Prosecco wine: top picks for 2025

Best Prosecco bottles to buy for the festive season

Our 10 best Prosecco wines reflect expert tasting and trusted Prosecco reviews by names like James Suckling and Robert Parker. Other criteria include real customer feedback, production methods and terroir driven expressions to ensure that our ranking reflects bottles that have reached the widest consensus amongst our readers.

Prosecco wine at a glance

Prosecco’s fresh flavor profile features green apple, pear and floral notes, pairing incredibly well with seafood and sushi. Additional common tasting notes include citrus zest, which brings to mind aromas of lemon and grapefruit, as well as white peach, acacia and wisteria flowers, rounded off by a crisp minerality. 

Aged DOCG Proseccos develop a richer texture and complex notes of toasted almond, hints of brioche and honey, offering a more refined experience than younger bottles. 

Read on to learn more about Prosecco and how factors like brands, grape blends, terroir and ideal serving conditions influence its taste, structure and food pairings.

Best Prosecco brands worth exploring 

Some of the best Prosecco brands include 500 year old wine estate Bisol, as well as Andreola and Mionetto. These producers have crafted a legacy of high quality Prosecco wines, making them widely loved among wine critics and enthusiasts alike. Come along as we journey through their history and learn how they came to be so respected. 

What is Prosecco wine? 

How is Prosecco made? 

Most traditional sparkling wines, such as Champagne and Franciacorta, are made by subjecting the base wine to a secondary fermentation process in the bottle. However, Prosecco is not like that! This sparkling wine is produced using a unique method, known as the Charmat or Martinotti method. In this section, we’ll provide a breakdown of the steps involved in making Prosecco from start to finish.

• First, the base wine has to be produced. Winemakers harvest Glera and other permitted grape varieties, including Bianchetta Trevigiana, Verdiso and Perera at peak ripeness, usually in September.
• The selected grapes are transported to the winery, where they undergo a gentle pressing to extract the juice or “must”. The must is separated from the grape skins and solids, then filtered and clarified. Afterward, it is left to settle in steel tanks kept at approximately 57°F(14°C). This phase is very important, as it preserves the wine’s freshness and organoleptic properties. 
• Following the pressing phase, the soon to be Prosecco undergoes its first fermentation. Natural yeasts are added to the juice in stainless steel tanks, which is kept that way for several weeks to allow the conversion of the grape sugars to alcohol, giving the “base wine”. 
• Secondary fermentation is a delicate phase that determines the quality of the end wine. Here, producers ferment the base wine in large steel pressurized vats or tanks, adding both natural and selected yeasts. This process can last as long as six months, during which carbon dioxide and alcohol are formed. The carbon dioxide is trapped in the wine under pressure, making it sparkling.
• Filtering, clarifying and bottling: after the second fermentation, the wine is clarified and passed through filters. Winemakers may add some sugar to achieve the desired sweetness levels before bottling the finished Prosecco for your enjoyment!

Types of Prosecco wine and what sets them apart

Although Prosecco is traditionally recognized as a white sparkling wine, its range has expanded in recent years to include styles like rosé Prosecco. Both are based primarily on the Glera Prosecco grapes but differ in terms of blending, structure and aromatic profile.

Prosecco sparkling wines are available in various sweetness levels that we have conveniently chartered in the table below:

The majority of high quality types of Prosecco fall into the Brut or Extra Dry category, offering the ideal balance of fruitiness and acidity.

On the other hand, rosé Prosecco was officially approved in 2020. It combines Glera with 10-15% Pinot Noir, lending a pink hue and flavors of red berries, rose petals and citrus. By regulation, it must be labeled Millesimato (vintage dated) and aged at least 60 days on lees. Like its white counterpart, pink Prosecco is typically produced in Brut or Extra Dry styles.

Is there such a thing as non-alcoholic Prosecco?

Non alcoholic Prosecco is real and some bottles are great for sipping on their own or for use in cocktails! But how does it work?

1. The wine undergoes traditional fermentation from Glera grapes.
2. The alcohol is removed using vacuum distillation or reverse osmosis.
3. Post dealcoholization, CO₂ is reintroduced to ensure refreshing effervescence.

This process retains essential aromas while lowering Prosecco alcohol content to under 0.5% ABV. Expect lighter body, crisp acidity and notes of green apple and citrus but without the depth of aged Prosecco DOC or DOCG.

Non alcoholic Prosecco pairs well with light appetizers like canapés, mini quiches, fresh salads and smoked salmon. Its crisp acidity also makes it a great match for salty and fried foods, as it balances and cuts right through them. Consider a tangy goat cheese or Gouda for cheese pairing options, or a prosciutto paired with Italian breads and olive oil for an Italian inspired cuisine.

What makes the price of a Prosecco bottle rise?

Prosecco price remains one of the most attractive features of this Italian sparkling wine, making it accessible without sacrificing quality. A Prosecco price comparison will show you that while there are many budget friendly bottles, there is also a world of bottles that command a hefty price tag. The cost can vary considerably depending on the rarity of the terroir on which the grapes were planted and the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that was involved in creating the wines. Some Proseccos from exceptional vintage years also command high prices, as well as exceptional bottlings as a result of collaborations with renowned designers. 

For collectors, Prosecco might seem unconventional compared to aged vintage Champagnes but there is now a growing niche market. Collectors are drawn by:

• Prosecco’s freshness combined with its mid term aging potential; and
• The rarity of certain vintages and vineyard designations.

To better understand how these factors influence the cost of Prosecco wine, see the reference table below.

