Wines
Prosecco
Wine style and varietal guide
Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamSuggest a correction
- Sparkling
- White • Dry
- 10–13% ABV
- Medium body
- Dry sweetness
- medium-high acidity
Is this for me?
Choose this if…
- ✓You prefer dry, crisp wines without residual sweetness.
- ✓You prefer smooth, approachable wines with soft tannins.
Skip if…
- ✗You prefer sweeter or off-dry wines.
- ✗You want a structured, grippy red wine.
At a Glance
10–13%ABV
DrySweetness
medium-highAcidity
LowTannin
MediumBody
7°CServe
Nutrition values are style-level estimates. Actual values vary by producer and serving size. How we calculate this →
On this page
What is Prosecco?
A sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy, made using the Charmat method of secondary fermentation in a tank.
Taste profile
Dry sweetnessmedium-high acidityLow tanninsMedium bodyApplePearFloralCrisp
Sensory profile
BodyLight – Full
DrynessSweet – Bone dry
TanninSoft – Grippy
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
Beginner-friendlyAcquired taste – Easy intro
- Style: Sparkling
- ABV range: 10–13%
- Medium body
- Dry sweetness
- Body
- Medium
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Acidity
- medium-high
- Tannin
- Low
- Apple · high intensity — Prosecco commonly shows apple-like fruit character.
- Pear · high intensity — Prosecco commonly shows pear-like fruit character.
- Floral · medium intensity — Prosecco often has floral aromatics.
- Crisp · high intensity — Prosecco is commonly crisp and refreshing.
Based on structured style profile and canonical flavor relationships.
Grape & region
- Grape varieties
- Glera
- Region(s)
- Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- Country
- Italy
- Sweetness
- Usually low to medium
- Sparkling method
- Tank / Charmat
How it’s made
- Method
- Tank-method sparkling wine production.
How to serve
- Serving temperature
- 7°C
- Glassware
- White wine glass
Food pairings
When to serve
DinnerSavoury foodSparkling
Dietary
How Prosecco fits common dietary preferences (general guidance — always check the specific producer).
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-Free
Also known as
Prosecco (common_name)
Alternatives to try
Reviewed style alternatives
- ChampagneBoth sparkling styles; similar sweetness (dry); medium body.
- CavaBoth sparkling styles; similar sweetness (dry); medium body.
- CremantBoth sparkling styles; similar sweetness (dry); medium body.
- FranciacortaBoth sparkling styles; similar sweetness (dry); medium body.
- Pét-NatBoth sparkling styles; medium body; shared crisp notes.
Style alternatives preserve drink-family context but can change sweetness, acidity, bitterness, body, aroma or alcohol range.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Prosecco?
- A sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy, made using the Charmat method of secondary fermentation in a tank.
- What does Prosecco taste like?
- Prosecco is often described as Apple, Pear, Floral, Crisp. Flavour intensity varies by region, producer and vintage.
- What foods pair with Prosecco?
- Prosecco pairs well with Cheese, Cheese Board, Dessert, Brunch. Food pairing suggestions are based on complementary flavour profiles.
- How strong is Prosecco?
- Prosecco typically has an ABV of 10–13%. Strength varies by producer and vintage.
- When should I drink Prosecco?
- Prosecco works well as an aperitif, with a meal, or as a standalone sipping wine. The ideal occasion depends on the body and sweetness level — lighter styles suit casual dining while fuller-bodied wines complement heartier dishes.
- What wines are similar to Prosecco?
- If you enjoy Prosecco, explore other wine styles with a similar body and flavour profile using the sensory bars as a guide. Wines with matching acidity and tannin scores will feel closest in character.
- Does Prosecco improve with age?
- Cellaring potential for Prosecco depends on the producer, vintage and storage conditions. Most everyday expressions are best enjoyed within 3–5 years of release. Premium examples may benefit from longer ageing — check producer notes for guidance.
- What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
- Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Tannin/Bitterness (soft to grippy), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent), Boldness (delicate to bold) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare wine styles at a glance.
- How do I use the sensory profile to find wines I like?
- If you enjoy light, crisp wines look for Light Body with Crisp Acidity. For bold, rich wines choose Full Body with Grippy Tannin. Compare Prosecco with similar wine styles to find your next favourite.
Last updated
Wine style information is approximate and varies by producer, region, vintage and serving size.