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These are the Italian bubbles to make any occasion go with a bang
Prosecco comes down to the region, the grape used and how the bubbly gets its fizz
We were seriously impressed by this supermarket find, which is the most premium style of DOCG prosecco, yet still costs just a tenner. It’s made with top-quality glera grapes sourced from the best vineyards on the Valdobbiadene Hill, so you know you’re guaranteed a real stand-out sparkling.
Prosecco makes a great present when you’re not sure what to buy or what the recipient likes. After all, who doesn’t like a bottle of bubbly? Show them you’ve made a little more effort than grabbing one off the supermarket shelf by investing in this superb sparkling made exclusively for Virgin Wines. We loved the smart, modern bottle that looks suitably expensive, so they’ll know this is a cut above the average prosecco.
Pretend you’re somewhere sunny and serve up this refined prosecco with a platter of oysters, mussels and prawns for the summer lunch of dreams. Fittingly, it’s even named “the joyful”, after the motto “marca gioiosa et amorosa” (the joyful and loving place) locals use to describe the province of Treviso. Drinking this should certainly put a smile on your face, too.
Own-brand names from Southwold wine merchant Adnams are a reliable go-to, so we expected good things from the prosecco its selected to call its own. Thankfully, we weren’t disappointed – this vegan fizz is great for adding a touch of sparkle to weekend drinks with friends.
Who doesn’t love a sparkling cocktail? Our national love affair with fruity fizz-based drinks, such as mimosas, bellinis and the Aperol spritz, shows no sign of fading, so it’s always worth having a bottle of prosecco on hand to whip one up.
Add a bit of razzle-dazzle to your prosecco drinking with this gorgeous cut-glass bottle, which really stands out from the rest. Another great one for gifting, it’s a golden colour in the glass and a little lighter and less sweet than some of the others we tested, so a good choice if you prefer drier wine.
It can be a little overwhelming knowing which prosecco to choose in the supermarket when faced with so many options. It’s easier to find bottles even cheaper than this £8 one, but you’ll notice the difference in quality with this extra special prosecco by paying just a little bit extra. It still won’t break the bank if you want to buy in bulk for a party, though.
Prosecco isn’t always the cheaper option and a more expensive bottle is worth the splurge if you’re celebrating. This single vintage DOCG prosecco from the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene is as good as any champagne and has the awards to prove it, having won countless bronze, silver and gold medals at wine competitions around the world.
Another wonderfully priced prosecco perfect for pepping up a boring weekend, this is a brilliantly drinkable bubbly you’ll buy again and again.
The UK simply can’t get enough prosecco. In fact, Britain is officially the world’s greatest consumer of the Italian sparkling wine, accounting for 24.5 per cent of all prosecco DOC exports, with a whopping 122.2 million bottles reaching our shores in 2021 alone.
Our obsession for the tipple began in the years after the financial crisis as we Brits searched for a celebratory drink that was cheaper than champagne. As its relatively inexpensive and very drinkable cousin, Prosecco soon started appearing in supermarkets, bars and restaurants all over the country – and clearly we haven’t looked back since.
Like champagne though, prosecco must still follow certain EU rules to lay claim to the name. For example, it can only come from two regions in Italy – Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia – to carry a DOC label indicating its designated origin. And it must also be made with a minimum of 85 per cent glera grapes, although other grape varieties, such as pinot grigio or chardonnay, can make up the rest.
The way prosecco is produced does differ, however. While champagne gains its bubbles in the bottle itself, prosecco is fermented for a second time in stainless steel tanks to add the fizz before it’s bottled under pressure. This is a much quicker process, which helps keep the finished drink at a more reasonable price.
While quality can still vary wildly between bottles, expect prosecco to have a high acidity, light bubbles and pleasant, fruity flavours of apples, pear, melon or citrus. It’s usually a little sweeter than champagne and works perfectly as an aperitif, but can also pair well with foods such as antipasti, seafood and salty or acidic dishes. Better still, prosecco doesn’t benefit from ageing, so there’s no need to save it for a special occasion. Just pop the cork and enjoy.
We chilled all the Proseccos we tested and then judged each one on its aromas, bubbles and flavours. We tested every bottle on its own and then with foods including salted nuts, charcuterie, fish dishes and even pizza to see which ones would make food sing and which were better served alone for a food-free toast.
We reviewed each bottle of fizz for aromas, bubbles and flavours
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We were seriously impressed by this supermarket find, which is the most premium style of DOCG prosecco, yet still costs just a tenner. It’s made with top-quality glera grapes sourced from the best vineyards on the Valdobbiadene Hill, so you know you’re guaranteed a real stand-out sparkling.
Deliciously dry, it’s just complex enough, with flavours of white blossom, peach and pear, and a lingering note of elderflower on the nose. It’s quite acidic too, so works especially well with food, including light fruity desserts and fattier foods. Try it with a slap-up meal of fish and chips and you’ll never look back.
