La Marca Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Docg Luminore Brut
This 100 percent Glera Prosecco launched in 2018 to commemorate La Marcas 50th anniversary. The most expensive offering among its consistently high-value range, the wine opens with vibrant pears and green apple aromas, followed by grassy, vegetal tones. The fruit character becomes even more pronounced on the palate, elevated by clean acidity and integrated bubbles. Average price: $30. Rating: 90.
Is Prosecco As Good As Champagne
Prosecco and Champagne are pretty interesting to compare because they are similar and different at the same time. Coming back to our cake example, Prosecco and Champagne are both sparkling wines . However, they have slightly different ingredients and they are made slightly differently .
For most people, the end results are the same delicious sparkling wine that tastes especially wonderful around 6 p.m. on a Friday evening. For that reason Id say whether Prosecco is as good as Champagne is down to personal preference.
What Is The Best Prosecco
Youd think thered be a long debate about what is the best Prosecco but its long been decided its Cartizze. In the same way DOCG Prosecco is better than DOC because of the location and a bunch of other criteria, Cartizze is better than DOCG. Well, technically Cartizze is DOCG its just a smaller part of the DOCG production area that has the most superior grape growing conditions.
Cartizze has, therefore, long been declared the best Prosecco.
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What Is Prosecco Wine
Prosecco wine is a famous Italian sparkling wine.
While Champagne and Prosecco are both famous sparkling wines, there are significant differences. When comparing Prosecco vs. Champagne, the difference lies in the winemaking process.
Simply put, Prosecco is made in the Charmat Method , a process by which the secondary fermentation occurs in large stainless-steel tanks. In Champagne, the secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle, known as méthode Champenoise.
And unlike Champagne, where a few varieties are permitted in Champagnes production, Prosecco only allows one variety Glera. This means that every Prosecco bottle will be a white wine, unlike the diversity of Champagnes red and white wines.
While these wines are most-commonly enjoyed on their own, they also make the classic Italian Prosecco Cocktail Aperol Spritz.
Combining Aperol, Prosecco, and sparkling water, these Prosecco cocktails are simple to make and have expanded as a globally-recognized drink.
The Region & Implied Quality
As with many wine growing countries and regions, Italys Prosecco-producing region is restricted to prevent adulteration of the product. Italy defines Prosecco as being grown in the region known as the Denominazione di Origine Controllata.
The EU formally recognizes this region legally as the Prosecco DOC (more on specifics of the sub-regions below. Each area within the DOC claims superiority for different reasons, however, there is a virtual pyramid of quality starting at the lower hills of Veneto and working up to the formidable Cartizze.
Italian Prosecco usually indicates the specific region or location it is from on the bottle. Pay attention to the label and gain some insight into what quality lies within. Here are some typical terms describing where the wine is from:
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Prosecco DOC – The broader region of nine provinces that can legally make Prosecco, according to the European Union laws. This area includes Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
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Colli Asolani DOCG – Hillside territory laying across the river from the next region, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. This area is certainly known to produce great Prosecco.
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Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Rive DOCG – This term on a bottle indicates the Prosecco originates in the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene region – well respected for its fine sparkling wines. This region holds 43 communes.
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Prosecco Vs Champagne: Tasting Notes
There are some major differences in terms of taste between these popular European sparkling wines. Before going forward, keep in mind that Italy and France have many different sparkling wines choices. Some wine producers will have a large amount of carbon dioxide, and some bottles will have relatively more sugar than other bottles.
Prosecco Tasting Notes
- Fruity Flavor. Expect to taste apple, peach, pear, and honeysuckle flavors in your glass.
- Sweetness Levels. The vast majority of Italian sparkling wines are made in a dry brut style. That said, Prosecco wines have a general reputation for being sweeter than French sparkling wines.
- Acidity Levels. Expect a relatively substantial amount of acidity. This factor is typically balanced by the
- Alcohol Percentage. On average, a bottle of Prosecco wine has 11-12% ABV.
Champagne Tasting Notes
Champagne producers have a long tradition of using the traditional method to create sparkling wines. Lets take a closer look at what you can expect to enjoy in this classic drink of celebration.
The best way to learn more about Champagne producers, champagne grapes, and the regions time-intensive methods is to plan a visit. Start planning your next wine trip today.
Introduction Of Prosecco Wine
Prosecco is often sought out as an affordable alternative to Champagne. Popularity continues to grow at a rate unsustainable by current vineyard supply and more grapes are being planted to keep up with demand.
It is becoming apparent that Italys alternative to the French Champagne is taking a foothold in a place next to rather than the second option to the bubbly wine from France. Prosecco makes its way to shelves and tables from Northeast Italy.
Over 23,000 hectares are dedicated to growing the grape that goes into Prosecco. Once called the Prosecco grape, it is now widely known as Glera . Italian laws dictate that Prosecco must be made with at least 85% Glera and come from one of three specific areas in the region.