Top alternatives to Prosecco for connoisseurs

While Prosecco offers excellent value at accessible prices, it is really up for aging. However, Italy is also home to some premium wines similar to Prosecco that are exceptional high-end alternatives. Here is our top selection:

These bottles are perfect for collectors and enthusiasts who would prefer sparkling wines with more depth and layered flavors compared to Prosecco. 

While Vintage Champagne gets aging praise, Prosecco is often dismissed as cheap and everyday. Yet in Conegliano Valdobbiadene, top producers are making refined, age worthy Proseccos. It’s not collector level yet, but a quiet renaissance may be underway.

Prosecco wine vintage chart: how the years affect the quality

Prosecco is generally intended for early consumption, with most bottles showing best within one or two years of release. However, certain DOCG wines, especially those from Cartizze or Conegliano Valdobbiadene vineyards, can hold up well for up to 3-5 years.

With short term aging, you may notice changes in texture and secondary aromas such as dried fruit and toasted nuts. While it doesn’t have the long aging potential of Champagne, premium bottles from the best Prosecco vintages show solid structure and aging stability.

The Prosecco vintage chart below identifies the best years to look out for.

3 Essential tips to serve Prosecco as a beginner

Prosecco is a straightforward wine for beginners thanks to its low alcohol, fresh taste and good value. Here are 3 practical tips for getting started:

1. Choose non vintage bottles as they are more  fruit forward and easy to drink.
2. Serve it cold at 43-46°F or 6-7°C; this temperature balances the Prosecco ABV and highlights freshness.
3. Pair with light food such as seafood, sushi or fresh cheese work best. Avoid rich dishes.

Bonus tip: try the mini Prosecco bottles first! They are ideal for tasting different styles without committing to a full bottle.

Use the following guide to match food with the right Prosecco style and age:

Which Prosecco glasses should I use?

Despite its iconic status, the flute is not always the best glass for enjoying Prosecco. While it preserves the bubbles, it restricts the wine’s aromatic expression, especially in higher quality DOCG or aged bottles. A wider tulip or standard white wine glass allows the aromas to fully emerge.

If you do prefer a flute, opt for one that isn’t too narrow, so the aromas have room to develop. You will find some examples of the right Prosecco glasses in our table below:

Where is the Prosecco producing region in Italy? 

The Prosecco producing region is located in northeastern Italy, specifically within Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. Globally, this area is recognised as the official Prosecco region, covering over 24,000 hectares of land and several vineyards. By law, only sparkling wines produced in this designated area can be called Prosecco. 

Here is a look at the key communes known for producing the best Italian Prosecco: 

• Valdobbiadene is located in Veneto, specifically within the Treviso province. This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for producing high quality Prosecco with high acidity and refined bubbles. Its wines show the most minerality and aging potential.
• Conegliano is also in Treviso province, a hilly countryside with a slightly warmer climate. Conegliano is also home to Italy’s oldest winemaking school, with steep vineyards on which the Glera grapes are grown. In Conegliano, winemakers often produce Prosecco Superiore DOCG wines or Rive wines, which are made from grapes grown in the most unique and steepest single vineyards. 
• Asolo also tends to focus on Prosecco Superiore DOCG crafted from Glera, Bianchetta and other local varieties. Located near the Dolomites, the region is dotted with smaller family owned wineries and Asolo wines can often age for several years and still retain freshness.

These DOCG areas represent the pinnacle of Prosecco Italy production, offering the most terroir driven and age worthy expressions.

How does Prosecco stack up against other bubbles?

Many consumers confuse white sparkling wines, assuming they all belong to the same category. Is Prosecco bubbly? Yes. But is Prosecco Champagne? Absolutely not! Prosecco is a distinct style of its own. Here’s a clear breakdown of how Prosecco compares to other popular sparkling wines:

• Prosecco vs Champagne
  Prosecco is fruitier, lighter and more affordable. Champagne is French, made using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It’s richer, toastier and more complex.
• Spumante vs Prosecco
  Spumante simply means “sparkling” in Italian and refers to any fully sparkling wine. So, all Prosecco is Spumante but not all Spumante is Prosecco. The same logic applies to sparkling wine vs Prosecco.
• Cava vs Prosecco
  Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine, made mainly in Catalonia with local grapes like Macabeo and Parellada. Compared to Prosecco, Cava is often drier, earthier and more structured.

The last point to clear up is the common confusion between Brut vs Prosecco. Brut isn’t a type of wine: it’s a dryness level, meaning the wine has less than 12 g/L of sugar. Prosecco can be Brut, but it also comes in other styles like Extra Dry, Extra Brut and Dry.

Next, we’ll introduce a comparison table of these wines to help you explore beyond the basics.

How to drink Prosecco in 3 simple steps

Knowledge of how to serve Prosecco properly can highlight the most delicate tasting notes and elevate your drinking experience. The right temperature, the right serving equipment and a positive attitude are all you need! 

To serve Prosecco like a pro;

1. Store it in a dark place at around 50–55°F (10-12°C) with the bottle standing up.
2. Serve it well chilled, ideally between 38–45°F (3-7°C) depending on the style.
3. Do not decant! This would cause a loss of effervescence.

And when it comes to how to open Prosecco, always point the bottle away from people: the pressure inside can cause the cork to pop unexpectedly. Start by removing the foil and loosening the wire cage while keeping a thumb firmly over the cork. Hold the bottle at a slight angle, grip the cork gently and rotate the bottle (not the cork) until you feel the pressure begin to push it out on its own. Let it release with a soft, controlled sigh rather than a loud pop in order to preserve the bubbles!

Elevated Prosecco food pairings

Forget the old cliché that Prosecco only pairs with aperitivo snacks. To get the most from this wine, you need to match its acidity, body and sugar level to the dish.

This guide breaks it down with practical examples of Prosecco food pairing. No fluff, just matches that work!