Prosecco is considered one of the most famous Italian wines in the world. Is that because of its fruity aromas, its freshness, or its fine foam? Wonderful on its own or as an accompaniment to dinner, this wine is also great in a cocktail: its versatility perfectly represents the excellence of Italian wine production globally.

Types of Prosecco wine

You have surely made a toast with a glass of Prosecco on the occasion of an important anniversary or a party at least once in your life, but most likely the only version you have tasted is the Spumante. However, it is important to know that there are different types of Prosecco, each of which is suitable for different circumstances and palates.

• Quiet Prosecco: still wine;
   
• Lively Prosecco: sparkling wine;
   
• Prosecco Spumante: this is the version that has made Prosecco so famous. It is produced through the Charmat method to ensure the nose has its distinctive characteristics; it is produced in the demi-sec, dry, extra-dry, or brut variants

Areas of origin and denominations of Prosecco

All versions of Prosecco originate from the semi-aromatic Glera vine. The Glera vine is usually associated with another native, strictly white grape, vine or, in the case of Prosecco Rosé, Pinot Noir grapes. Glera was originally cultivated in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, particularly in Trieste, an area that continues to be an important producer of Prosecco.  

However, the region which produces the most Prosecco today is Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Together with the provinces of Treviso, Venice, Belluno, and Vicenza in Veneto, Conegliano Valdobbiadene produces some of the most famous bottles of Prosecco in the world. Not surprisingly, its denominations are the Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, the Colli Asolani Prosecco (also called Asolo Prosecco) DOCG, and the Prosecco DOC.

Have you ever tried the Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Extra Dry "Lovré" by Serre di Pederiva or the Cartizze Superiore DOCG "Arzanà" by Astoria? They can take you on a true sensory journey with their delicate aromas and fine perlage.

Wineries and producers

Which is the best Prosecco ever?  Hard to say, but there are many wineries that produce the highest quality Prosecco. From Astoria to Villa Sandi, from Asti to Colli del Soligo, there is more than one great producer of Prosecco, and all are worthy of their success.

Cocktail with Prosecco

How many cocktails can be created with Prosecco? Many, for a very simple reason: Prosecco lends itself divinely to the world of mixology.

One of the simplest and most loved cocktails is definitely the "Bellini": just combine 10cl of Prosecco with about 5cl of fresh peach puree to get the historic cocktail made in Venice. By replacing the puree with filtered orange juice instead, you get an excellent "Mimosa" . Easy isn't it?

You can also make a great "Negroni sbagliato" with Prosecco. This cocktail was invented in Milan at the famous Bar Basso, not far from Corso Buenos Aires. "Sbagliato"  means “wrong” in Italian: the original Negroni recipe is made with Vermouth, Campari jelly, and gin, while this cocktail winningly replaces the gin with Prosecco.

"Hugo" is the Germanic name for a cocktail from Italian South Tyrol - strange isn’t it? Yet, it was in Italian South Tyrol that a summer drink based on elderberry syrup, soda, and, of course, Prosecco was conceived. If you haven't tried it, do so as soon as possible!

Naturally,  Prosecco is a key ingredient of the Venetian Spritz, the best-loved cocktail in Italy: the Spritz is based on bitters (Campari or Aperol usually) and a part of sparkling water.

Which glass to use for Prosecco?

Whichever version of Prosecco you choose to drink, make sure you have the right glass to appreciate its fruity and delicate aromas. Prosecco aromas are best released in a medium-sized wine glass or, only for sparkling Prosecco, a flute. If, on the other hand, you are going to use Prosecco to create textbook cocktails, it all depends on the cocktail itself.