Popping open a bottle of bubbly signals the start of any celebration. Several sparkling wines are available and it makes one wonder, does prosecco pop like champagne?
If France has champagne then there is the prosecco as its Italian counterpart. Both are carbonated beverages with bubbles and pressure inside the bottles. So yes, prosecco does pop like champagne and make that iconic popping sound once uncorked.
There are clear differences between the two, and knowing what they are can help you choose the best beverage for your next party.
Let’s Talk Sparkling Wine: Does Prosecco Pop Like Champagne?
The popping sound of opening a bottle of bubbly is synonymous with celebrations.
By now, everyone knows that popping open a bottle of champagne results in this iconic and loud “pop”.
Another bottle of bubbly that’s an ever-present guest on several occasions is the prosecco. Champagne and prosecco are two sparkling wines that are often compared to each other due to their similarities. As such, one would be curious whether prosecco pops like champagne does.
Yes, prosecco does pop the same way as champagne does. Both champagne and prosecco bottles pop when opened due to the carbonation and pressure build-up inside the bottle. Once the bottle is uncorked, this pressure is released and the bottle makes the iconic popping sound.
Champagne vs Prosecco: What’s the Difference Between the Two Sparkling Wines?
Champagne and prosecco are two of the world’s most popular sparkling wine varieties. We’ve already established above that even though they’re different, they do pop the same way. But how are these two sparkling wines different exactly?
Areas of production: Champagne region and Prosecco region
The first clear difference between champagne and prosecco is their areas of production.
Champagne is produced in the historical Champagne wine region northeast of France and east of Paris. Only sparkling wine made and produced in this region with grapes harvested in this region as well are to be considered official and genuine champagne.
Prosecco wine on the other hand is only produced in the Prosecco village of Italy, where it is recognized as an official DOC (or DOCG).. This area spans nine provinces including the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions.
The DOC or DOCG designations on prosecco bottles mean that they come specifically from the Prosecco region in Italy.
Champagne is a French sparkling wine while prosecco is its Italian sparkling wine counterpart.
Grape varieties
Champagne must be produced with grapes grown in France’s Champagne region. There are three main varieties used for this bubbly: Pinot Noir grapes, Pinot Meunier grapes, and Chardonnay grapes. Although these are the main varieties used, some other varieties that can also be used in the blend include Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Arbane, and Petit Maslier.
Prosecco is produced with a grape variety called Glera. This variety was previously called the Prosecco grape. The name change was as recent as 2009 to avoid confusion.
The Glera grape variety makes up at least 85% of the blend. The remaining 15% allows other permitted varieties to be included.
Method of production
Both champagne and prosecco wine-making methods begin with making still wine, a blend without bubbles. Both sparkling wine varieties undergo a second stage of fermentation where the bubbles develop.
This is where the difference in their production methods starts.
Champagne producers use the wine-making process called the traditional method, also known as Méthode Traditionnelle, Méthode Champenoise, Méthode Classique, and Classic Method.
In this method, the base wine is put into the individual champagne bottle where it will undergo the second fermentation process while resting inside the wine cellar.
Meanwhile, prosecco uses the Charmat method, also known as the Martinotti method, Metodo Italiano, Cuvée Close method, tank method, and Autoclave method.
In this method, the base wine undergoes the second fermentation process inside large stainless steel pressure tanks, instead of in individual bottles.
Aging
Aging requirements for champagne range from 18 to 30 months. Sometimes, this is even longer. Prosecco is aged for a shorter period ranging from 30 days to six months.
Taste and flavor profile
Both champagne and prosecco have distinct flavor profiles.
Champagne has a more toasty, butty, and bakery flavor profile. Notes of toasty bread and brioche are very common.
Prosecco has a more fruity and brighter flavor profile. It’s sweeter and retains its fresh fruit flavors.
Bubbles and carbonation
Champagne has stronger bubbles and carbonation compared to prosecco’s softer bubbles.
Price
Generally, champagne is much more expensive than prosecco due to the differences in the production method used.
Making champagne is more expensive and time-consuming because of the in-bottle second fermentation. Prosecco is faster and more efficient to produce because it uses an in-tank second fermentation.
Of course, other factors like brand, variety, and size will also matter in determining the price tag.
Conclusion
The sound of popping open a bottle of bubbly officially starts any celebration. Several sparkling wines are a mainstay in celebrations including Italy’s prosecco. But does prosecco pop like champagne?
Prosecco is a bubbly beverage from the Prosecco region of Italy. And because it’s also a sparkline wine just like champagne, it does pop and make that iconic popping sound once opened, just like champagne. This is due to the carbonation and pressure build-up inside the bottle.
Prosecco and champagne are often interchanged terms in the sparkling wine world. Knowing how they are similar and different can help you choose which bubbly drink is better for you to serve.
