Prosecco Guide: Prosecco for Aperol Spritz, Prosecco Rosé and Mimosas

What is prosecco?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine from north-eastern Italy, made mainly from the Glera grape variety. The Prosecco DOC zone covers parts of the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, and the smaller DOCG zones such as Conegliano Valdobbiadene sit in the hills of the Veneto.

The name is protected in Europe, so a wine sold as prosecco has to come from the designated zones and follow the rules for the denomination. That is why Australian sparkling wines made in a similar style are usually labelled by grape or style rather than as prosecco.

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How is prosecco made?

Most prosecco is made by the Charmat or tank method. After the base wine is made, the second fermentation that creates the bubbles happens in a large pressurised steel tank rather than in each bottle, and the wine is then filtered and bottled under pressure.

This approach keeps the fresh, floral and fruity character of the grape, and it is quicker and cheaper than the traditional bottle-fermented method used for Champagne. The result is a lighter, fruitier style that is meant to be enjoyed young.

What do brut, extra dry and dry mean on a prosecco label?

Sweetness is shown by the residual sugar level. Under the denomination rules, brut has up to 12 grams of sugar per litre, extra dry has 12 to 17 grams, and dry has 17 to 32 grams. The names are not intuitive, because extra dry is sweeter than brut and dry is sweeter again.

Extra dry is the most common style on shelves, with soft fruit and a gentle sweetness. Brut suits people who want a drier, more savoury glass. If you are unsure, start with extra dry for sipping and brut for mixing.

Which prosecco is best for an Aperol Spritz?

The classic Aperol Spritz uses three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol and one part soda, served over ice with a slice of orange. Because Aperol is sweet and bitter, a brut or extra dry prosecco keeps the drink balanced instead of syrupy.

You do not need a premium bottle for a spritz. A clean, dry, well-chilled prosecco is enough, and the soda stretches it. Keep the glass and ice cold, build the drink gently so the bubbles survive, and add the orange last. Browse our amaro and bitter liqueurs to see what else works in a spritz.

What is prosecco rosé?

Prosecco rosé is a pink version of the style. The rules for Prosecco DOC were extended to allow a rosé category, made from Glera blended with a small share of Pinot Noir for colour and berry flavour, and the first wines reached shelves a few years ago.

Expect red-berry aromas, a dry finish and the same light bubbles as white prosecco. It is a pretty choice for celebrations and pairs well with charcuterie, prawns and light salads.

How do you make a Bellini or a mimosa with prosecco?

A Bellini is white peach purée topped with prosecco, traditionally about one part purée to two parts wine. A mimosa is half sparkling wine and half fresh orange juice, poured gently into a flute.

Both drinks suit a brut or extra dry prosecco, because the fruit adds sweetness. Chill every ingredient first and pour the prosecco last to keep the bubbles lively.

How is prosecco different from Champagne?

Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, is made mainly from Chardonnay and the two Pinot grapes, and gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle. Prosecco uses Glera and the tank method, which gives lighter, fruitier wines at a lower price.

Neither is better; they do different jobs. Prosecco is easy, fresh and ideal for spritzes and parties. Our guide to Champagne, sparkling wine and port covers the traditional method in more detail.

How should you serve and store prosecco?

Serve prosecco at about 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, in a tulip-shaped glass or flute. Chill the bottle for several hours in the fridge, or for 20 to 30 minutes in a bucket of ice and water.

Store unopened bottles somewhere cool, dark and steady, lying down or upright for short periods. Prosecco is made to be drunk fresh, so most bottles are best within a year or two of release. Once opened, a sparkling wine stopper keeps it lively for a day or two.

What food goes with prosecco?

Prosecco is a flexible food wine. Its acidity and light bubbles cut through salty, fried and creamy foods, so it works with antipasto, olives, prosciutto, hard cheeses, arancini and tempura.

Off-dry styles also suit mildly spicy dishes and fruit-based desserts. For a simple party, pair a brut with salty snacks and an extra dry with fruit and soft cheese.

How do you choose a good bottle of prosecco?

Check the label for the denomination (DOC or DOCG), the sweetness level and the vintage, and choose the most recent release. Brut or extra dry will suit most tastes, and a rosé adds a little more fun.

Buy a few bottles at a time and chill them well. See the current range in our prosecco collection and the wider sparkling wine range. Every delivery needs an adult (18+) signature.

How do you buy online from Doctors of Whisky?

Doctors of Whisky is a Sydney-based online bottle shop. Browse the collection, add bottles to your cart and choose PayID, bank transfer, Bitcoin or USDT at checkout; paying with Bitcoin or USDT takes 12% off.

The minimum order is $300 AUD. Orders of $1,500 AUD or more ship free by express courier, and a flat $75 AUD fee applies below that. Delivery is insured, and an adult (18+) must sign for every parcel.

How can you drink responsibly in Australia?

The Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. A standard drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and the label on every bottle shows the number of standard drinks.

Pace yourself, eat before and while you drink, alternate with water, and never drive after drinking. You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol.