What does prosecco taste like?
Prosecco tastes like crisp green apple and ripe pear in a glass of big, frothy bubbles: light, fruity, a little floral, usually just off dry, at about 11% alcohol.
Prosecco
light, fruity, easy bubbles
Prosecco is Italy's everyday sparkling wine, made mostly from a grape called glera in the northeast of the country. The bubbles are big and frothy rather than fine, and the flavor is all fresh fruit: apple, pear, a bit of melon and white flowers. It's made in big steel tanks instead of aging in the bottle, so you don't get the toasty, bready side of Champagne. Here's the label trick: Brut is the driest, and Extra Dry is actually a touch sweeter. Either way it's easy, cheerful and made to drink young.
Where you’ll see it
By the glass on almost every brunch and happy hour list, and as the bubbles in an Aperol spritz, a Bellini, a Hugo spritz and plenty of mimosas. Some bars even pour it on tap.
Order it if you want something fizzy, fruity and easy that won't cost Champagne money.
Quick questions
- Is prosecco sweet?
- Often a little. Brut prosecco is dry, but the common Extra Dry style has a noticeable touch of sugar, which is why prosecco tastes softer and fruitier than most Champagne.
- Is prosecco the same as Champagne?
- No. Champagne comes from France and gets its bubbles in the bottle, which makes it toastier and finer. Prosecco is Italian, made in tanks, and tastes fresher, fruitier and usually costs less.