Prosecco

Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy made with Glera grapes. With abundant, frothy bubbles and delicate fruit flavours, there’s a reason Prosecco (pronounced pruh-seh-koh) is Italy’s numero uno sparkling wine.

This sparkling white wine is made in the Veneto region of Italy, using the Charmat or tank fermentation method. Typically dry in style with bright floral and fruity aromas, Prosecco is a very popular choice as an aperitif.

Its abundant fruity flavours, tingling bubbles and affordable price tag make it a popular alternative to Champagne. Delicious on its own or in cocktails, such as an Aperol Spritz and a Bellini, the best Prosecco are fresh and easy-drinking wines, perfect for celebrations or a casual glass with friends.

Bright and bubbly Prosecco is made in northeastern Italy in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia wine regions.

The name ‘Prosecco’ is protected under EU law, which means it can only be made in the nine specific provinces spanning these regions. The most prominent producers of Prosecco are Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG and Asolo-Prosecco DOCG, delivering premium sparkling wine prized for their intense fruity flavours.

At the heart of Prosecco is the Glera grape, constituting at least 85% of the blend. Historically known as “Prosecco”, this grape is believed to trace its roots back to an Italian village bearing the same name. It’s this rich heritage and strict criteria that make Prosecco not just a sparkling wine but also a reflection of Italian winemaking tradition.

Fresh and easy-drinking, Prosecco boasts a high acidity and typically has low to medium alcohol levels. Its classic fruity flavours are green apple, honeydew melon, pear and lemon.

Prosecco can be made in two styles – lightly sparkling (frizzante) or fully sparkling (spumante).

Prosecco comes in categories of sweetness too. It may help to familiarise yourself with these, as the Italian method for classifying wine sweetness can be confusing, with dry or demi-sec Prosecco ranked as the sweetest and Extra Brut as the least sweet.

• Extra Brut: very dry, with very little sweetness.
• Brut: dry, with little sweetness.
• Extra Dry: medium dry
• Dry: medium sweet
• Demi-Sec - the highest level of sweetness

While they can appear similar, Prosecco is fairly distinct from that other fizz favourite, Champagne.

These sparkling wines are made from entirely different grapes. While Champagne can be made from a mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes, Prosecco is made using at least 85% Glera grapes – it’s one of the things that gives Prosecco its fresh, fruity character.

They also use very different winemaking methods. The frothy, delicate bubbles in Prosecco are a result of tank fermentation. This tank fermentation helps capture the grape’s fresh vibrancy and is a less time-consuming method, which accounts for Prosecco’s wallet-friendly price tag. Champagne, on the other hand, is made with traditional method fermentation in the bottle which produces different flavours and larger bubbles. It’s also more labour intensive and expensive.

Learn more about the differences between Champagne and Prosecco.

Prosecco is a vibrant, highly aromatic and crisp wine with a prominent fruity character that typically includes:

• Honeydew melon
• Green apples
• Pear
• Peach

Prosecco is a versatile sparkling wine. Whether you’re raising a toast, kicking off a leisurely brunch or setting the mood before dinner, Prosecco is a fitting choice.

Its vibrant flavours and pronounced acidity make it a companion to a wide array of dishes, spanning from savoury starters to delectable desserts.

With Brut and Extra Brut Prosecco, consider pairing them with appetisers that have a bit of zest and depth. Think along the lines of cured meats, olives, nuts, cheeses and seafood.

If you’re sipping on a Dry or Extra Dry Prosecco, which tends to have a sweeter profile, consider pairing it with fruity and creamy desserts. Ideal pairings include light soufflé, rich crème brûlée, tangy fruit tarts and decadent cheesecake.

Discover more food and wine pairing tips

Chilling your Prosecco to a cool 4-7°C is the way to go.

While the Italians have a tradition of pouring Prosecco into wine or tulip glasses – their wider base keeps those bubbles dancing and aromas wafting – you can happily use a flute or even a regular white wine glass. Prosecco isn’t fussy.

When it comes to opening that bottle, a bit of care goes a long way. First, be sure to point the bottle away from anyone or anything precious. Then remember to “turn the bottle not the cork!” – keep a firm grip on the cork, easing it out gently while you rotate the bottle around the cork. Once popped, serve slowly into glasses to avoid an overflowing fizz bomb.

Read our top tips for preserving your wine.