Sparkling Wine VS Prosecco: What is The Difference?

Among the questions that everyone has asked themselves at least once in their life there is one that has no real answer: what is the difference between Prosecco and sparkling wine? Let's definitely say that (almost) all Prosecco is sparkling wine but not all sparkling wine is Prosecco. These are not real synonyms, but almost. Let's see all the details.

Prosecco VS Sparkling Wine: Are There any Differences?

The simple answer is this: the difference does not exist because Prosecco is a sparkling wine, almost always at least. It is in fact a type of wine made based on glera, white or rosé in colour, produced in parts of the Region of Veneto and in Friuli Venezia Giulia in Italy. It can be either DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) or DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin). In the DOCG there are Proseccos made in the Montello and Colli Asolani areas or the Prosecco di Conegliano Valdobbiadene.

When we talk about sparkling wine, however, we are referring to a category of wines: they are those that produce foam when opened, caused by the presence of carbon dioxide produced by fermentation and therefore not added. Sparkling wine can be produced all over the world and with any type of grape variety. Prosecco only comes from the areas that are part of the consortium and only and exclusively with grapes from the Glera, Verdiso, Pinot bianco, grigio or nero vines. The soils suitable for growing vineyards are those that are well exposed and drained, therefore soils with high water supply or peat are not permitted. In each plot there must be at least 2.300 vines per hectare. The cultivation and planting techniques are "classic" ones which do not cause changes to the quality of the grapes and wine, without forcing. All these rules are internal to the Doc and Docg, each sparkling wine has a different "regulation". However, we must add a note to all this: not all Prosecco is sparkling. There is a smaller production of still Prosecco, therefore not sparkling, which experts call "still".