Prosecco, which is grown in the lush vineyards of northeastern Italy, has become one of the world’s most popular sparkling wines. This bubbling elixir has transcended boundaries, enchanting palates with its delightful bubbles and crisp flavor over centuries. Prosecco has evolved from a well-kept Veneto region secret to a global phenomenon celebrated for its versatility and accessibility, with a rich history rooted in tradition.

In this article, The Premium Selection invites you to embark on an enthralling journey through the origins, production process, and cultural significance that has made Prosecco an inseparable part of celebratory moments around the world. Join us as we raise a glass to this sparkling wonder and discover the story behind Prosecco’s allure.

Prosecco Wine 2023 Guide by The Premium Selection

What is Prosecco Wine?

Prosecco is a dry sparkling liquor produced in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Glera grapes make up the majority of the blend, with very minor amounts of the grape varieties Verdiso, Perera, and Bianchetta present.

Prosecco is renowned for having a flavour that is light, fruity, and energising and frequently features notes of apple, pear, and peach. It is frequently made using the Charmat method, also known as the tank method or cuve close, in which the secondary fermentation that produces the bubbles occurs in sizable stainless steel tanks as opposed to individual bottles. Because of advancements in technology, now it is more widely consumed and more reasonably priced prosecco sparkling wine substitute.

Prosecco is available in a variety of forms, including totally sparkling (Spumante), semi-sparkling (Frizzante), and even still (Tranquillo). However, the fully sparkling variety is the one that is most frequently found. It is frequently used as an aperitif, and because it contains less alcohol than certain other sparkling wines, such Champagne, it is appropriate for less formal social gatherings.

Is Prosecco Champagne?

Champagne has been around for 175 years longer than proseco and is prepared using the classic process with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. It’s all because of the legislation that Prosecco isn’t Champagne.

Prosecco’s name is protected by European law and can only come from a certain territory in Italy, whereas Champagne can only be made in France’s Champagne region.

Prosecco is classified into three quality levels: DOC, DOCG, and Superiore. The most popular and typically least expensive is DOC, whereas DOCG is a higher-quality label made in two distinct places.

Superiore is the best prosecco grade of the three and is produced in Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG and Asolo Prosecco DOCG.

Where is Prosecco Produced?

Proseco wine is made in northeastern Italy. It is produced solely in nine provinces of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions.

The Prosecco DOC zone encompasses the well-known towns of Venice, Padua, Verona, Treviso, and Trieste, as well as the plains and farms that surround them.

The Prosecco DOC zone is critical to the production of prosecco since it ensures that the output meets the standards to be labelled as prosecco.

This is also why prosecco wines from this region are frequently of higher quality than those from other regions, as they must comply to tighter regulations.

The exceptional quality of grapes cultivated in the Prosecco DOC zone is critical for producing the distinctive Prosecco.

Why is Prosecco Superior DOCG considered better than DOC?

Because it is only made from grapes harvested in Italy’s Valdobbiadene and Conegliano regions’ steepest and most difficult hills, Prosecco DOCG is said to be superior to Prosecco DOC. These regions’ distinctive soil and microclimates enable the Glera grapes to produce flavours that are both nuanced and potent.

In comparison, Prosecco DOC grapes are farmed over a greater region under less stringent quality control and standards. Wine prosecco DOC usually lack the complexity and complexity of Prosecco DOCG wines.

Additionally, Prosecco DOCG wines are produced with ancient techniques and must successfully pass strict tests in order to be recognised, guaranteeing excellence and consistency in every bottle. Due to this, Prosecco Superiore DOCG is frequently recognised as the highest quality Prosecco and is the prefered option for those looking for a sparkling wine experience that is absolutely unparalleled.

How Is Prosecco Made?

The most popular way for making prosecco is the Charmat technique.

Large stainless steel pressure tanks are still used in this early 20th-century technique to carbonate the wine. Larger amounts of sparkling wine are produced using the Charmat technique than ever before.

Col fondo, a traditional way of producing Prosecco, is a prefered choice among “natural” or low-intervention producers.

With this technique, wine that is still fermenting is put into bottles where it becomes quite carbonated. Because of the sediment in the bottle, this process imparts a distinctive texture and yeasty flavour.

Additionally, these wines are drier than Prosecco produced using the Charmat technique since there is no additional dose.

The finest vines may be found in the slopes surrounding Asolani and Valdobbiadene.

The Conegliano-Valdobbiandene area is a breathtakingly gorgeous collection of green hills covered with grapes. Because it rains so much here, the best vineyards are often found on southern facing hills with adequate drainage and mild winds that dry the grapes off after their daily shower. Prosecco has been produced in this region for almost 300 years, but older varieties were likely less bubbly.

