The Most Popular Prosecco to Drink For Any Special Occasion

All bubbly is sparkling wine and prosecco wines are no different, it’s wine with bubbles, and the difference is how it’s made and where it’s from.

And lately it seems like everyone I am chatting with says, “Prosecco is my favorite sparkling wine”.  And you know I support all bubbly wine enthusiasts equally, so let’s chat about prosecco wines and what mkes them different.  

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine most well known from Italy. While there are several qualifications to be labeled Prosecco, to be called Prosecco DOC, it’s made in a very specific region of Italy using a specific grape.

Prosecco is made using the tank method, called Charmat Method, and uses primarily prosecco grapes, glera. You may also find Prosecco using chardonnay, pinot gris, and even pinot noir grapes, but in order for it to be called Prosecco it has to contain at least 85% glera grape.

Prosecco has two different levels of bubbliness: the most bubbly is spumante and a lightly sparkling Prosecco is called frizzante. There’s even a still Prosecco with no bubbles at all but what’s the fun in that? 

Thanks to the glera grape, Prosecco tends to have a more citrus and floral notes than champagne does. Also, because Champagne is aged longer you will get deeper flavors that develop during that time. 

Because prosecco is made in the Charmat Method, which is a quicker process, the price tag is a bit more reasonable making prosecco the perfect bubbly for mimosas or to top bubbly cocktails.  

Prosecco is made using the tank method and uses primarily Prosecco grapes called glera. You may also find Prosecco using chardonnay, pinot gris, and even pinot noir grapes, but in order for it to be called Prosecco it has to contain at least 85% glera grape.

Prosecco has two different levels of bubbliness: the most bubbly is spumante and a lightly sparkling Prosecco is called frizzante. There’s even a still Prosecco with no bubbles at all but what’s the fun in that? 

Thanks for the glera grape, Prosecco tends to have a more citrus or flowery taste than champagne does. Also, because Champagne is aged longer you will get deeper flavors that develop during that time. 

How Prosecco is Made

This is a much quicker method with only 4 steps and more economical than the Traditional Method which is definitely an advantage for winemakers. 

1. Harvest the grapes: which is when they are picked from the vineyard. This timing depends on the conditions of the environment that season. Typically this is done a bit earlier than other grapes to keep the sugar levels low and the acid high. Once harvested they are pressed to extract the juice 
2. Fermentation: This is done the same way as any wine. If this bubbly is going to be a blend of grapes or a non-vintage bubbly, the other wines are added now. 
3. Second Fermentation: The wine (or blend of wines) is put into a tank with yeast and sugar. The tank is then sealed so that secondary fermentation can take place. 
4. Bottling:  Once the second fermentation is complete, the dead yeast cells (lees) are removed through filtration, dosage is added to the tank and the Prosecco is bottled under pressure. 

Since this method is quicker and more economical, there are wineries that are not located in the specific region in Italy who make a sparkling wine using this exact same method.  

Prosecco DOC

Just because Italy is most well known for Prosecco, not all sparkling wine that comes from Italy can use that word.  Prosecco DOC is produced in a very specific area in Northeastern Italy.  Prosecco coming out of this particular region is protected and  has the geographic designation label of DOC, short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, or “controlled designation of origin.”

Now you might also see a label:  Prosecco DOCG which means it’s guaranteed to be a Prosecco from a region that makes a more “superior” Prosecco.

While many don’t care if it’s Prosecco DOC or Prosecco DOCG, you know when you see that label on your bottle of Prosecco that you are about to drink the real deal that has to pass many strict guidelines in order to be allowed to use that classification.

​Sweetness Levels of Prosecco

Just like all wines, there prosecco wines can be made in a range of sweetness levels.  You typically will find brut, extra dry and dry prosecco.  And I don’t know if it’s just the bottles I seem to be looking at lately, but you will easily find extra dry prosecco which will be on the sweeter side.

Best Prosecco in the Grocery Store

There was a big boom in Prosecco purchases mainly because that price tag is much friendlier than champagne and many sparkling wines.  

We gathered some popular, easy to find grocery store prosecco wines and tried them out.  Here’s our list of the best prosecco with some of our favorite features making them perfect for mimosas or bubbly cocktails.  

90 Plus Cellars

The premise of 90 Plus Cellars is to partner with wineries that produce more than they can sell under their own labels.  By promising never to disclose the name of the winery, 90 Plus Cellars sells the wine under their label.  And what’s even better, all of the wines under this label have a history of 90+ ratings on their wines. 

I have used 90 Plus Cellars to top all of my bubbly cocktails lately.  From my summer spritz series to bourbon and whiskey cocktails and it’s always delicious.  You’re going to experience tropical fruits and crisp citrus flavors with this bottle making it enjoyable on its own and with any cocktail.

Viarae Prosecco

I first saw this bottle at Target and picked it up to look at it.  The label says:  “Here’s to the dreaming, the leveling up and thejust because.”  So,  you know I had to grab it.  I mean, that is the Bubbly Side of Life.

With this bottle, you’re going to enjoy those notes of green apple and stone fruit with a hint of sweetness.  

Giuliana Prosecco

Inspired by Giuliana Rancic, I had to try this bottle because it’s all over the grocery store shelves here in Illinois. And you know I am a sucker for a label and this clean, modern label just grabbed my attention.  You’re going to experience green apple and pear on the nose.  

With its persistent bubbles, you’ll enjoy this fresh, fruity glass of bubbly on its own or in your next bellini.

Josh Cellars Prosecco

Such a great bottle to gift to a prosecco lover.  On the nose, you’re going to get notes of green apple, pear and citrus.  And with its crisp, fruit forward taste, this was super enjoyable and the bottle was gone in no time. 

LaMarca Prosecco

LaMarca is hugely popular because of it’s fresh taste making it very easy to drink. You’re going to enjoy that green apple and citrus taste with just the slightest hint of sweetness.  You can easily find it at any grocery store and the splits make it a lot of fun for any bubbly bar

Pink Prosecco

​LaMarca Prosecco Rosé

I enjoy the LaMarca prosecco rosé more than the brut to be honest.  It’s the perfect bright, crisp rosé of about 10-15% pinot noir and the remaining glera grapes.  You’re going to get floral notes along with classic citrus notes along with the red fruit you’d expect from a rosé as well.  

I always have a bottle at my house because it’s great on its own and to top cocktails.

90 Plus Cellars Rosé

This bottle of prosecco rosé says extra dry on the label and has  2g sugar per 5 oz. serving.   Made of glera grapes and pinot noir, I didn’t think it was overly sweet.   It’s very crisp and full of red fruit flavor and citrus.

Mionetto Prosecco Rosé

I saw this all over social media earlier this year and hunted for it.  It didn’t take long to appear in all the grocery stores.  

This extra dry prosecco made up of 10% pinot noir grapes and 90% glera grapes.  With notes of red berries and citrus, we really enjoyed using this prosecco rosé to create the perfect strawberry mint spritz, perfect for any hot summer day.