- Last updated on January 4, 2022
Prosecco is the most famous sparkling wine in Italy. It is as well the Italian wine most exported worldwide.
Apple, lemon, pear, and melon are typical of Prosecco’s aromas. The flavors, intensity, and styles vary depending on the producer and his secret blending formula.
Prosecco has a pyramid of quality as various Prosecco styles and versions exist. At the top, you’ll find Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze DOCG and the bottom Prosecco DOC.
Our Best Prosecco Selection
- Best Overall: Bisol Cartizze Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Dry
- Best Value: Altaneve Prosecco Superiore N.V.
- Best under $20: Paladin Millesimato Extra Dry Prosecco 2019
- Best Brut: Fantinel One & Only Brut Prosecco 2017
- Best Extra Dry: Ruggeri Giall'Oro Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry N.V.
- Best Cartizze: Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Cartizze Superiore
- Best Superiore: Della Vite Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore N.V.
- Best Treviso: Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine PassioneSentimento Prosecco N.V.
- Best Rosé: Altaneve Rosé
- Best for Aperol Spritz: La Marca Prosecco N.V.
- Best under $30: Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
- Best under $40: Ruggeri Giustino B. Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 2019
12 Best Prosecco Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 12 Best Prosecco so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
The color is pale yellow, the perlage is lively, persistent and subtle. Elegant meadow flowers, pleasantly fruity with hints of apple, pear and peach.
The flavor is fruity, full balanced, with sweetness contained and accompanied by intense fruity and elegant.
It’s a Cartizze and as such it’s at the top of Prosecco Pyramid of Quality. Yet, it’s priced extremely well in comparison with its “peers”.
If you have never tried a Cartizze, it’d be a good occasion to give it a go.
Vivino’s tips: Winner of Vivino’s 2020 Wine Style Awards: Italian Prosecco | Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 45% more.
Region: Italy, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Tasting notes: Peach, Pear Honeysuckle.
Crisp character and unique, floral aroma features notes of peach, pear and honeysuckle. The elegant bouquet, balanced acidity and sweetness are complex yet approachable, giving it great versatility.
Seriously guys, for this price it’s a crime if you don’t go for it!
Vivino’s tips: Popular among Vivino users. More than 100 ratings.
Region: Italy, Prosecco.
Tasting notes: Pear, Citrus, Elderflower.
Bright straw yellow. Fine and lingering perlage. Clearly fruity with hints of apple, pear and a delicate note of citrus fruit, which delicately expresses flowery hints.
Soft and elegant, with a very pleasant fizziness. Tangy and lingering, fabulously lively and light at every glass. Ah, btw you can have it for less than $15, don’t wait too long…
To be Unique: this is the vocation of Fantinel “One & Only”. Vintage and single-vineyard. You’ll not be disappointed!
An evocative name, which gives a glim on the philosophy that has marked the conception and production of this precious Prosecco Brut and enhances its high quality and uniqueness in Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
Region: Italy, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear, Acacia flowers.
Light straw yellow tending to pale green. Its crystal clarity is laced with a persistent peerage of fine bubbles.
The bouquet, although persistent and intensely fruity, is extremely delicate which brings mature golden apples and acacia flowers readily to mind.
It is gently sweet and fresh on the palate and pleasantly light in alcohol, extremely smooth and well-balanced with long and fruity finish.
Vivino’s tips: Popular among Vivino users. More than 300 ratings.
Region: Italy, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Tasting notes: Green Apple, Pear, Peach, Lime.
Cartizze is at the top of the Prosecco pyramide of quality. This wine offers and incredible quality to price compared to others Cartizze. I’ll be quick if I were you…
Intense and yet delicate bouquet of flowers and ripe fruits. Velvety, round and well balanced to the taste. It’s an elegant prosecco, light and crisp.
Vivino’s tips: Editor’s note: “Indulgent vegan Prosecco from the Delevingne sisters that’ll make you fall in love with the wine style again.”
Region: Italy, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear, Citrus.
This is a delicious crisp and fresh 4.3 star wine from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore. Being a Prosecco Superiore it seats right below the top of Prosecco Pyramid of Quality.
Expect apple, pear, citrus and elderflower. It pairs well with crab and salmon. The only downside is the price. What to do? Simple, just be patient and wait for the right offer…😉
Vivino’s tips: Among top 7% of all wines in the world.
