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December is one long excuse to drink bubbleBetween office parties, festive feasts And “Oh, go ahead then” Tuesday night, we deal with a lot of things. Thankfully, you don’t have to spend much to keep your flute in perfect condition – UK Supermarket are littered with stewardess-approved bottles of prosecco Which offer real quality for a fraction of the price of their French counterparts.
But before you reach for the nearest bottle of Italian fizz, it pays to know what you’re looking for. Authentic Prosecco comes exclusively from the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of north-eastern Italy and is protected by DOC status, a seal of quality that guarantees it is made with at least 85 percent Glera grapes.
Unlike Champagne, which is fermented in the bottle, Prosecco is made using the Charmat method (tank fermentation). It retains the natural fruitiness of the grapes, giving the fizz distinctive notes of green apple, pear and honeysuckle. Wine critic Katie Brook says, “It’s refreshing, crisp, easy to drink and often a little sweeter than Champagne, which appeals to many consumers.”
Most of us buy our Prosecco from the supermarket, but with so many options it can be difficult to decide which bottle to get. What area should you look for? Is £5.99 Prosecco too good to be true? Which classification is best?
“When I’m shopping for Prosecco in the supermarket, I always look for brut styles and DOCG labels like Asolo or Conegliano-Valdobbiadene,” advises wine consultant and author Gemma Boucher. “These offer more freshness, finesse and complexity than the basic Prosecco DOC.”
Read more: Industry experts share the best supermarket whiskeys
On her recent trip to Italy, wine critic Katie Brooke tested a wide range of Prosecco styles available, ranging from brut nature (a very dry style with no added sugar) to extra dry (a sweeter style, similar to what we typically see in the UK). Ellie Owen, sommelier and wine educator, explains: “Prosecco can come from a large area of land, so looking for regional specialties can help ensure you’re getting a wine that’s made to a high quality standard.”
Some areas are more desirable than others, including Carthage. “Its hills, which lie within Valdobbiadene, are home to some of the most spectacular vineyards in the world,” says Owen. Brook also recommends this very small area, often referred to as the ‘Grand Cru’ vineyard of Valdobbiadene. She adds, “This is where the exceptional bottles come from – and, surprisingly, Prosecco called Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is actually not that hard to find in the supermarket.”
To help you stock up on the perfect bottles for Christmas and New Year celebrations, I asked wine experts and sommeliers about their favorite Proseccos from supermarkets ranging from Aldi to M&S. For more expert-approved tipples, I’ve also highlighted this best supermarket champagne, best supermarket wines And Best Supermarket Whiskey,
Read more: The best supermarket champagne and sparkling options
meet the experts
Emily Toombs Assistant Travel Editor at Independent and has gained the WSET Level 3 Award in Wine from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust. He has written for many wine publications from Noble Rot to Ocado Life magazine.
Gemma Boucher is a qualified wine consultant and AuthorWhich works with English vineyards and merchants to champion lesser-known wine regions, under-the-radar producers and sustainable practices.
katie brook He is a journalist specializing in wine and has a decade of experience as a wine critic. She is the founder of run towards alcoholA running club based in London and Surrey that ends its sessions with wine tasting.
ally owen A freelance sommelier, Dip WSET and wine educator works to make wine accessible to all. Having worked with the likes of Jamie Oliver and Paul Ainsworth to dispel some of the myths surrounding alcohol, she regularly hosts masterclasses.