Prosecco wine: what it is and how to choose a bottle

Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made mostly from the glera grape, usually light, fruity and dry to off-dry. At CBC Liquors on Littleton Rd in Westford you can find La Marca Prosecco alongside the rest of our wine section.

What is prosecco wine?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine from northeastern Italy, made mainly from the glera grape. The name is protected, so a true prosecco comes from designated areas of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions.

The flavors lean toward green apple, pear, white peach and a little citrus or white flower. It tends to taste fresh and bright rather than toasty or bready.

That easygoing style is why prosecco is a common choice for toasts, brunch and casual get-togethers.

How is prosecco made?

Most prosecco gets its bubbles from the tank method, also called Charmat. The second fermentation happens in a large sealed stainless steel tank rather than in each individual bottle.

This keeps the wine fresh and fruity and keeps costs down compared with methods that need long aging on the lees. It is a big part of why prosecco tastes so different from traditional Champagne.

The bubbles are usually softer and frothier, and the aromas stay focused on the fruit.

How is prosecco different from Champagne?

Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, is made from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, and is fermented a second time in the bottle. That process gives richer, toastier flavors and finer bubbles.

Prosecco is lighter, fruitier and simpler by design. Neither is better in the abstract; they suit different moments.

If you want to compare the two, we carry NICOLAS FEUILLATT Reserve Brut Champagne and you can browse more bottles in sparkling wine. Tasting a prosecco next to a Champagne is the quickest way to learn the difference.

How sweet is prosecco? Brut, extra dry and dry

The sweetness words on a prosecco label can be confusing. From driest to sweetest, the common terms are brut, extra dry and dry. Yes, extra dry is sweeter than brut, and dry is sweeter still.

Brut tastes crisp and clean. Extra dry has a touch more roundness and fruit, and it is the style many people find easiest to drink on its own.

If you are picking for a group and are not sure of their taste, check the label for these words. If you are unsure which one you are looking at, ask at the counter and we will read it with you.

How should you serve prosecco?

Serve it well chilled, usually around 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit. A couple of hours in the refrigerator or about thirty minutes in an ice bucket does it.

Use a tulip-shaped white wine glass or a flute. Pour slowly, tilting the glass, to keep the bubbles lively.

Prosecco is best young, so drink a bottle within a year or two of buying it rather than cellaring it. Once opened, a sparkling wine stopper helps it hold its fizz for a day.

What food goes with prosecco?

Its acidity and light bubbles suit salty and fried foods: chips, olives, cured meats, cheese boards and fried appetizers. It also works with sushi, shrimp and lightly dressed salads.

For brunch, prosecco pairs easily with eggs, pastries and fruit. Off-dry styles can handle mildly spicy dishes.

If you are building a menu, our party planner page can help you think through quantities for a gathering.

What can you make with prosecco?

Prosecco is the base of the spritz, usually combined with a bitter orange aperitif and soda water, and it goes into the Bellini with peach purée. A mimosa with orange juice is the easy brunch option.

For those, a straightforward brut or extra dry works well, and you do not need your most expensive bottle. Our mixers section has soda and juices to go with it.

If you want something other than prosecco in a similar style, browse sparkling wine for more choices, or look at a still white such as Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc or BUTTER Chardonnay.

Where can you buy prosecco in Westford?

CBC Liquors is at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. 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.

You can walk in, order for pickup during store hours, or ask about delivery and shipping. Delivery runs until 7:30 PM on Sunday, 8:30 PM Monday through Thursday and 9:30 PM Friday and Saturday. See liquor delivery areas for the towns we cover, including Chelmsford, Acton and Littleton.

Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews. Browse the full wine range online before you come in.