Prosecco makes a great present when you’re not sure what to buy or what the recipient likes. After all, who doesn’t like a bottle of bubbly? Show them you’ve made a little more effort than grabbing one off the supermarket shelf by investing in this superb sparkling made exclusively for Virgin Wines. We loved the smart, modern bottle that looks suitably expensive, so they’ll know this is a cut above the average prosecco.
Made by Umberto Menini, who has worked in the wine industry for over 40 years, it’s a fresh, fruity drop with an emphasis on apples and pears, and a tangy twist of lemon on the palate. We think anyone would love to receive this.
Pretend you’re somewhere sunny and serve up this refined prosecco with a platter of oysters, mussels and prawns for the summer lunch of dreams. Fittingly, it’s even named “the joyful”, after the motto “marca gioiosa et amorosa” (the joyful and loving place) locals use to describe the province of Treviso. Drinking this should certainly put a smile on your face, too.
A pale straw colour, it looks more like champagne in the glass and goes down just as easily. There are hints of apple and lemon on the nose, while floral notes come through on the palate to make this a fresh and well-balanced prosecco with a surprisingly full body.
Own-brand names from Southwold wine merchant Adnams are a reliable go-to, so we expected good things from the prosecco its selected to call its own. Thankfully, we weren’t disappointed – this vegan fizz is great for adding a touch of sparkle to weekend drinks with friends.
Made with glera grapes from the Veneto region, this prosecco explodes with orchard aromas on opening, with the rich scent of apples mixed with floral notes. In the glass, you can expect lively bubbles, flavours of peach and pear, and a fresh finish that will keep you going back for more.
Who doesn’t love a sparkling cocktail? Our national love affair with fruity fizz-based drinks, such as mimosas, bellinis and the Aperol spritz, shows no sign of fading, so it’s always worth having a bottle of prosecco on hand to whip one up.
This is the perfect bottle for the job. Crisp and nicely dry, it has fine bubbles and a good but not overpowering acidity, which means it will work well with fruit mixers and liqueurs in cocktails. Flavours are delicious but won’t dominate, with a blend of apple, pear and lemon, with yeast undertones. Bring this to a party and there’ll be no complaints.
Add a bit of razzle-dazzle to your prosecco drinking with this gorgeous cut-glass bottle, which really stands out from the rest. Another great one for gifting, it’s a golden colour in the glass and a little lighter and less sweet than some of the others we tested, so a good choice if you prefer drier wine.
Made of only glera grapes, it really brings the sunshine too, with zingy aromas of lemon and tropical grapefruit. Apricot, peach and pear come through on the palate, making it perfect to drink on its own or with light, fruity desserts.
It can be a little overwhelming knowing which prosecco to choose in the supermarket when faced with so many options. It’s easier to find bottles even cheaper than this £8 one, but you’ll notice the difference in quality with this extra special prosecco by paying just a little bit extra. It still won’t break the bank if you want to buy in bulk for a party, though.
We were surprised just how much flavour it had, with plenty of peach on the nose and an enticing palate of wildflowers and a hint of citrus. A note of creaminess and a touch of sweetness make it ideal for drinking without food and we’d gladly raise a glass of this for a toast.
Prosecco isn’t always the cheaper option and a more expensive bottle is worth the splurge if you’re celebrating. This single vintage DOCG prosecco from the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene is as good as any champagne and has the awards to prove it, having won countless bronze, silver and gold medals at wine competitions around the world.
Drier than many proseccos we tested, it’s truly delicious, with a wonderfully clean taste, a bright acidity, velvety mouthfeel and a light body, which means it’s perfect as an aperitif with canapes or charcuterie.
Flavours of lemon, fragrant jasmine and a tropical tang make this one of the most intriguing proseccos we tried. If it gives you a taste for the finer things in life, we also rate Ca’ di Rajo Cuvée del Fondatore Brut Millesimato Valdobbiadene prosecco superior DOCG 2020 (Independent.wine, £17.95) for its pineapple zing.
Another wonderfully priced prosecco perfect for pepping up a boring weekend, this is a brilliantly drinkable bubbly you’ll buy again and again.
A no-fuss fizz that ticks all the right sparkling boxes, it’s crisp and light, with delicate floral aromas on the nose. There are plenty of apple and peach flavours in the glass, with a smooth sweetness that makes this a great prosecco to serve with food, including a gently spicy Thai curry or even a selection of Italian cheeses. There’s also a great rosé version if you prefer the pink stuff.
Read the labels carefully – all prosecco should be made largely from the glera grape and hail from certain areas of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of northern Italy.
There are so many great proseccos out there, it’s easy to be spoilt for choice. However, if you want to try a superior DOCG without paying over the odds, choose . Tesco finest prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG for its clean acidity, medium finish and fruity flavours. We’d recommend an occasional splurge on Ca’ di Rajo extra dry Valdobbiadene prosecco superiore DOCG millesimato 2020 if you really want to give yourself a treat.
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