Difference Between Prosecco and Champagne

There are many people out in the world who enjoy having a glass of wine with their dinner, but with so many choices, it can be hard to decide which wine to have with your meal. Two of the more popular wine types are Champagne and Prosecco wines. Even if you are a novice when it comes to wine or a true expert, this article will help you figure out what the true differences are between Champagne and Prosecco wines.

Location

One of the obvious differences between these two wines is that one is made in France, while the other is made in Italy. Champagne is produced in the Champagne area of France, which is northeast of Paris. Prosecco, however, is made in Prosecco, Italy, which is a village north of Venice.

How it’s Made

Champagne is made using the more expensive traditional method, while Prosecco is made using tank method, which is much more affordable. While the two methods use the same original steps, the tank method has the wine stored in tanks during the second fermentation phase. Champagne has the wine in the bottles during that second fermentation.

Flavors

Champagne is made using a mixture of Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir grapes. Because this wine is aged for a longer period of time, it is said to have a cheese rind-like flavor. Those with a finer palate will often say it has a toast or biscuit-like flavor. The vintage varieties will often have flavors such as almond, white cherry, and orange-zest.

Prosecco wine is made using the prosecco grapes, now called Glera grapes. This wine has a distinct flower or fruit aroma and taste. Because Prosecco is aged inside a large tank, there is less pressure and as such, the bubbles produced are lighter and frothy. The finer of this type of wine often have flavors such as tropical fruits, vanilla, hazelnut and honeycomb.

Foods to Pair With

Champagne is typically really dry and has a high level of acidity and because of this some of the best foods to pair it with are shellfish, pickled vegetables, and crispy fried appetizers. Prosecco, however, is a much sweeter wine. It is best paired with more fruity appetizers as well as cured meats. A favorite is to pair it with Asian dishes and Thai noodles.

Cost

Because Champagne uses such an expensive producing method, it has a higher cost to the consumer. Also, this wine has a higher demand and is considered a “luxury” wine. It will usually cost about $40 for an entry-level bottle. Prosecco uses a less-expensive method and usually costs about $12 to $14 for entry-level bottles.

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