If you’re the type of person that enjoys a bubbly drink now and then you’ve probably heard about both champagne and prosecco. As two different types of bubbly that you can buy from your local liquor store, many people wonder what the differences are between the two. Aside from where they are made, both alcoholic beverages offer different flavor profiles and can be paired with a variety of different foods. Below are some of the most notable differences between champagne and prosecco.
The Basic Features of Champagne
As a type of sparkling wine that is made in France, particularly the Champagne region, you can find a variety of vineyards that specialize in making this phenomenally popular drink approximately 80 miles outside of Paris. When champagne is made the 3 types of grapes that are used include: pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay. Champagne is also known to be an incredibly expensive drink, especially if you opt for different brands. This is because they use a traditional method when creating the beverage, undoubtedly increasing the prices for retail locations and customers. On average, you can expect to spend around $40 for an entry-level champagne with a full profile.
The Basic Features of Prosecco
Unlike champagne, prosecco is a special sparkling wine that is made in Italy, primarily the Veneto region. You’d be able to find prosecco vineyards approximately 15 miles outside of Venice. When making prosecco there is only one type of grapes used, prosecco grapes, which are also known as Glera grapes. The reason as to why this sparkling wine is typically less expensive than champagne is because they use the tank method when creating the beverage, instead of relying on the more expensive traditional method. With a substantial difference in price, an entry-level prosecco is typically no more than $14 per bottle.
Flavor Profiles of Champagne
There are several different flavors that you’ll notice when you open a bottle of champagne. All of the flavors work well together to create rich and bold flavor that will appeal to most palates. These flavors include: peach, citrus, almond, toast, and white cherry.
Flavor Profiles of Prosecco
Prosecco is known as the sweeter alternative when compared to champagne as there are a far more fruity flavors that are used to create a supple and light flavoring. Some of the most popular flavor profiles that you will find in a bottle include: honeysuckle, pear, cream, green apple, and honeydew melon.
Food Pairing for Champagne
One of the most important things to know about alcoholic beverages is when they should be served with different types of food. Since champagne is incredibly dry and offers a high acidic content, it works perfectly with fried appetizers and shellfish. Many people find that champagne and even potato chips are paired well together, as well as pickled vegetables.
Food Pairing for Prosecco
Again, since prosecco is the sweeter of the two it works better with foods that have a high content of fruit or that have been specially cured, such as prosciutto-wrapped fruits. You will also find that Oriental meals work perfectly with the sweety and tangy flavor from prosecco.
The Difference in Price
One of the largest differences between champagne and prosecco is the pricing of each. This is one of the main reasons as to why more people find themselves searching for a good prosecco instead of a good champagne. There are several factors that affect the pricing of different types of alcohol ranging from its age to market demand. When it comes to champagne, it is so expensive as a result of the public’s opinion. The grapes that are used when making a bottle of champagne are harvested from one of the most luxurious regions of France, forcing each bottle to be more and more expensive. There’s also the notion that champagne is more expensive as a result of its lengthy history. Dom Perignon was the first version of sparkling wine that was ever sold to the public, dating back to 1693. Whereas prosecco came onto the market in 1868, created by Carpene Malvolti.
The Similarities Between Champagne and Prosecco
As with most types of related alcohol, champagne and prosecco share a single similarity, they are both types of sparkling wine. Although they are created using entirely different methods and by using different grapes, they fall under the same category and many people often substitute the need for champagne with prosecco as a result of price.
When you are looking for a luxurious beverage for a celebration of special event, most people consider different types of champagne. Depending on your palate and the type of food that you are serving at the event, you might find that prosecco is not only the least expensive option but it may also work better with the flavor profiles of your menu.
