All About Prosecco: Italy’s Most Famous Bubble

Whether you enjoy the occasional glass of sparkling wine, we can pretty much guarantee that you’ve had a glass of Prosecco at some point. Prosecco has become so popular that in 2023 producers even sparked concerns of a global shortage. So, what is Prosecco exactly? What makes it different from Champagne? And why do people love it so much? While you’re at it, pour a glass of this marvelous Italian sparkling wine, because we’re about to break down everything you need to know about Prosecco.

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from Italy made using 85% Glera grapes. And in case you’re not sure, wine is an alcoholic drink made from fermented grape juice. Technically, Prosecco can be flat with little to no bubbles, known as tranquillo, and frizzante, with some bubbles (a light sparkle). However, the most well-known Prosecco is a fully sparkling wine.

The Engaging History of Prosecco

Prosecco is one of the best-selling Italian wines. It’s light, floral, and with a beautiful fragrance. Because of these characteristics, it’s now a wine people all over the world love and use to toast their happy occasions. Although it has become extremely popular in the last decade or so, the history of Prosecco is long and engaging.

History Tied to the Territory

A reference to Prosecco was found in literature that dates back to 77 AD. What is considered to be the first-ever mention of it was found in Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia, which is a naturalistic treatise. Pliny praised the goodness of the Glera wine, which was a favorite of the wife of Emperor Augustus. Back then, the wine was known for its healing properties.

The earliest known mention of the actual word “Prosecco” was in a travel notebook from 1593. It’s in this document that writer Fynes Moryson makes note of a wine named Prosecco, which was from northeast Italy. The origin place of the wine was in a small town near Trieste called Prosecco. The small town gave its name to the wine and a castle. The castle was the exact place where the wine was first produced. Over time, the production area expanded to the east and west.

How Is Prosecco Made?

The vineyards where Glera is cultivated are harvested in September. This is when the grapes have reached the right ripeness. Glera is a delicate grape with very light skin, so it’s crucial to have proper monitoring of the winemaking process from the moment the grapes enter the cellar.

The Charmat Method

Prosecco gets its characteristic effervescence from the process winemakers use to produce it. Known as the Charmat Method, this approach is a stark departure from the labor-intensive, time-consuming method used to craft Champagne. Winemakers start by producing a base white wine from Glera grapes. Then they mix yeast and sugar with the base wine in a pressure-resistant tank to create a second fermentation.

This second fermentation is where the magic happens. The carbon dioxide produced during fermentation is trapped in the tank, infusing the wine with those delightful bubbles that dance on your palate. Unlike Champagne, where the second fermentation takes place in individual bottles, the Charmat Method allows for a more efficient and cost-effective production process.

Shorter Maturation Process

One of the most significant advantages of the Charmat Method is the relatively short maturation period. From vine to bottle, Prosecco takes only one to six weeks to produce, compared to the months or years required for Champagne. This shorter timeline means that Prosecco costs less to produce than its French counterpart, making it an accessible luxury for wine enthusiasts.

What Does Prosecco Taste Like?

At first glance, you’ll instantly notice Prosecco’s vibrant bubbles and fruity aromas. Notes of crisp green apple, white peach, and melon permeate the senses with every refreshing sip.

Let’s look at the different forms of Prosecco for a more in-depth look at its taste.

Types of Prosecco

One glass of Prosecco may taste entirely different from the next, depending on how fizzy it is and how much residual sugar is left after fermentation during winemaking. These are commonly labeled as:

• Sparkling (Spumante)
• Semi-Sparkling (Frizzante)
• Still/No Bubbles (Tranquillo)
  

Prosecco Sweetness Levels

Ranging from super dry to intensely sweet, Prosecco comes in a range of sweetness:

• Ultra Brut – The driest style, with almost no residual sugar. Sometimes labeled as Zero Dosage or Brut Zero. Not commonly available outside Italy
• Extra Brut – A very dry Prosecco.
• Brut – Classic dry sparkling wine, similar in dryness to Brut Champagne. This is the most common style of Prosecco.
• Extra Dry – Sweeter than Brut. A crowd-pleaser that’s not too sweet.
• Dry – Noticeably sweeter.
• Demi-Sec – The sweetest option.

Prosecco Wine Classification

Northeast Italy has nine different provinces that make up the growing area where the best Prosecco wine is made. Depending on where the Prosecco is made and what kinds of quality standards it’s required to meet, you’ll notice different labels on each bottle.

Prosecco DOC

Not every Prosecco is worthy of the DOC label, which stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata or “controlled designation of origin.” According to European Union law, Prosecco worthy of DOC can only be produced in a limited area near Trieste, which absorbed the former city of Prosecco. In fact, Prosecco DOC can only be produced in nine provinces between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Prosecco Superiore DOCG

This classification label stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, or “designation of controlled and guaranteed origin,” which is even more exclusive, as these grapes can only be grown in a small part of Veneto. Much of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG is produced in the hills of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene appellation.

Superiore di Cartizze

Around 260 acres, Cartizze Hill is famous for growing the absolute highest quality of Prosecco, labeled Grand Cru. The combination of steep hills and more hands-on growing and picking methods ensure the highest standards are met.

Is Prosecco the Same as Champagne?

In the glass, and even in taste, Prosecco and Champagne may seem the same. And to most people, the main difference is the much lower price of Prosecco. In wine terms, Champagne and Prosecco are different drinks. The three main differences are:

Production Method: Champagne and Prosecco use different methods for creating the bubbles in their sparkling wines. Champagne adds yeast into the bottles, known as the Méthode Champenoise. Prosecco adds it into pressurized tanks and bottles it afterwards, known as the Charmat Method.

Grapes: Champagne uses a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Prosecco is made from Glera grapes, which can be blended with up to 15% of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio grapes.

