What is Prosecco?
Prosecco is a sparkling wine from northeast Italy made mostly from the Glera grape, and it tastes light, fruity and easygoing, like green apple, pear and a little honeysuckle with big, frothy bubbles.
Prosecco is the bottle that turned bubbles into a Tuesday thing. It's cheaper than Champagne, fruitier, and made to be drunk young and cold. If you've had a mimosa at brunch, there's a good chance it was Prosecco.
- Tastes like
- Green apple, pear, melon, a hint of flowers
- Sweetness
- Usually off-dry; 'Extra Dry' is a touch sweeter than 'Brut'
- Where it's from
- Veneto and Friuli, northeast Italy
- Price range
- About $12–20
- Serve at
- Fridge cold, 40–45°F
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
What Prosecco tastes like
Think crisp orchard fruit: green apple, ripe pear, a bit of lemon and sometimes a floral, honeysuckle thing. It's lighter and fruitier than Champagne, without the toasty, bready flavor that comes from aging.
The bubbles are bigger and softer too. That's because Prosecco gets its fizz in a big pressurized tank rather than inside each bottle, which keeps it fresh, fruity and affordable.
Where it comes from
Real Prosecco can only come from a defined zone in northeast Italy, around Venice and up into the hills. The hillside towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene make the top tier, and you'll see 'Prosecco Superiore DOCG' on those labels for a few dollars more.
How to read the label
The sweetness words are backwards, which trips everyone up. 'Brut' is the driest, 'Extra Dry' is actually a little sweeter, and 'Dry' is sweeter still. Most grocery-store Prosecco is Extra Dry, which is why it feels so easy to drink.
If you want a crisper glass for food, grab one that says Brut. If it's going into a mimosa or an Aperol spritz, Extra Dry is perfect and you don't need to spend more than about $15.
What to eat with it
Prosecco loves salty, fried and snacky food: chips, popcorn, prosciutto, fried calamari, sushi. The bubbles scrub your mouth clean between bites. It's also a great opener for a big dinner, before you switch to something heavier.
Prosecco to try
La Marca Prosecco
about $16GleraGood buy
The one in the baby-blue label. Fruity, a little sweet, and the safe bet for any party.
Mionetto Prosecco Brut
about $13GleraGood buy
Drier and zippier than La Marca. Better with food and in spritzes.
Lunetta Prosecco
about $13Glera
Light, clean and cheap enough to buy in multiples for brunch.
Ruffino Prosecco
about $14Glera
Crisp and citrusy from a name you already see everywhere. Easy to find, easy to like.
Keep reading
- What is sparkling wine?
- What is Champagne?
- Prosecco vs Champagne: what's the difference?
- Cava vs Prosecco: what's the difference?
- Brut vs Extra Dry: what's the difference?
- What is the best champagne for mimosas?
Last checked 2026-10-11.