Champagne vs Prosecco is the long-standing battle of the bubbles and a debate that has existed for years. When you think of champagne, you probably think of weddings, and sipping sparkles from tall champagne glasses at celebrations. Conversely, Prosecco is often mistaken for champagne or seen as Champagne’s poor cousin.
Both beverages are enjoyed throughout the world, but what is the difference between prosecco and champagne, and what does champagne taste like? Is prosecco champagne, and how can you differentiate between the two? Here’s all you need to know about champagne, prosecco, cava, and sparkling wines.
What is Champagne?
Champagne is the world's most well-known celebratory drink. It is a sparkling wine, but what sets it aside from other sparkling beverages is that it is made exclusively in the Champagne region of France using specific grape varieties and age-old, traditional fermentation processes. A sparkling wine from any other location cannot be classed as champagne, which is why champagne is considered a premium drink and comes at a higher price point.
Champagne Tasting Notes
Champagne differs from other sparkling wines like prosecco and cava champagne not only in the way it is made but also because of the amount of sugar added and the grape varieties used to give the blend its flavor, sweetness, and characteristics.
There are three main types of champagne, each differing according to the amount of sugar added to the blend during fermentation. The three main types of champagne include:
- Brut Champagne is the most common variety with a crisp, dry taste and flavor.
- Demi-Sec Champagne, which is semi-sweet, with a fruity taste and aroma,
- Doux Champagne is the sweetest, with a distinct citrus and fruity flavor that stays on the palate for longer.
Another aspect that influences the taste of champagne is the variety and mix of the grapes used. Champagne is typically a blend of three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier. Each has a unique taste. For example, the pale flesh and skin of Chardonnay grapes have a fresh and light flavor, helping to make Brut champagne crisp and refreshing. Pinot Noir grapes are darker and add body and structure to the flavor, and Meunier grapes are black, sweet, fruity, and flavorful. The more Meunier grapes added, the sweeter the taste of the drink.
Champagne Food Pairing
For many, champagne is a beverage that can be enjoyed any time of the day or night. Most dry champagnes are crisp, refreshing, and easy to drink, so they are ideal for serving at social gatherings with light appetizers and canapes. A good Brut champagne looks wonderful sipped from our NUDE Stem Zero glasses on arrival or while mingling among guests and sampling the finger foods handed out.
If you are looking for specific champagne food pairings, many fine restaurants tend to swap out the sparkles in favor of flat red or white wines to accompany main courses or entrées. However, a dry Brut champagne does go well with sushi, seafood, chicken, cold cuts, and lighter dishes. Sweeter demi-sec champagne complements fruit tarts and lighter desserts, and sweet doux champagne can be paired with rich and indulgent puddings or strong cheeses.
What is Prosecco?
Prosecco is essentially the Italian version of Champagne. It is another popular type of sparkling wine that varies in sweetness and taste, and just as champagne cannot adopt its moniker unless it comes from the Champagne region of France, Prosecco cannot be called Prosecco if it doesn’t come from the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy.
Prosecco Tasting Notes
When asked, what does Prosecco taste like? Many will say it tastes like champagne, as it’s often hard to tell the difference between a good prosecco and champagne. However, a trained palate will pick up that prosecco has a slightly more acidic and fruitier taste.
Prosecco is produced slightly differently, using a different variety of grapes. In addition, due to Italy’s warmer climate, the grapes ripen quickly to give a bolder, fruitier flavor that makes it a little sweeter than its French counterpart.
Prosecco Food Pairings
We can’t talk about Italian Prosecco without mentioning the fantastic Italian food it can be paired with! Like champagne, prosecco can be enjoyed at any time. Dryer, Brut Prosecco pairs beautifully with Italian appetizers, creamy pasta dishes, fresh seafood, shellfish, and salads. The sweeter demi-sec and doux proseccos taste incredible with chocolate, cakes, and decadent desserts.
Champagne vs Prosecco Regions
We have already established that champagne can only be called champagne if it comes from the Champagne region of northeast France. Likewise, prosecco needs to originate from the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy to be called Prosecco.
Both beverages have DOC status. This means that strict regulations apply to the way the beverages are grown, made, and bottled. These processes can only take place in these areas for the wine to be classed as prosecco or champagne. A wine from any other region is simply a sparkling wine.
Can People Tell the Difference Between Prosecco and Champagne?
Yes, although subtle, if you compare the taste of prosecco and champagne, you should be able to tell the difference. Both champagne and prosecco are premium sparkling wines made in different countries, using different grapes and production methods. Champagne tends to have a crisp, dryer taste and more autolytic flavor. Prosecco tends to be slightly sweeter due to the use of Glera grapes and the warmer climate in Italy.
Which Has More Alcohol, Champagne or Prosecco?
Prosecco and champagne are both alcoholic beverages that vary in alcohol content depending on the bottle and brand you drink.
The average alcohol content in a bottle of champagne varies between 12 % and 12.5%, although it can be as high as 13.5 %. The alcohol level in prosecco tends to be slightly less, ranging from 10.5 % to 12 %.
Difference Between Prosecco, Champagne, and Cava
Cava is another type of sparkling wine produced in Spain, so it is the Spanish equivalent of prosecco and champagne. It is made using Xarello, Macabeo, and Parellada grapes, giving it distinct floral notes that differ from the other varieties. Cava has light, consistent bubbles, like champagne, yet the geographical region it grows in is larger, therefore it tends to be marketed at a lower price point and is more affordable for the majority.
Cava, champagne, and prosecco are all drinks to savor and enjoy, especially on special occasions. The way you serve and present them adds to the drink's overall enjoyment, so the glassware you use is essential. Explore NUDE's champagne glasses, designed to prolong the bubbles and elevate your drinking experience. Discover the NUDE Ghost Zero and Stem Zero collections for the ultimate champagne indulgence.
