Secco
Wine & Food
Secco - bubbling pleasure
Secco can be a light alternative to sparkling wine whenever you feel like celebrating with others. Germany offers a wide range of fresh, semi-sparkling wines suited for every party. Names like "Amüsecco" or "folly" signal relaxed, playful enjoyment that match the easygoing lifestyle of the uncomplicated pleasure generation. Think of when a hot day promises a warm evening on the terrace…
Secco is a German wine that has been "bubbled" with its own carbon dioxide, which gives it that certain sparkle. The legal name refers to semi-sparkling wine, as opposed to sekt, fully sparkling wine.
With relatively low alcohol, a Secco is recommended as an ideal summer aperitif, which does not put as much strain on the body even in hot temperatures. Served cool at around 6-8 ° C, it is particularly refreshing. Seccos are now part of the standard repertoire for many German winegrowers. The prices are mostly between 4 and 6 €.
How is Secco different
According to German Wine Law, semi-sparkling wine is defined as wine which has an excess of carbon dioxide compared to still wines. While most of the CO2 escapes during the fermentation of grape must to wine, for the preparation of high-quality Seccos, this is captured and put back into the wine after fermentation.
If CO2 from sources other than the wine itself are added, then it must be declared as "semi-sparkling wine with added carbon dioxide." This carbonation method is only used in the simplest semi-sparkling wines. Seccos have only 1 to 2.5 bar pressure, while sparkling wine contains at least 3, and up to 6, bar of carbonic acid pressure. An important distinction between seccos and sekt, or sparkling wine, is that in the latter, the CO2 comes from a second fermentation.
Seccos don’t need to use a wire cage (muselet) over the cork, like with sparkling wine, but are mostly closed with either a screw cap or a cork with foil or string.
Another important distinction is that the winegrower does not have to pay sparkling wine tax for semi-sparkling wines, which is around 1 € per bottle, therefore, they can be sold a little cheaper.
Levels of sweetness for semi-sparkling wines
Dry: up to 35 g / liter residual sugar content
Semi-dry: 33 - 50 g / liter residual sugar content
Mild: > 50 g / liter residual sugar
