Prosecco

The Italian sparkling wine Prosecco has become the world’s most famous fizz.

Its abundance of bubbles, fruity flavors, and affordability means, for many, it’s the preferred option over its French rival, Champagne. Delicious on its own or in cocktails, such as Aperol Spritz and mimosas, the best Proseccos are crisp, refreshing wines for celebrations or everyday enjoyment.

Prosecco (pronounced pruh-seh-koh) is a sparkling white wine that originates from the Veneto region of Italy. It’s made from the Glera grape and is typically dry and refreshing with subtle floral and fruity aromas. Prosecco is a popular choice for aperitivo (pre-dinner drinks) and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with light snacks.

Whether you’re looking for sparkling wine to serve with dinner or to sip on its own, discover your next perfect bottle of Prosecco. Our selection of premium Proseccos is sourced from some of the best producers in Italy, so you can be sure you’re getting a high-quality, delicious sparkling wine no matter where you start your Prosecco adventure.

Prosecco DOC is a geographical designation for wines produced in a specific area of northeastern Italy. Protected by European law, Prosecco can be made only in the nine provinces in the two Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

It must also be made with at least 85% Glera grapes—a traditional variety formerly known as Prosecco and believed to have originated in the vineyards of the Italian village of the same name.

Prosecco’s stylish creamy hue reveals a timeless sense of elegance and freshness.

The green-skinned Glera grape ripens late in the season, and its aromas are fragrant, floral, and fruity. Prosecco has high acidity and low to medium levels of alcohol.

Many question the difference between Prosecco and Champagne, but there are a couple of key distinctions. First, these sparkling wines are made from entirely different grapes. While Champagne can be produced from a mix of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier grapes, Prosecco is made using at least 85% Glera grapes, but other grapes can be used with the Glera grapes.

In addition, the wines are produced using different methods. The bubbles in Prosecco result from tank fermentation, making a fresh and fruity sparkling wine, unlike Champagne’s bottle fermentation, which is dry with complex secondary notes of toasted brioche. The tank fermentation approach involves less time and effort, helping to make Prosecco a more affordable option.

However, many of the best Proseccos are premium wines and incredibly enjoyable to drink.

Prosecco has refreshing aromas and zesty tones with a delightful note of creaminess. The best Prosecco tends to have an abundance of fresh fruity flavors. Dominant flavors include:

• Honeydew melon
• Green apples
• Pear
• Peach
• Honeysuckle

Prosecco typically falls into three categories of sweetness. It may help to familiarize yourself with the categories, as the Italian method for classifying wine sweetness can be confusing, with dry Prosecco ranked as the sweetest and brut as the least sweet.

• Brut—dry, with the least amount of sweetness.
• Dry—fruity with a kiss of sweetness.
• Extra Dry—a little sweeter in style than Dry but not as sweet as a dessert wine.

To be considered an authentic Italian Prosecco, the wine’s blend must be at least 85% Glera. Check the bottle’s label for either DOC or DOCG, Italy’s two highest-quality designations.

Brut is the most common style of Prosecco, which is good if you prefer your sparkling wine to be dry. If you love sweet wines, Dry or Extra Dry Prosecco is the best choice, as it contains up to 32g of residual sugar.

Prosecco should be served cold (38-45° F).

Italians traditionally pour Prosecco into wine or tulip glasses, which have a broader base than traditional Champagne-style flutes. This allows the bubbles to remain afloat for longer while releasing the wine’s aromas. But feel free to use a flute or simple white wine glass.

Prosecco is typically served as an aperitif or as an accompaniment to light appetizers.

There are a few different ways to open a bottle of Prosecco, but the most important thing is to be careful. Hold the bottle at an angle (pointed away from people or valuables), then turn the bottle, keeping a firm grip on the cork as you ease it slowly out of the bottle. If the cork pops out too quickly, it can cause the Prosecco to fizz over, and you don’t want to waste any of that delicious bubbly goodness.