Prosecco Wines

What is Prosecco

Prosecco is a sparkling wine produced in north eastern Italy, mainly in Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. It is made from the Glera grape and takes its name from the village of Prosecco near Trieste. Unlike Champagne, Prosecco is produced using the tank method, which preserves fresh fruit flavours and creates a lighter, more approachable style of sparkling wine.

Prosecco styles explained

There are two main styles of Prosecco. Frizzante is lightly sparkling with a softer mousse and lower pressure, while Spumante is fully sparkling with more persistent bubbles and greater structure. Spumante is the more widely recognised and popular style. Prosecco is also classified by quality levels, with DOC covering a wide area and DOCG reserved for the finest sites, including Conegliano Valdobbiadene.

Prosecco flavour profile

Prosecco is known for its fresh, aromatic character. Typical flavours include green apple, pear, citrus and white peach, often with floral notes. The wines are usually light bodied with bright acidity and a clean, refreshing finish. Most Prosecco is made in a dry to off dry style, balancing fruit sweetness with crisp freshness.

Where Prosecco comes from

The best Prosecco comes from hillside vineyards in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG zone, where altitude and soil contribute to greater finesse and complexity. Within DOCG, some wines are labelled Rive, indicating a single vineyard or specific hillside area with distinct character and higher quality potential.

When to drink Prosecco

Prosecco is designed to be enjoyed young while its fruit and freshness are at their best. It is ideal as an aperitif and works well for informal gatherings, celebrations or casual sipping. Serve well chilled to highlight its lively acidity and clean fruit flavours.

Food pairing with Prosecco

Prosecco pairs easily with light dishes such as antipasti, seafood, salads and soft cheeses. Its freshness also makes it a great match for fried foods, salty snacks and brunch style dishes, where the bubbles help refresh the palate.

FAQs

What grape is Prosecco made from?

Prosecco is made primarily from the Glera grape.

What is the difference between DOC and DOCG Prosecco?
DOCG Prosecco comes from more tightly defined areas with stricter quality rules, generally producing finer and more complex wines.

Is Prosecco sweet or dry?
Most Prosecco is dry to off dry, with fresh fruit flavours balanced by crisp acidity.

How is Prosecco different from Champagne?
Prosecco is made using the tank method, giving a lighter, fruit led style, while Champagne is bottle fermented and typically richer and more complex.