It is important to note where the bottle of Prosecco comes from. As with Champagne, a true Prosecco comes from this Italian region specifically. However, producers around the world borrow the term Prosecco and it makes its way onto labels and can lead to confusion.
As you can see on our Wine Prices List, all the Prosecco we have compared are from the proper Italian region called Veneto. There are other bottles labeled Prosecco from outside the area but we will focus on the Italian version in this guide.
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Zardetto Prosecco Brut Doc Nv
Arriving with a slightly subdued nose, this Prosecco opens with subtle notes of white flowers and herbs. Green apple and stone fruit flavors then give way to a floral, citrusy finish. With lively acidity and vibrant bubbles, this is a great option for sparkling wine cocktails. Average price: $17. Rating: 89.
How Expensive Is Prosecco Wine
The common Prosecco cost depends on the region where its made and the supply. Some bottles from Veneto, Italy, can come as cheap as about $10, while you can buy some from stores outside of Veneto, Italy, which ranges from around $20 and above.
La Marca Prosecco offers a 375ml bottle for around $10. The Villa Sandi 2015 Cartizze Vigna La Rivetta could be considered one of the most expensive at around $45 for a 750ml bottle because of its exquisite mellowness and fineness.
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Which Prosecco Or Champagne Should I Buy
Proseccos lower price point makes it great for exploring and trying different bottles. Some producer names to keep an eye out for include Bisol, Riondo, Sommariva, and Sorelle Bronca.
Champagne comes in a much wider range of options and price points, so the stakes are higher for choosing the right bottle.
Champagne producers can be broken down into two categories: Champagne houses and whats known as grower Champagne. Champagne houses produce large quantities of wine every year and are generally very well-known. In addition to using grapes grown on their own estates, Champagne houses also purchase grapes from smaller farmers across the region. Producers in this category include Krug , Ruinart, and Billecart-Salmon, which is particularly renowned for the rosé version of its Champagne.
Grower Champagne producers, however, use only grapes from vineyards that they own and farm themselves. These producers are referred to as récoltant-manipulant in French and can be identified by the RM on their labels. Bérêche & Fils is an excellent example of this category, and Laherte Frères, while technically a negociant , is in practice a grower producer.
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Prosecco Is A Famous Fun And Fruity Lightly Sparkling White Wine Produced In The Region Of Friuli
The Prosecco DOC zone, located in Veneto , is where this admired sparkling wine is produced. In 2009, the Prosecco grape was officially renamed Glera to distinguish the geographical Prosecco DOC zone from the actual grape and elevate the region in the same way that Champagne enjoyed prominence as a place of heralded bubbly.
How Else Are Prosecco And Champagne Different From Each Other
With regard to flavor, prosecco tends to be much more fresh and bright. While many Champagnes often have fresh fruit flavors, too, these wines tend to have more complex flavor profiles and also show notes of toast, baking spice, and cream, which develop during their longer aging times.
Champagne also tends to be more structured than prosecco, making these wines much more age-worthy in the cellar. Most prosecco is meant to be consumed within the first few years of production well-crafted Champagne, on the other hand, can age for decades.
Lastly, because of the more complex production methods used to make it, Champagne generally costs significantly more than prosecco.
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How Do You Serve Prosecco
Pop your Prosecco in the fridge a few hours before you plan to drink it and it should be perfectly chilled. Serve it as you would champagne, on its own i.e. dont add ice to it . Its a different matter if youre serving it in a cocktail, but thats another topic. Ive got 12 Prosecco cocktails for you to make at home, if youre interested.
What Does Prosecco Taste Like
If youre googling what does Prosecco taste like youre a probably a complete stranger to Prosecco. Let me introduce you : Prosecco is a white sparkling wine and tastes very similar to Champagne. However, because Prosecco is widely available with different styles from very sweet to very dry, you can very easily find a style you like.
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Val De Cune Val Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene Docg
From a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Valdobbiadene, this is an attractive, mineral-driven Prosecco that arrives with a hint of confectioners sugar on the finish. Pear notes are balanced by a selection of baking spices, while direct acidity and prominent bubbles create moments of textural intrigue on the palate. Average price: $19. Rating: 90.
What Is Prosecco Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
Got a question about Prosecco? Im here to answer it. From the basics of what is Prosecco wine and what is the difference between Prosecco and Champagne to the best Prosecco brands and how to serve Prosecco, I have everything you want to know about Prosecco wine .
About me: I a native Brit who runs Prosecco tours in the Prosecco region of Italy. I have a qualification in wine and have tasted more types of brands and styles of Prosecco than I can count my job often has me tasting Prosecco for breakfast. I know, tough gig, right? If you want to find out about our wine tasting tours in Italy, you can read more here. Otherwise, lets get down to business.
