Prosecco: what it is and how to shop for it

Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine, usually light, fruity and easy to drink, made mostly from the Glera grape. It costs less than Champagne because it is made in a different way, and it suits brunches, toasts and cocktails. This guide covers how to read a label and where to browse sparkling wine at CBC Liquors in Westford.

What is prosecco?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine from northeastern Italy, made mainly from the Glera grape. It tends to taste fresh and fruity, with notes people often describe as green apple, pear and citrus, and with a lighter feel than many other sparkling wines.

Most prosecco is made by keeping the second fermentation in a large tank rather than in each bottle. That method keeps the fruit character bright and is a big part of why prosecco is usually simpler and more affordable than traditional-method sparkling wines.

If you are new to it, think of prosecco as the casual end of sparkling wine: something you can open for a Sunday brunch without it feeling like a big occasion.

How is prosecco different from Champagne?

Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France and is traditionally made with a second fermentation inside the bottle. That tends to give more bready, toasty flavors and a finer fizz. Prosecco comes from Italy and leans fruitier and lighter.

Neither is better in the abstract. They suit different moments. Prosecco is a natural fit for mixing and relaxed gatherings, while Champagne is the classic choice for a milestone toast.

If you want to look at the Champagne side of things, we carry NICOLAS FEUILLATT Reserve Brut Champagne, one of our best sellers. You can see how it compares with other bottles by browsing our sparkling wine section.

How do you read a prosecco label?

The sweetness word on the label matters more than most people expect. Brut is the driest of the common styles. Extra dry, confusingly, is a little sweeter than brut. Dry is sweeter again. If you like a crisp glass, start with brut. If you prefer something softer and fruitier, extra dry is a good place to look.

You may also see the letters DOC or DOCG. These are Italian quality designations tied to where the grapes were grown and how the wine was made. They tell you about origin and rules followed, and they can help when you are comparing two bottles.

Finally, check whether the bottle is fully sparkling, called spumante, or lightly sparkling, called frizzante. Spumante has the bigger bubbles and the more celebratory feel.

What can you make with prosecco?

The easiest answer is a simple pour, chilled, in a flute or a regular wine glass. Beyond that, prosecco is a common base for spritz-style drinks and for mimosas, where it is topped up with juice.

If you are mixing at home, our mixers section covers the other ingredients you might want on the counter. For a spritz-style drink you will often see people pair sparkling wine with a bitter liqueur and soda, and our liqueur shelves are the place to look for that side of the recipe.

For a party, our party planner page can help you think through how much of everything you need.

What should you serve prosecco with?

Prosecco's light body and bright acidity make it friendly with food. It works with salty snacks, cured meats, soft cheeses, fried appetizers and brunch dishes like eggs and pastries.

Because it is not heavy, it will not overwhelm delicate flavors. That makes it a useful choice when you are serving a mix of dishes and do not want to match each one.

Serve it cold, and keep it in the fridge until just before you pour. If you are hosting, an ice bucket on the table keeps bottles at the right temperature through the afternoon.

Where can you browse sparkling wine near Westford?

CBC Liquors is at 142 Littleton Rd in Westford, and our sparkling wine page lists the sparkling bottles in our catalogue. Our wider wine section also has white wine and red wine if you are putting together a full table.

We are open Sunday 10 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 9 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM. Customers also come to us from Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable.

If you are after a particular bottle, check the sparkling wine page first, since what is in stock changes. You can also read our guide to which Westford liquor store helps with wine choices.

Can you order for pickup, delivery or shipping?

Besides walking in, we offer pickup, delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match our store hours. Delivery hours run Sunday 10 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday through Thursday 10 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10 AM to 9:30 PM.

Delivery areas are listed on our delivery areas page, so check there for your town before you plan around it. Our shipping policy explains how shipping works.

If you want to compare before you buy, our check prices near Westford page is the place to start.

What else do people pick up with sparkling wine?

For gatherings, people often add a few other things to the basket. Some want cider or seltzers for guests who prefer something different, and some add ready-to-drink options for easy serving.

If you are planning a larger event, our gift cards page is handy for presents, and our kegs page covers keg and special order requests.

Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews, and our catalogue lists 4,567 products from 1,881 brands, so there is plenty to browse beyond a single bottle.