What Is Prosecco?
Prosecco is a white Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) or Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine made in the Veneto region of northern Italy. It is made from glera grapes, with 15% other varieties allowed. Most prosecco is sparkling (spumante) or semi-sparkling (frizzante), though rare still (uncarbonated) examples are made. The Prosecco DOC area is Italy’s largest appellation.
What Is the Difference Between Prosecco and Champagne?
Prosecco and Champagne are both bubbly with refreshing high acidity. Like Champagne, which can only come from the Champagne region of France, the name prosecco is protected by European law for wines made in the authorized production zone of the Prosecco DOC.
- Production method: Most prosecco is carbonated using the Charmat method, where the second fermentation occurs in a closed tank before the wine is bottled. Champagne is made using the méthode Champenoise, or traditional method. This technique uses a second fermentation in individual bottles as well as lees aging (aging on spent yeast) to give the wine strong bubbles and bready aromas.
- Grapes used: Prosecco is made from at least 85% glera, which is a fruity, aromatic white grape. Other grapes are allowed in smaller quantities, including chardonnay and pinot noir, two of the main grapes of Champagne. Champagne is based on these two grapes, plus the red grape pinot meunier, and does not include glera.
- Sweetness: Most prosecco is extra dry or brut, styles which have discernible sweetness. Champagne tends to be drier, with extra brut being a more common level of dosage. Those looking for bone dry wine should try brut nature (zero dosage) Champagne.
