Prosecco Wine Guide

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is Italy's most popular sparkling wine, produced primarily in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of northeastern Italy from the Glera grape. Made using the Charmat (tank) method—where secondary fermentation occurs in large pressurized steel tanks rather than individual bottles—Prosecco preserves the grape's delicate, fresh fruit aromatics and produces a softer, frothier mousse than traditional-method sparkling wines. The hierarchy ranges from basic Prosecco DOC to the prestigious Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, where steep hillside vineyards produce wines of notably greater complexity and mineral character. Prosecco's approachable sweetness levels span from Brut Nature through Extra Dry to Dry (confusingly, the sweetest style), making it versatile for sipping, cocktails, and food pairing alike. Having surpassed Champagne in global sales volume, Prosecco has become the world's bestselling sparkling wine category, fueled by the Aperol Spritz phenomenon and its reputation as an affordable, everyday celebration wine.

Tasting Notes

Prosecco typically exhibits these flavor characteristics on the palate:

Aromas & Bouquet

On the nose, look for these aromatic notes:

Best Regions for Prosecco

Prosecco thrives in these renowned wine regions, each offering distinct expressions:

Food Pairings

Prosecco pairs exceptionally well with:

• Prosciutto and melon
• Burrata with heirloom tomatoes
• Fried calamari and seafood fritto misto
• Eggs Benedict and brunch dishes
• Light sushi rolls and ceviche
• Fresh fruit tarts and panna cotta
• Aperol Spritz and sparkling cocktails