Region: Italy, Treviso
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear Citrus.
This is the entry level of the Prosecco Pyramid of Quality. It has a brilliant straw yellow color, with greenish highlights; its nose is fruity and rather intense and it is fresh and well-balanced on the palate.
It’s a Brut, so quite dry, light and refreshing. It pairs well with salads and antipasti.
Vivino’s tips: Among top 1% of all wines in the world.
Region: Italy, Valdobbiadene
Tasting notes: Pear, Strawberry, Honey.
This Prosecco Rosé has a lovely blush color and a wonderful full flavor that is both delicate and intense, with a lively bouquet of fruity and floral notes.
The maturation of the wine combined with the extended secondary fermentation develop a crisp body, a delicate perlage and an elegant finesse.
If you like Rosé, this prosecco was made for you!
Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 31% more.
Region: Italy, Prosecco
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear, Peach.
Region: Italy, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear, Green Melon.
It has a pale straw yellow color, with brilliant highlights. Its nose is aromatic, with hints of acacia blossom and wisteria.
It offers a fresh, citrus-like flavor, with nuances of Golden Delicious apples and honey and an appealing vein of acidity on the finish.
If you are new to the Prosecco world, start with this bottle.
Vivino’s tips: 2019 is the oldest vintage available
Region: Italy, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene.
Tasting notes: Apple, Pear, Grapefruit.
This Prosecco is for those of you who wants to try something special and are happy to pay that extra premium for it.
This wine has subtle highlights of jasmine flower and stone fruit. The bouquet is nuanced but it is also powerful in terms of its pristine sharpness and focus.
Buying Guide to Prosecco
It’s not just about which Prosecco you should buy. There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more. The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview of all these topics.
Prosecco Overview
Here you find an overview of where Prosecco is most commonly planted.
Glera is the main grape used for Prosecco, at least 85% of the total. The remaining 15% can come from various other grapes among which there is Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Glera Lunga, Perera, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Verdiso, and Pinot Noir generally used for the rosé version.
Grapes
Glera, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio
ABV
9% - 11%
Main Regions
Italy: Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Other Regions
Australia: King Valley
Slovenia
Grapes
Glera, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio
ABV
9% - 11%
Main Regions
Italy: Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia
Other Regions
Australia: King Valley
Slovenia
Prosecco Taste Profile
These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Prosecco.
Color
Pale Lemon
Persistent Bubbles
Nose
Apple, Pear
Citrus
White Peach
Honeydew Melon,
Honeysuckle
Palate
Apple, Pear
Honeysuckle
Brut to Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Color
Pale Lemon
Persistent Bubbles
Nose
Apple, Pear
Citrus
White Peach
Honeydew Melon,
Honeysuckle
Palate
Apple, Pear
Honeysuckle
Brut to Dry
High Acidity
Light Body
Prosecco Food Pairing
These are some food pairing suggestions for Prosecco.
Appetitizer
Tofu,
Parma Ham
Meat
Chicken
Pork
Spicy Curries
Fish
Shrimp
Grilled Fish
Fried Fish
Cheese
Semi-Soft (Baby Swiss)
Hard Cheese (Parmigiano)
Appetitizer
Tofu,
Parma Ham
Meat
Chicken
Pork
Spicy Curries
Fish
Shrimp
Grilled Fish
Fried Fish
Cheese
Semi-Soft (Baby Swiss)
Hard Cheese (Parmigiano)
Serve and Store Prosecco
Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Prosecco.
Decant
Nope
Glass
Flûte
Serve at
43 - 50 °F
6 - 10 °C
Store for
1 to 2 years
Best bottles up to 7 years
Decant
Nope
Glass
Flûte
Serve at
43 - 50 °F
6 - 10 °C
Store for
1 to 2 years
Best bottles up to 7 years
What are the Prosecco Styles?
There are 3 Prosecco types:
- Tranquillo, i.e. still wine without bubbles and with a minimum ABV of 10.5%.
- Spumante, i.e. sparkling wine and with a minimum ABV of 11%.
- Frizzante, i.e. semi-sparkling with less lingering bubbles and with a minimum ABV of 9%.
Most Prosecco wines are either Spumante or Frizzante, regardless of the DOC [1] or DOCG [2].
