferrari, which roared like a lion.

The view from above…

Lucy was also rather taken with this stunning Venetian chandelier in the Giusti headquarters, which she wished she could have fit in her suitcase.