Champagne vs Prosecco: The Differences & Types

Champagne vs. Prosecco is an old battle; both are sparkling wines, but very different. Don’t know how?

In this Champagne vs. Prosecco guide, we dive deep into the similarities and differences between the two wines, how they taste, how they are made, and the best types of Champagnes and Prosecco available in the market.
So, what are you waiting for? Read on to find out the difference between your favorite drinks.

Place of Origin
Champagne originates from Champagne in France. A region of France situated 90 miles northeast of Paris. Sparkling wines produced in the Champagne region of France are known as Champagne only.
The origin of champagne dates back to the late 1600s when Dom Pérignon accidentally carbonated white wine to create Champagne. What an amazing accident, right?
Prosecco; on the other hand, is a product of the Prosecco region of Italy, situated in the northeast part of Trieste, Italy. Sparkling wines produced in the Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto regions of Italy are known as Prosecco only.
Prosecco began popping up in ancient Rome when a famous Roman writer named Pliny declared Pucino the greatest wine of the era.

Types of Grapes
Champagne is made up of either one of the below-mentioned grape types or a blend of all of these grape types:
· Chardonnay
A green grape that is commonly associated with the Burgundy region in France, and is generally used in white wines.

· Pinot Meunier
A black grape typically associated with the Paris Basin in France and is known for the rich taste of the wine.

· Pinot Noir
A black grape that originates from the Burgundy region in France, and is commonly found in red wines.

Prosecco; on the other hand, is made up of the below-mentioned grape types:
· Glera grapes
A moderately acidic thin-skinned green grape associated with the region of Treviso, located on the north of Venice in Italy.

· Perera and Bianchetta Trevigiana
Perera grape is cultivated in the Valdobbiadene region of Italy, whereas Bianchetta Trevigiana is grown in the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol and Veneto regions of Italy.

Mode of production
Champagne is manufactured by the traditional method of production named Méthode Champenoise. The procedure starts by producing the base wine, which has a tart taste as compared to other base wines. The major reason for the taste variation is that the grapes for Champagne are picked earlier in the season.
Then a certain amount of sugar and yeast are added to the base wine to start the carbonation process. The yeast and sugar react to release carbon dioxide which pressurizes to carbonate the Champagne.
Once the wine is carbonated, it is aged through either riddling or lees. Riddling is the process whereby the wine is rotated upside down over time, which collects the dead cells of yeast in the neck of the bottle. Lees; on the other hand, are dead cells of yeast that remain in the tank or bottle of fermented Champagne. Lees gives a rich flavor to Champagne.

The next steps of the procedure include disgorgement and dosage. In the process of disgorgement, the neck of the wine tank or bottle is inserted into frozen brine or liquid nitrogen to freeze the lees. Once the cap of the bottle is removed, lees come out of the sparkling wine and leave the wine bottle.
Lastly, a mixture of sugar and wine is added into the bottle, which is known as the process of dosage. Dosage is added to the neck of the bottle and adds extra flavor to Champagne. Viola, now it is ready to be served!

Prosecco; on the other hand, is manufactured by an affordable tank process. This method follows similar steps as that of the Champagne production; however, this method stores Prosecco in tanks during the process of fermentation.
The large tanks are used to make the process efficient, simple, and affordable. This is why prosecco is a more affordable wine among the two types.

Taste Profile
Let’s explore the taste profile of these two wines as well.
With champagne, expect a drier, nutty, or toasty taste, whereas Prosecco tends to be brighter and fruitier.
Champagne comes in almond, citrus, cherry, and white peach flavors, whereas Prosecco comes in fresh cream, green apple, pear, honeydew, and honeysuckle flavors.
With champagne, expect fine bubbles, whereas Prosecco generally comes in two types of bubble varieties, including:
· Spumante (fully sparkling wine)
· Frizzante (gently sparkling wine)

Food Pairings
Because the taste profiles vary, the food pairing is also different for both wines. Let’s take a look at the foods that are best paired with Champagne and Prosecco.
Because champagne is dry and highly acidic, it pairs best with fried appetizers, raw bar items, shellfish, pickled veggies, or even potato chips.
Prosecco; on the other hand, tends to be sweeter, so it is paired with fruity appetizers like cured meats, prosciutto-wrapped melons, Thai noodles, and even sushi.

Price Range
A good bottle of champagne is around $70, whereas a good bottle of Prosecco is about $20.
Because the production of champagne requires a more labor-intensive and hand-on procedure, a bottle of is typically more expensive than a bottle of Prosecco.is typically more expensive than a bottle of Prosecco.
Also, the wine is the go-to wine of Holiday celebrities and political leaders.

Calories
The standard pour for both Champagne and Prosecco is about 4 to 6 ounces.sparkling wines is about 4 to 6 ounces.
This means that one pour of Champagne gives about 128 calories, whereas one pour of Prosecco is rich in about 121 calories.

The Best Wine?
In the Champagne vs. Prosecco battle, there is no one winner. Both wine types have their own unique, aromas, flavors, carbonation, and taste.
Purchase a bottle of both and check what clicks your taste buds the most; after all, trying new wines does not hurt anyone, right?
Looking for the best quality Champagne or Prosecco? You have come to the right place!sparkling wine? You have come to the right place!

At Vyno, we sell a premium collection of high-quality Champagne and Prosecco. We have a large variety of best-selling Champagne and Prosecco for every taste. So, we invite you to visit our best-selling Champagne and Prosecco collection and order your favorite sparkling wine now!