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The countdown to 2026 is already here – and no celebration is complete without a glass of sparkling wine. The night is all about raising a glass with your nearest and dearest – most likely to a flute of wine Prosecco. Thankfully, you don’t have to delve into your “new year, new you” budget to buy a quality bottle, because supermarket Full of sommelier-approved Prosecco.
But before you head out to a swanky soiree or dinner with your latest bottle of Italian sparkling wine, it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for. Authentic Prosecco is produced only in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of northeastern Italy and is protected by DOC status, a mark of quality that guarantees it is made from at least 85% Glera grapes.
Unlike Champagne, which is fermented in the bottle, Prosecco is made using the Charmat method (tank fermentation). This retains the natural fruitiness of the grapes, giving the bubbles signature aromas of green apple, pear and honeysuckle. “It’s fresh, refreshing, easy-drinking and often a little sweeter than Champagne, which appeals to many consumers,” says wine critic Katie Brook.
Most of us buy Prosecco in the supermarket, but there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming when deciding which bottle to buy. Which area should you look for? Is the £5.99 Prosecco too good to be true? What classification is best?
“When I buy Prosecco in the supermarket, I always look for the original style and the DOCG label, such as asolo or cononegliano-valdobbiadene,” advises wine consultant and author Gemma Boucher. “These tend to offer more freshness, finesse and complexity than a basic Prosecco DOC.”
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On her recent trip to Italy, wine critic Katie Brook tasted a variety of different styles of Prosecco, “from natural (a very dry style, with no added sugar) to extra dry (a sweeter style, which is what we commonly see in the UK).” Sommelier and wine educator Elly Owen explains: “The Prosecco region is quite large, so looking for regional specialties can help ensure you get a wine that meets higher quality standards.”
Some areas are more popular than others, including Katiz. “The slopes of Valdobbiadene are home to some of the most famous vineyards in the world,” Owen said. Brook’s also recommends this very small area, often referred to as the “grand cru” of Valdobbiadene. “This is where great bottles come from and surprisingly Prosecco labeled ‘conegliano-valdobbiadene’ is actually not hard to find in supermarkets,” she added.
To help you stock up on the right wine for New Year celebrations and other occasions, I asked wine experts and sommeliers about their favorite Proseccos from supermarkets from Aldi to Marks and Spencer. For more expert-approved wines, I also discovered The best supermarket champagne, Best supermarket wine and Best supermarket whiskey.
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Meet the experts
Emily’s Tomb is assistant travel editor independent and holds a WSET Level 3 Wine Award from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. She writes for many wine publications, from Noble Rot to Ocado Life magazine.
Gemma Boucher Be a qualified wine consultant and writerwho works with British vineyards and merchants to champion lesser-known wine regions, under-the-radar producers and sustainable practices.
Katie Brooke is a journalist specializing in wine with ten years of experience as a wine reviewer. she is Heading for wineis a running club based in London and Surrey whose meetings end with a wine tasting.
Ellie Owen is a freelance sommelier, WSET diploma and wine educator dedicated to making wine accessible to everyone. She has worked with the likes of Jamie Oliver and Paul Ainsworth, dispelling some of the myths about wine and regularly gives masterclasses.