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What Are The Best Prosecco Brands
The best Prosecco brands is definitely open to hot debate. My answer is based on years of visiting the Prosecco region in Italy, tasting at many wineries and watching the Prosecco production process in action. For me, the best Prosecco brands are typically the brands that come from smaller wineries and are most likely found in specialist wine shops or online compared to in the big supermarkets or stores.
If you want to know the best Prosecco brands , check out my list of the best Prosecco wineries here.
The 20 Best Proseccos To Drink In 2022
As far as sparkling wines go, Prosecco has a lot going for it. Produced in the Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia regions of Italy, its a versatile wine thats found worldwide fame. And just as it seemed Prosecco had reached the peak of its popularity, rosé entered into the bubbly Italian wine conversation in summer 2020.
The Prosecco DOC Consortiums decision to allow wineries to make pink sparklers quickly bore fruit. In 2021, Prosecco production rose by more than 25 percent, with 627.5 million bottles released to market over the course of the year. Of those, some 71.5 million arrived in the exciting new rosé guise.
Those record-breaking production stats offer stark proof that whether white or rosé Prosecco fits a number of briefs: It is a fruity and fun style of bubbly, often arriving with a touch of sweetness that adds to its approachable appeal. Where more serious drinking occasions are concerned, the category also brims with pricier offerings, made to more rigorous production standards and that deliver more layers and complexity.
Ready for each and every drinking occasion this year may throw your way, here are 20 of the best Proseccos to drink in 2022.
The Prosecco Buying Guide
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How Should You Serve Prosecco
Prosecco should be served at 40°F .
The best way to serve any sparkling wine is from an ice-bucket, where the temperature significantly cools the bottle. This offers the full experience of the sparkling wines.
While Prosecco and other sparkling wines are served in a flute-shaped glass, wine experts agree that a wider glass is better for sparkling wines. While the flute preserves the bubbles for slightly longer, the larger glass will release more of the wines aromas.
How Many Calories In Prosecco
Weve all seen that picture about the banana versus Prosecco, right? Well, its pretty close to true. Again, how many calories in Prosecco will depend on the Prosecco you choose a very sweet Prosecco is going to contain more than a Brut Zero or Extra Brut. However, you can be pretty safe in picking up a glass of Prosecco on your diet because one glass contains an average of 90 calories.
Not that Im suggesting you do it but if you want to know how many calories in a bottle of Prosecco, the answer is around 700 calories.
That picture above thats Italys beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site Prosecco region, in case you didnt know how beautiful it is.
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How Do You Open A Prosecco Bottle
Opening a Prosecco involves several essential steps.
- The first step in opening any sparkling wine is ensuring that the wine is well chilled.
- The next step is about removing the cage while keeping your thumb on the cork. This is crucial since the cork is capable of spontaneously popping.
- Remove the muselet and place your non-dominant hand over the cork.
- The actual step of removing the cork is about turning the bottle and not the cork. As the pressure inside the bottle tries to escape, it will pressure the cork outwards. It is vital to counter this by pushing against the cork to avoid a popping sound.
- The cork should be released gently with a soft release sound.
Prosecco Vs Champagne: Which Wine Grapes Are Used
Your understanding of the Prosecco vs Champagne wine debate will only be complete if you know about the grapes that go into these wines. Since we are referring to broad categories of wine, there are many variations. The following points are generally valid, but individual producers may choose a different approach.
Champagne Region: The Most Common Grapes
There are two sets of wine grapes commonly used in the Champagne region to produce Champagne wine.
The most popular wine grapes to use are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Most Champagne producers use a blend of these grape types. In addition to these popular wine grapes: Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Petit Meslier, and Arbane. In total, there are seven types of grapes permitted in Champagne wine.
Prosecco: The Most Common Grapes
In contrast to France, Prosecco is typically made from the Glera grape variety. Most Prosecco wine grapes are grown in Vento, a wine region in northern Italy. Italy is the world leader in Glera grape production, with 99% of global production. The vast majority of wines made from the Glera grape are sparkling wines, though some are still wines. The Glera Grape offers a substantial amount of acidity, which makes it refreshing.
Prosecco vs Champagne: Making Wine Cocktails
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Ca Furlan Prosecco Ros Brut Cuvee Mariana
A blend of Glera and Pinot Noir, this is a vibrant, heady sparkling rosé. Juicy strawberry aromas combine with a whiff of sour apple cider on the nose. The palate continues with ripe berry notes and a seasoning of salty minerality, which adds an extra layer of texture. This is another summer case-buy. Average price: $12. Rating: 90.
Vera Wang Party Prosecco Doc
On first appearances, this celebrity-owned Prosecco seems to be all about the branding, but serious wine awaits within its striking silver bottle. Made from hand-harvested Glera grapes, it grabs the attention with a mix of green apple and Parmesan rind aromas. Bold and fruity on the palate, racy acidity propels the wine to a crisp finish. Average price: $25. Rating: 90.
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