2024 Pizzini Il Soffio Prosecco – King Valley | 94 Points Halliday

94 POINTS HALLIDAY! ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST EXCITING PROSECCOS – AND JUST $30 A BOTTLE!

94 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

2024 Pizzini ‘Il Soffio’ Prosecco – King Valley, Victoria

RRP $30 per bottle

Now this is a seriously impressive Prosecco!

If you think Prosecco is simply an inexpensive sparkling wine to enjoy before dinner, the 2024 Pizzini Il Soffio might just change your mind.

This is a beautifully crafted, more complex expression of the style from one of Australia's most respected Italian-varietal producers.

Fresh lemon sherbet.

Crisp Granny Smith apple.

Juicy pear.

Delicate white flowers.

A lovely creamy texture.

And a long, beautifully refreshing finish.

94 POINTS HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

JUST $30 A BOTTLE!

What makes this wine so exciting is that it delivers considerably more texture, depth and sophistication than you might expect from Prosecco at this price.

And that is precisely what the Pizzini family set out to achieve.

This is Prosecco with a little more ambition – and an enormous amount of drinking pleasure.

Pizzini Wines – One of the King Valley's Great Italian Wine Families

The Pizzini family is one of the most important names in the King Valley's remarkable Italian wine story.

Alfredo and Katrina Pizzini established their family vineyards in the region in 1978.

Initially, they grew grapes for other wineries.

But in 1994, they began releasing wines under the Pizzini name.

Their vision was simple.

To produce wines that celebrated their Italian heritage while expressing the distinctive character of Victoria's beautiful King Valley.

Rather than concentrating solely on traditional Australian varieties, the family embraced the grapes of Italy.

Sangiovese.

Nebbiolo.

Pinot Grigio.

Arneis.

And Prosecco.

Over the years, Pizzini has developed a wonderful reputation for producing wines with genuine character, balance and food-friendly appeal.

Today, the family remains deeply involved in the winery, with the next generation continuing the tradition.

And Il Soffio is a magnificent example of their approach to Italian-inspired sparkling wine.

Il Soffio – The Breath of the King Valley

The name Il Soffio translates from Italian as “The Breath.”

And there is a beautiful reason behind it.

The name refers to the gentle evening breezes that flow through the King Valley, cooling the vineyards and helping the grapes retain their freshness.

These cooling influences are particularly important for Prosecco.

The variety needs beautiful fruit flavour, but it also needs vibrant acidity.

Without that freshness, sparkling wine can become heavy and unbalanced.

In the King Valley, the combination of warm sunshine and cooling breezes provides excellent conditions for growing Glera.

The result is fruit with lovely aromatic intensity and refreshing natural acidity.

And that freshness is at the heart of Il Soffio.

King Valley – Australia's Spiritual Home of Prosecco

The King Valley has become one of Australia's most celebrated regions for Italian grape varieties.

Situated in northeastern Victoria, its landscape, climate and strong Italian heritage have created a remarkable wine culture.

The region's Prosecco producers have helped establish a distinctly Australian interpretation of this famous Italian sparkling wine.

Fresh.

Aromatic.

Vibrant.

And wonderfully food-friendly.

But Il Soffio takes things a step further.

Rather than producing only a simple, fruit-driven sparkling wine, Pizzini has created a more textural and complex expression.

It combines the refreshing personality of Prosecco with additional depth, creaminess and savoury character.

And that makes it particularly exciting.

100% Glera – Beautifully Expressive Italian-Inspired Sparkling Wine

The grape behind Il Soffio is Glera, the traditional variety associated with Prosecco.

Glera is renowned for producing wines with delicate aromatic complexity.

Green apple.

Fresh pear.

Lemon.

Lime.

White flowers.

And beautifully refreshing acidity.

In the right hands, however, the variety can offer considerably more than simple fruitiness.

With careful winemaking and additional time on lees, Glera can develop a more satisfying texture and subtle savoury complexity.

And that is exactly what makes Il Soffio so impressive.

This is a sparkling wine that combines the charm of Prosecco with the sophistication of a more carefully developed style.

Hand-Harvested Grapes and Meticulous Winemaking

One of the reasons Il Soffio stands apart is the attention to detail in the winery.

The grapes are hand harvested and whole-bunch pressed.

This gentle approach helps preserve the purity of the fruit.

The juice is then fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures, helping retain the delicate citrus and floral aromas.

After fermentation, the wine remains in contact with its lees.

Regular lees stirring adds texture, complexity and a more generous mouthfeel.

The sparkling wine is then produced using the Charmat method, with its second fermentation taking place in pressurised tanks.

This preserves the beautiful freshness of Glera while creating lively, elegant bubbles.

The result is a Prosecco with genuine substance, not simply sparkle.

A More Complex and Textural Style of Prosecco

What makes Il Soffio particularly exciting is its balance between freshness and richness.

The bright citrus and apple flavours are immediately appealing.

But beneath that freshness lies a lovely creamy texture.

Subtle brioche notes.

A delicate savoury character.

And a beautifully rounded palate.

This additional complexity gives Il Soffio a real point of difference.

It remains wonderfully refreshing, but there is more to discover with every glass.

It's the sort of Prosecco that makes you realise how good the variety can be when treated with care.

Lemon Sherbet, Granny Smith Apple, Pear and Beautiful Creaminess

The 2024 Il Soffio is a wonderfully expressive sparkling wine.

The aromas are fresh and inviting.

Think lemon sherbet.

Fresh lime zest.

Crisp Granny Smith apple.

Juicy pear.

And delicate jasmine and wisteria blossom.