Our Verdict
Prosecco is the most famous sparkling wine in Italy. It is as well the Italian wine most exported worldwide. Apple, lemon, pear, and melon are typical of Prosecco’s aromas.
What to do next?
Be sure to serve your Prosecco at the right temperature. Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro! Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Prosecco vs Champagne, Brut vs Extra Dry, white, red, and rosé wines or Champagne?
FAQ
Here you find some of the most frequently asked questions about Prosecco.
What does Prosecco mean?
The name Prosecco comes from the Italian village of Prosecco in the province of Trieste, Italy.
What is Prosecco history?
The oldest trace of Prosecco’s name appears to be from mid-1500, with the name of Prosecho. Only in the mid-1700 did the name Prosecco appear in the book Il Roccolo Ditirambo.
To these days, it’s only in the second half of 1900 that the vinification techniques have improved and with them the quality of the wine. Prosecco is usually made with Charmat Method, aka Tank or Martinotti Method.
At the begging of 2000, it started gaining popularity in the US thanks to Mionetto, the largest Prosecco exporter. In 2010 UK only was consuming roughly one-quarter of Italian production.
Where do Prosecco’s grapes grow best?
Prosecco’s grapes grow best in moderate climates, like the Prosecco region in the Northern East part of Italy. The cooling breezes off the Adriatic slow the grapes ripening, allowing them to maintain a high level of acidity which is perfect for sparkling wines.
When is the perfect time to drink Prosecco?
Traditionally Prosecco is the perfect wine for the “aperitivo”, aperitif in English. You should not limit yourself to that though. Like Champagne, Prosecco is extremely versatile, you can have it on its own or throughout a meal.
I’m gonna say it, for me every day is a perfect day for a good Prosecco!
Is Prosecco Sweet?
The Prosecco sweetness level depends on the amount of sugar added during the dosage. There are typically three sweetness levels for Prosecco: Brut, Extra-Dry and Dry. Extra-Dry is the most common type.
- Brut less than 12 g/l of residual sugar, aka RS.
- Extra Dry between 12 to 17 g/l RS.
- Dry between 17 to 32 g/l RS. Despite the name, it’s noticeably sweet.
You can find here the sweetness level for white, red, and rosé wine for comparison.
What is the Prosecco Pyramid of Quality?
For Prosecco there’s a pyramid of quality, there are 4 categories and 6 Prosecco types:
At the top of the pyramid you’ll find two DOCG:
- Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG
- Rive – Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG
Cartizze and Rive have very limited production areas: 289 acres for the first and 12 communes for the second. Only the wine made from these two specific areas can be labeled in this way and it’s considered the best in terms of quality. On the label, you’ll find
One level below you’ll find other two DOCG:
- Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG
- Asolo Prosecco DOCG
The first wine is produced only on the hills between Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, and Vittorio Veneto which is made of 15 communes. The second is the wine produced near the hills of Asolo which covers 19 communes.
At the third level below you’ll find the first DOC:
- Prosecco di Treviso DOC
This wine is produced from a much wider area of roughly 95 communes in the Treviso province.
At the bottom of the pyramid you’ll find the last DOC:
- Prosecco DOC
This wine is produced across 556 communes, 9 provinces and 2 regions: Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
When is the International Prosecco day?
There is a national Prosecco day and it’s the 13th August of every year!
What is the Italian wine most widely exported?
Prosecco is the Italian wine most widely exported. In 2019 Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene have become part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Is Prosecco used for Cocktails?
Oh yes! Prosecco is so versatile that it’s also used in cocktails. Have you ever heard of Spritz or Bellini cocktails? They are both made with Prosecco.
What's Prosecco perlage
Prosecco bubbles usually last longer than beers but less than Champagne. That’s because Prosecco has roughly 3 atmospheres of pressure vs 1.5 for beers and 5-6 for Champagne.
Is there a Rosé Prosecco?
For the Rosé lover good news for you! Since 2020 a Prosecco Spumante Rosé DOC version has been introduced. It must contain 85% of Gleara and 10%-15% of Pinot Noir.
What’s Prosecco's typical price range?
Prosecco is an affordable wine, you can easily find a good bottle within a $10-$20 price range. If you are after the Cartizze or Rive then the price could go over $40+.
