Prosecco vs Champagne

Apart from being a sparkling wine (and being delicious of course), that’s pretty much where the similarities between Prosecco and Champagne end. There are 3 main differences between these two sparkling specialities.

1. Where they are made

First of all, they both come from different parts of the world. Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, whereas Prosecco is from the Prosecco region of Northern Italy. These are the only places that can produce their respective fizz, so if a bottle is labelled as Champagne or Prosecco, it has to be the real deal.

2. The grapes they are made from

The second key difference between the two is the grapes used to make them. For Champagne to be Champagne, it has to be made using three grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These are used, or blended, in different quantities to make varying styles of Champagne. Prosecco on the other hand is made using just one grape variety known as Glera, an Italian exclusive that thrives in the North East of the country.

3. How they are made

Finally, and maybe the most important difference, is the production method. Both are made in very different ways, which has a direct effect on quality and therefore the bottle price.

In order to make Champagne, the traditional method must be used. Using this method, the fermentation of the wine (the bit that makes it fizzy) occurs inside the bottle itself where it is left to age. This process is overall more time consuming and expensive, hence why Champagne typically comes with a higher price tag.

With Prosecco, the fermentation process is mostly done inside sealed tanks, where they are aged for a short time before being bottled under pressure.

You can read all about how sparkling wines are made in a lot more detail in the winemaking section of our wine guide.

In short, definitely! The specific grape varieties used to make Champagne and Prosecco, plus the different production methods, give them quite different flavours.

Champagne has notes of white peach, citrus fruits and almonds, along with a distinctive ‘bready’ or ‘toasty’ flavour which comes from its prolonged contact with yeast during the bottle fermentation. While Prosecco tends to be a little sweeter, lighter and fruitier in flavour, with notes of apple, melon and pear often dominating.

The two have different textures too. The bubbles in Prosecco tend to be lighter, frothier and steadier than the fine and speedy bubbles that whizz through Champagne, and this is due to Prosecco being produced in large tanks where the pressure is lower. If you look closely at a glass of Prosecco next to a glass of Champers you can actually see the difference in how aggressive the bubbles are.

There is a time and place for both! Prosecco is so affordable and approachable that it can be enjoyed any night of the week, and if you need some great sparkling wine for a party and are on a bit of a budget then it’ll still have the exciting celebratory feel that all sparkling wines have.

If you want something a bit special though, or if you particularly love those more complex bready notes, then Champagne is of course the way to go. There is a luxury and indulgence about it that really can’t be replicated by anything else!

Don’t forget other sparkling wines!

Remember, sparkling wine doesn’t stop at Champagne and Prosecco. There are other fantastic examples of excellent fizz being made all over the world right now, including Cava from Spain and our very own English Sparkling Wines. English sparklers in particular have been impressing on an international stage in recent years!

If you need some cracking fizz then be sure to have a look through our range of sparkling wines.