The best Prosecco to buy: our top picks and how to choose

Prosecco is Britain’s favourite fizz. It’s light, fruity, fun and much more affordable than Champagne, which makes it perfect for parties, brunches and Friday nights. But not all Prosecco is the same. A few words on the label make a big difference to how it tastes, and knowing them helps you find a much better bottle.

What is Prosecco?

Prosecco is a sparkling wine from north-east Italy, made mostly from the Glera grape. Unlike Champagne, which gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle, Prosecco is usually made using the tank method. The second fermentation happens in large steel tanks, which keeps the wine fresh, fruity and light, with notes of green apple, pear and white flowers.

DOC vs DOCG: what’s the difference?

• Prosecco DOC is the standard level, covering a large area across Veneto and Friuli.
• Prosecco Superiore DOCG comes from the steep hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, between Venice and the Dolomites. The best Proseccos come from here, with more finesse and finer bubbles.
• Asolo Prosecco DOCG is another high-quality hillside area.

If you want to trade up, look for DOCG on the label.

Brut, Extra Dry, Dry: the confusing sweetness scale

This trips everyone up. In Prosecco, “Extra Dry” is actually sweeter than “Brut”.

• Brut: the driest style, crisp and refreshing.
• Extra Dry: slightly sweeter, softer and fruitier. This is the most popular style.
• Dry: sweeter again, with noticeable sweetness.

If you like your fizz crisp and dry, choose Brut. If you prefer it softer and fruitier, Extra Dry is for you.

Our favourite Prosecco

La Gioiosa Prosecco Brut is crisp, clean and great value, a brilliant everyday bottle. Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Brut is elegant with fine bubbles, and Mionetto Prestige Brut is a popular, dependable choice. For something more special, Della Vite Superiore DOCG is beautifully made and gift-worthy.

Best-value Prosecco

For parties, value matters. Our Selection Prosecco Extra Dry is soft, fruity and very well priced, and Canti Organic Prosecco is a great organic option. Freixenet Prosecco is another reliable crowd-pleaser.

Prosecco Rosé

Prosecco Rosé has been officially allowed since 2020. It’s made mostly from Glera, with a splash of Pinot Noir for colour and red berry fruit. Bottega Prosecco Rosé, La Gioiosa Millesimato Rosé and Our Selection Prosecco Rosé are all lovely.

Prosecco gifts

Liquid Diamond Prosecco comes in a striking gift box, and Thornton & France Prosecco & Chocolates makes a lovely present.

Prosecco vs Champagne vs Cava

• Prosecco: fruity and light, made in tanks, usually the cheapest.
• Cava: Spanish, made the same way as Champagne, crisp and dry. Great value.
• Champagne: French, bottle-fermented and aged longer, with toasty, biscuity flavours.

How to serve Prosecco

Serve it well chilled, around 6–8°C. Drink it young and fresh; Prosecco isn’t designed for ageing. A white wine glass shows off its aromas better than a narrow flute. It’s also the base for an Aperol Spritz and a Bellini; see our guide to sparkling wine cocktails.

FAQs

What is the best Prosecco?

For everyday drinking, La Gioiosa Brut and Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti are hard to beat. For special occasions, choose a DOCG Superiore.

Is Prosecco sweet?

Brut is dry; Extra Dry has a touch of sweetness; Dry is noticeably sweet.

How long does Prosecco last once opened?

Use a sparkling wine stopper and it’ll keep its fizz for a day or two in the fridge.

Browse all our sparkling wines on the sparkling wine list.