12. Aprile 2026
What is Prosecco? A Guide to Italy's Favourite Sparkling Wine
If you've ever sipped a glass of light, bubbly Italian wine and felt instantly transported to the Italian countryside, chances are you were drinking Prosecco. But what exactly is Prosecco, and why is it so special?
Where Does Prosecco Come From? Prosecco is a sparkling wine produced in northeast Italy, in the Veneto region. The most prestigious production area is the hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene — a stunning landscape recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
The Glera Grape Prosecco is made primarily from the Glera grape, a variety grown exclusively in this area for centuries. The combination of the local microclimate, the steep terraced hillsides and the expertise of local winemakers gives Prosecco its unique character.
DOC vs DOCG — What's the Difference? Not all Prosecco is the same. There are two main classifications:
- Prosecco DOC — produced in a wider area across Veneto and Friuli
- Prosecco Superiore DOCG — the highest quality, produced only in the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene
DOCG is the top designation in Italian wine — a guarantee of origin, quality and tradition.
How Does Prosecco Taste? Prosecco is known for its fresh, light and fruity character. Expect notes of green apple, pear, white peach and delicate floral aromas. It is crisp, refreshing and never heavy — perfect as an aperitivo or paired with light food.
Prosecco Superiore DOCG Styles — From Brut Nature to Dry Not all Prosecco tastes the same. The sweetness level depends on the amount of residual sugar in the wine. In Prosecco Superiore DOCG, you will find five styles:
- Brut Nature — less than 3 g/l of residual sugar. Bone dry, crisp and mineral. Perfect for those who love a very dry sparkling wine.
- Extra Brut — between 0 and 6 g/l. Very dry with a clean, fresh finish.
- Brut — less than 12 g/l. The most popular style — dry, fresh and versatile. Perfect as an aperitivo.
- Extra Dry — between 12 and 17 g/l. Slightly sweeter, with delicate fruity notes. The classic Prosecco style loved around the world.
- Dry — between 17 and 32 g/l. Noticeably sweeter, with ripe fruit aromas. Perfect paired with desserts or fresh fruit.
The best way to discover your favourite style? Taste them all in the hills where they are born!
The King of Prosecco — Cartizze Within the Prosecco Superiore DOCG area, there is one truly exceptional subzone: Cartizze.
Cartizze is a small and exclusive zone of just 107 hectares in the municipality of Valdobbiadene — one of the most valuable vineyard areas in the world. The unique combination of its steep slopes, sandy soils and perfect microclimate produces a Prosecco of extraordinary complexity and elegance.
Cartizze is produced exclusively in the Dry style, with between 17 and 32 g/l of residual sugar. Its flavour is rich, velvety and intensely fruity — with notes of golden apple, ripe peach and delicate hints of wisteria and acacia blossom.
For the people of these hills, Cartizze is much more than a wine — it is the celebration wine. The bottle opened for weddings, birthdays, special moments and the most important toasts of a lifetime. Rare, precious and deeply rooted in the soul of this land.
Why Visit the Prosecco Hills? Reading about Prosecco is one thing — tasting it where it is born is something entirely different. In the hills of Valdobbiadene, small family-run wineries produce exceptional Prosecco Superiore DOCG, often welcoming visitors directly for private tastings hosted by the winemaker themselves.
There is no better way to understand and appreciate Prosecco than standing among the vineyards where every bubble begins.