It’s one of the most asked questions online… what is the difference between prosecco or sparkling wine? Let’s clarify our ideas and understand what the difference is between prosecco and sparkling wine, because they are not exactly synonymous but they are not even worlds as distant as we sometimes think!

What is prosecco

From a strictly technical point of view, the Prosecco is a DOC white wine (Designation of origin) or DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin), for those of Montello and the Asolo Hills or the Prosecco of Conegliano Valdobbiadene.

What are we talking about when we say sparkling wine?

Let’s talk about one wine category: those that when the bottle is opened they produce foam, caused by the presence of carbon dioxide produced by fermentation and therefore not added. Sparkling wine can be produced with classic methodalso called champenoise, or with the Martinotti-Charmat method. There are variations of sparkling wines on the market dry, extra dry, brut and extra brut: these terms indicate the sweetness of the sparkling wine.

The difference between prosecco or sparkling wine

The bubbly winebeing a category of wines, it can be produced in any area and with any grape variety. The proseccohowever, which is a DOC or DOCG, can be produced only in some areas of the Veneto he was born in Friuli Venezia Giulia and come on Glera, Verdiso, Pinot bianco, grigio or nero vines and only with Charmat method. Wine, in general, is produced through alcoholic fermentation: the sugars naturally present in the grapes are transformed into alcohol and carbon dioxide. To obtain a sparkling wine, a second fermentation is necessary in order to capture the carbon dioxide inside the bottle, creating the bubbles. The Charmat method requires the second fermentation to take place in stainless steel tanks and not in the bottle. The result is a fresh and aromatic wine, with lower production costs and immediately ready to drink.

Analogies and curiosities

There is no difference between prosecco and sparkling wine as regards the varieties, influenced by the level of sugars present: for both we speak of dry, brut and the various intermediate nuances. Did you know, however, that this is not necessarily the case the prosecco is it a sparkling wine? It can, in fact, be Also sparkling (a version with “less bubbles” so to speak) or stopped (also called quiet). The latter is a perfect white for starters or light first courses, with a straw yellow color and a fresh flavour, also thanks to the fruity notes.