Where It’s Made: Champagne is from France and Prosecco is from Italy. Due to legal rules called “designation of protected origin,” Champagne is legally protected and can only be labeled Champagne if it’s produced in the Champagne region of France. Prosecco has some protection, but it is not as strong as Champagne.

Is Prosecco as Good as Champagne?

For most people Prosecco and Champagne are interchangeable. They are both delicious sparkling wines. Technically the method of producing Champagne leads to finer bubbles.

Due to the grapes, both drinks have different flavor profiles. Champagne tends to have almond, citrus, and toasted flavors. This differs from Prosecco’s green apple, white peach, and melon notes.

Ultimately, it’s down to personal taste and individual bottles, though we would rather serve a good quality Prosecco than a bad quality Champagne just for the sake of status.

Why Is Champagne More Expensive Than Prosecco?

As we have seen, one of the key differences between Prosecco and Champagne is the production method. Champagne bubbles are formed in the bottle while Prosecco bubbles are created in pressurized steel tanks. Simply, Champagne production takes more time and work. Together with Champagne’s long history, reputation, and protected designation, Champagne costs more.

Does All Prosecco Come from Italy?

While Italian Prosecco has its roots in ancient times, the grape has long been grown in Slovenia, and more recently in Australia’s King Valley. The latter saw an influx of Italian settlers and is known for other Italian varieties like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.

Currently Australian Prosecco is enjoying success, and its producers battle to continue to use the name for both the grape and the wine. These producers argue that Prosecco is the long-established variety name and therefore doesn’t deserve protection. This dispute has created antagonism during trade talks with the European Union.

How to Serve Prosecco

The ideal serving temperature for Prosecco is around 40–45°F (4–7°C). This is the temperature at which the wine’s flavors and aromas are most pronounced. If the wine is too cold, the flavors will be muted. If the wine is too warm, the bubbles will dissipate too quickly.

To serve Prosecco at the ideal temperature, chill the wine in the refrigerator for several hours or in a bucket of ice for 30 minutes. Once the wine is chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and let it warm at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Glassware Selection

The best glassware for serving Prosecco is a tulip-shaped glass. This type of glass allows the wine’s effervescence to be displayed to its best advantage. The narrow opening of the glass also helps to concentrate the wine’s aromas, allowing you to enjoy them to the fullest.

How to Store Prosecco

Prosecco should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place out of direct sunlight. You should keep it in a spot that has a stable temperature (ideally around 50–54°F or 10–12°C). So, if you’re keeping it in a kitchen cupboard, choose one that’s not next to the oven. If you’re storing it for more than a week, keep it on its side so that the cork doesn’t dry out—a dry cork can shrink, letting oxygen in and bubbles out. Although it is a popular practice, don’t store your Prosecco in the fridge for more than a few days. The cold and lack of humidity can change the flavor.

How Long Does Prosecco Last?

Prosecco is a young wine that generally doesn’t age well and is definitely not one to keep as a vintage wine. Prosecco is at its best within the first 12 months of purchase. Between 12 and 24 months, there is a risk it will spoil.

Once it’s opened: Opened, Prosecco typically lasts a couple of days depending on how you store it. You will get the most out of your opened bottle if you keep it in the fridge and use a proper sparkling wine stopper.

To Mix or Not to Mix?

Prosecco is typically enjoyed unmixed, but you are free to experiment with whatever flavor combinations you find intriguing. On its own, it offers a fruity and floral taste. Because of this flavor profile, the crisp bubbly wine is often used as a palate cleanser when consuming intense, bold dishes.

You can also use this sparkling favorite to create mixed drinks like the Bellini or Spritz cocktail. Instead of using the more traditional Champagne, you can pour some Prosecco into a glass of fresh orange juice to create a luxurious Mimosa. Another mixed drink it pairs well with is Sgroppino, an Italian favorite that contains a blend of vodka and lemon sorbet.

Food Pairings

Prosecco is a versatile wine that can be paired with a wide variety of foods. Some of the best pairings for Prosecco include:

• Light seafood dishes, such as shrimp scampi, grilled scallops or sushi
• Creamy pasta dishes, such as fettuccine Alfredo or carbonara
• Salty foods like cured meats and Italian cheeses
  

Fruity desserts, such as tiramisu, cheesecake or fruit tart

How to Choose a Good Prosecco Wine

Craving a bottle of Prosecco, but not sure where to begin? Check out a few helpful tips for choosing a good bottle of Prosecco wine:

Make sure it is authentic: To be a true Prosecco wine, it needs to be produced in Italy and contain at least 85% Glera grape. Check the information on the label or retailer’s website, or ask your server for a recommendation if dining out.

Check the DOC and DOCG: Both of these acronyms serve as a quality assurance guarantee, showing that the bottle follows specific rules for the length of time the wine was aged, the method of production and if additional grapes were used (and what type).

Decide what variety you prefer: As we discussed, Prosecco can be made in different ways—the most popular being Brut—and it’s just a matter of personal preference, the one you think is best.

Only drink from the bottle: Today you might come across what’s labeled as “Prosecco on tap.” Even though it may seem convenient, this method of serving will diminish a lot of the signature fizz. For the most full-bodied bubbly experience, opt for a bottle instead.

Last Call

Prosecco wine is not just a delightful bubbly—it is a reflection of history, tradition, and innovation. From its humble beginnings in the vineyards of northeastern Italy to its global popularity today, Prosecco has earned a place among the world’s most respected sparkling wines.

Whether you prefer a dry Brut, something sweeter, or as a key ingredient in a creative cocktail, Prosecco offers a world of flavors and experiences to explore. By understanding its origins, serving it with care, and pairing it with the right foods, you can unlock the potential of this effervescent treasure.