18K sensi prosecco is straw yellow, and it has lingering bubbles. Green apple and citrous fruit notes from the nose carry over to the palate of this light and elegant wine. The history and tradition of the founding families’ Tuscan winemaking are deeply ingrained in Sensi’s roots.

How to Serve Prosecco?

For the ideal Prosecco experience, chill it between 6 and 10 degrees!

You should use a tulip-shaped glass for Prosecco. The tulip glass is perfect because it is tall and narrow, which prolongs the elegance of the bubbles and allows more of the flowery scents of the wine to be captured by the bigger bulb at the top.

Instead of the flute, use a bigger wine glass. This is the best way to enjoy Prosecco’s flavours and fragrances.

Once the cold Prosecco has been poured into your glass, sip it alone or in delectable drinks like the spritz, mimosa, or bellini. Never even consider ageing it.

Prosecco tastes finest when consumed right away rather than after some time has passed. Prosecco’s flavours are concentrated, therefore it’s ideal to consume it young and vibrantly.

Perfect Mimosa Wine

For the ideal mimosa if you enjoy traditional brunches, Prosecco is our top recommendation. Orange juice’s citrous flavours are enhanced by the fruitiness of this wine, which pairs nicely with brunch-style fare. By the way, 2 parts sparkling wine to 1 part juice makes a fantastic mimosa.

Pairing Food with Prosecco

Prosecco is surprisingly adaptable and goes well with a variety of food types and preparations. It’s one of those wines that goes well with the main course as well as an aperitif (served before eating).

The idea behind matching Prosecco with medium-intensity foods like chicken, tofu, shrimp, or pig dishes is to utilise it as a palette cleanser. Prosecco pairs nicely with hot curries and South-east Asian food including Thai, Vietnamese, Hong Kong, and Singaporean cuisine because of its sweet aromatics and bubbles.

Is Prosecco sweet or dry wine?

Although Prosecco is often dry or extra-dry, its sweet fruity flavours of green apple, pear, honeydew melon, and honeysuckle give it a naturally sweeter taste.

So, while Prosecco is officially called as a dry prosecco wine, it has a definite sweetness to it.

What Does Prosecco Taste Like?

With no tannins and a zingy acidity between 11.5% to 13.5% ABV, it has a dry, light-bodied flavour. Perfect for a cool drink.

You may anticipate notes of green apple, honeydew, pear, lager, and cream in Prosecco. Although it normally isn’t as effervescent as Champagne, it can nevertheless have various perlage degrees.

The majority of Prosecco wines are dry bruts, but you may also find varieties with varying degrees of sweetness. There are variations to suit your taste, whether you want a dry, crisp Prosecco or something a little sweeter.

How Long Does Prosecco Wine Last?

This Prosecco must be drank within a year after purchase, and once opened, it must be done so quickly.

Prosecco should be kept between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, or 50 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit, in a cold, dry atmosphere.

It’s best to consume it within a year, so don’t store it in the refrigerator for longer than a few days.

However, you should drink the Prosecco within three days of popping the cork since after that point, the flavour will start to wane. The oxidation process starts when the bottle is opened, which results in the Prosecco losing some of its fizzy bubbles and becoming flat.

So, consume all of the Prosecco at once if you want to enjoy it to the fullest.

Tips on Finding High-Quality Prosecco

The classification is visible on the bottleneck.

Prosecco DOC:

The most prevalent grade level of Prosecco, produced in nine provinces across Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

DOCG Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore:

Grapes are blended from a smaller, more focused growing region in the hills between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano. These hills are well-known for producing some of the most intense Prosecco wines.

DOCG Asolo Prosecco:

Across the river from the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene area is a little hillside region producing superb wines of great quality. On the bottle, wines are labelled Asolo Prosecco (and previously: Colli Asolani).

Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Rive DOCG:

Wines produced in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene from specified communes or vineyards. There are 43 communes that can have this designation.

DOCG Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze:

A 265-acre micro-region just outside of Valdobbiadene (towards the Westside) that is widely regarded as one of the world’s best Prosecco terroirs.

Conclusion:

Beautiful prosecco sparkling wine which is white wine produced in Italy’s Veneto area from the Glera grape.

This light and refreshing flavor complements a variety of foods, making it suitable for any occasion. Even though Prosecco isn’t Champagne—it has its own set of rules governing where it may be produced—it boasts some pleasantly sweet flavors.

You should have no trouble picking the ideal bottle for your next event with three basic styles of Prosecco to choose from: Brut, Extra Dry, and Dry. If you like your prosecco in a can or from a tap, don’t panic; it’s still delicious. Remember that freshness is essential in Prosecco, so consume your bottle within a year of purchase and within a few days of opening.

Grab a Glass and Toast to a Fantastic Night with Friends!