Italian winemaker La Gioiosa launching Prosecco Rosé in UK

The latest in a string of rosé prosecco products to launch follow regulatory changes in Italy is set to launch in the UK. La Gioiosa Prosecco Rosé will be available through distributor North South Wines from the end of November.

The owner of La Gioiosa, Giancarlo Moretti Polegato, was among the first to propose a rosé prosecco back in 2009, when the prosecco denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) was created.

Following alterations to the DOC regulations by Italy's National Wine Council in May 2020 to introduce a rosé, which can use pinot nero (pinot noir) grapes for colour alongside white glera grapes, a number of brands have announced a rosé prosecco for the UK market including The Emissary and PINK Prosecco.

La Gioiosa is one of the largest growers of pinot nero grapes and has been making wine with the variety for foour decades. Its range of wines also includes Spumante Brut DOC Treviso and Millseimato Superiore Valdobbiadene. 

The company started selling it Prosecco Rosé in Italy in September with exports due to start next month. Following its launch in national UK retail, it is hoping to broaden distribition in 2021.

Kim Wilson, managing director of North South Wines, said: "Sparkling wine fans have been getting excited about rosé prosecco for months, so it's great that La Gioiosa's bubbles are ready to hit the shelves. Bringing together rosé - one of the strongest wine trends in the world - with the popularity of prosecco will drive even more consumers to explore this category.

"La Gioiosa's wines have always been strong sellers for us, and I expect the new rosé will be equally as popular. With Christmas beckoning, the launch is well timed to bring some sparkle into the winter months that lie ahead."

Giancarlo Moretti Polegato, who is also a board member of the Prosecco DOC consortium, said: "Prosecco rosé will most definitely represent an opportunity, especially in this particular moment, to win over new clients and obtain new listings with distributors all over the world.

"The interest in sparkling rosé continues to grow across the world. The interest in prosecco has continued to grow as well. I believe that this will translate into minimum growth of around 10 to 15 per cent with respect to what we sell now, so it's a big slice of the market."

29 October 2020 - Bethany Whymark