There is also a lovely hint of brioche, adding complexity to the bright fruit.

The palate is lively and energetic.

Fresh citrus acidity provides wonderful drive.

The orchard-fruit flavours bring generosity.

And the creamy texture gives the wine impressive depth.

There is a lovely balance between freshness and richness.

The bubbles are beautifully refreshing.

And the finish is long, clean and wonderfully satisfying.

This is Prosecco that delivers both immediate drinking pleasure and genuine sophistication.

94 Points – Halliday Wine Companion

94 POINTS FOR JUST $30 – THAT'S SERIOUSLY IMPRESSIVE VALUE!

Recognised Among Australia's Best Proseccos

The 2024 Il Soffio has also attracted attention beyond its Halliday recognition.

In Young Gun of Wine's national Australian Prosecco tasting, Il Soffio was selected among one judge's six favourite wines.

The wine impressed with its vibrant orchard fruit, citrus intensity and energetic palate.

This is particularly exciting because the tasting considered Prosecco from across Australia.

Further recognition that Il Soffio is one of the country's particularly compelling examples of the variety.

The Perfect Step Up from Everyday Prosecco

Pizzini produces an excellent everyday NV Prosecco.

But Il Soffio is designed to offer something more.

More texture.

More complexity.

A little more savoury character.

And a beautifully developed palate.

It still has everything we love about Prosecco.

Freshness.

Fruit.

Lively bubbles.

And wonderful versatility.

But it brings an additional level of sophistication.

For anyone who enjoys Pizzini's regular Prosecco, Il Soffio is a terrific wine to explore next.

And at $30, the step up in price is remarkably modest.

Outstanding with Seafood and Italian Food

Il Soffio is a particularly versatile food wine.

Its bright acidity, fine bubbles and creamy texture make it a wonderful partner for a wide range of dishes.

Fresh Oysters

The citrus freshness complements the natural brininess of oysters.

Pan-Seared Scallops

The creamy texture and lemon characters work beautifully with delicate scallops.

King Prawns

Excellent with fresh prawns, lemon and a little aioli.

Lobster Rolls

The combination of rich seafood and refreshing acidity is magnificent.

Calamari

Perfect with lightly fried calamari and fresh lemon.

Burrata

The bright acidity cuts through the richness of creamy fresh cheese.

Antipasto

Wonderful with prosciutto, salami, olives and Italian cheeses.

Seafood Pasta

A beautiful match for linguine with prawns, garlic and olive oil.

For something particularly enjoyable, serve Il Soffio with pan-seared scallops, browned butter and fresh lemon.

Absolutely delicious.

Perfect for Entertaining – But Far Too Good to Save for a Special Occasion

One of the things we love about Il Soffio is its versatility.

It's sophisticated enough to serve at a beautiful dinner party.

But approachable enough to enjoy on a relaxed Sunday afternoon.

It works brilliantly as an aperitif.

It is outstanding with seafood.

And it makes a wonderful sparkling wine for celebrations.

The combination of freshness, texture and genuine complexity makes it particularly appealing to a wide range of wine drinkers.

At $30 a bottle, this is a wine you can confidently serve to friends who appreciate quality sparkling wine.

Why We Love This Wine at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we're always searching for wines that offer extraordinary quality for their price.

And the 2024 Pizzini Il Soffio is exactly the sort of wine we love.

First, there is the producer.

PIZZINI – ONE OF THE KING VALLEY'S MOST RESPECTED ITALIAN WINE FAMILIES.

Then there is the region.

KING VALLEY – AUSTRALIA'S SPIRITUAL HOME OF PROSECCO.

Then there is the grape.

100% GLERA – THE CLASSIC GRAPE OF PROSECCO.

Then there is the winemaking.

Hand-harvested fruit, careful fermentation and additional lees work for texture.

Then there is the style.

Beautiful citrus freshness, orchard fruit, delicate brioche and a wonderfully creamy palate.

Then there is the recognition.

94 POINTS HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION!

And finally, there is the price.

JUST $30 A BOTTLE!

This is a wine that demonstrates just how impressive Australian Prosecco can be.

Not simply fresh and fizzy.

But textured.

Complex.

Beautifully balanced.

And absolutely delicious.

94 POINTS HALLIDAY. KING VALLEY PROSECCO. EXTRAORDINARY FRESHNESS AND TEXTURE. JUST $30.

2024 Pizzini Il Soffio – a magnificent-value sparkling wine we are delighted to recommend at Liquid Vibe.

Wine Details

• Producer: Pizzini Wines

• Wine: Il Soffio Prosecco

• Vintage: 2024

• Region: King Valley, Victoria, Australia

• Grape Variety: Glera (Prosecco)

• Style: Dry, textural white sparkling wine

• Harvest: Hand harvested

• Pressing: Whole-bunch pressed

• Primary Fermentation: Cool stainless-steel fermentation

• Lees Treatment: Lees contact and stirring for additional texture

• Secondary Fermentation: Charmat method in pressurised tanks

• Oak: None in the winery's published production method

• Aromas: Lemon sherbet, lime, apple, pear, jasmine and brioche

• Palate: Fresh citrus, creamy texture, lively bubbles and a long finish

• Alcohol: 11.5% according to the Halliday 2024 listing

• Closure: Cork

• Critic Score: 94 Points Halliday Wine Companion

• Additional Recognition: Selected among a judge's top six in Young Gun of Wine's Australian Prosecco tasting

• RRP: $30 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Oysters, scallops, prawns, lobster rolls, calamari, burrata and seafood pasta

• Serving Temperature: 6–8°C

• Drinking Style: Enjoy young for maximum freshness