While both Champagne and Prosecco are popular sparkling wine styles, there are quite a few differences between them – where and how they’re made, flavors, pricing, aging potential, investment-worthiness, and more!
Methods of production
The winemaking processes used to produce Prosecco and Champagne are pretty different.
In general, to transform the still wine to sparkling, the winemaker needs to carry out an additional fermentation to release carbon dioxide. This carbonation gives sparkling wine its delicious sparkle.
The Methode Champenoise produces Champagne (the traditional method or method.) That means the second fermentation of the grape juice is carried out immediately after the bottling.
The base wine is surrounded by leaves (dead yeast cells) inside the bottle.
The bottle is progressively tipped upside down so the leaves accumulate within the bottleneck.
It is frozen, and dead yeast cells are then removed.
The bottle is then corked, and the Champagne is allowed to mature for 1.5-3 years.
The lees in the bottle give Champagne its distinctive, smooth texture. The bottle fermentation produces a much more intense pressure-volume (5-6 bar) than Prosecco, which only has two or three bars of pressure at the atmospheric level.
The Champagne method is very long and labor-intensive, which makes it more expensive.
However, Prosecco goes through the more efficient and less expensive process of storing in tanks (also called the “charat” method). Charmat technique.) This second fermentation is carried out within large tanks of stainless steel rather than in the bottle, like in the Methode champenoise.
The extensive tank fermentation produces more fruity, light, and less fizzy sparkling wines.
Flavor Profile
The flavor profile of these sparkling wines is affected mainly by their production methods.
When Champagne is aged in its lees in bottles (Methode champenoise), it creates a more complex taste composition of brioche, biscuits, and yeast. This often combines almond, orange blossom, and white peach taste notes.
The longer time spent aging Champagne results in a smoother texture and beautiful bubbles.
The second fermentation stage of Prosecco’s inside the tank makes refreshing and fruity sparkling wines. The typical flavor profile comprises melon, apple honeysuckle, and pear.
Sweetness Levels
Both Champagne and Prosecco come at different sweetness levels. The wine dosage determines these – adding wine and sugar to the final blend.
Prosecco usually tastes sweeter than Champagne due to its light body. The most commonly used type of both is Brut (up to 12g sugars per Liter.)
Food Pairing
Prosecco’s sweeter, lighter, fruity notes pair well with cured meats, fruity desserts, and spicy Asian dishes.
Champagne’s sophisticated taste profile, distinctive dryness, and acidity perfectly match many seafood dishes like oysters, shellfish, and clams. Champagne is also a great match with traditional meals like Fried pork, fries, and steak.
Price
Another significant difference between Prosecco and Champagne is pricing.
The expensive production process of Champagne drives the cost of this luxuriant bubbly significantly higher than Prosecco. Additionally, the cost of the grapes used in making Champagne has increased by more than 80 percent in the past 15 years, which means that so have the prices for vineyards within the area.
On average, an excellent-quality Champagne bottle costs about $40. Prices can vary significantly from $10 to $5,000!
On the other hand, you can purchase a quality bottle of Prosecco between $12 and $15 and prices that range between $3 and $50.
What about their durability and investment opportunities?
Aging and Investment-Worthiness
Champagne usually has great longevity – at least two decades for good vintages and even more for some exceptional bottles.
Prosecco, however, has a concise shelf life. A bottle of Prosecco should be consumed approximately one year from the release date. This means that Prosecco is not suitable for investment.
However, Champagne is one of the most popular investments in the wine business!
The cost of vintage Champagne increases with time, regardless of its vintage or quality. From 2005 until 2020, Champagne was ranked as the second best-performing region in the Livex 1,000 index (an overall return of 290 percent.)
In an Acker Merrall & Condit auction held in New York in 2008, the most sought-after 1959 Dom Perignon Rose bottle was auctioned off for $42,700.
The oldest champagne bottle – the 1841 Veuve Clicquot bottle salvaged from the wreck of a ship in a 2010 auction for $34,000. Acker Merrall & Condit auction.
After we’ve explained the distinctions, let’s look at which sparkling drink is suitable for your next drink!
Prosecco or Champagne for Cocktails
You can use Prosecco and Champagne to make your favorite sparkling wine cocktail.
If you own an extravagant Champagne bottle, you may prefer to enjoy it as is and not mix it up with juice and other spirits.
Let’s now see how Prosecco or Champagne differ from other sparkling wines.
Difference Between Prosecco, Champagne, and Other Sparkling Wines
Usually, sparkling wine is an umbrella term used for all sparkling wine styles, wherever they’re made.
The sparkling wines that are produced in various regions can also be referred to under these names:
Cava: Cava is a sparkling white wine that comes from Spain. The second fermentation process is carried out directly within the bottles (following this method in the Champenoise.) Cava is made using Parellada Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarello grape varieties.
Cremant It is a sparkling wine made in France and produced outside Champagne. Champagne appellation.
Lambrusco Lambrusco is an Italian sparkling red wine produced by methode traditionnelle or the Charmat or traditional method.
Asti Spumante: Asti Spumante is an Italian sparkling white wine made using Moscato Bianco grapes.
Let’s look at the top Champagne and Prosecco sparkling wines to look into in 2023.
Best Champagne and Prosecco Bottles to Buy in 2023
Below are some of our best Champagne and Prosecco selections:
1995 Boerl & Kroff Brut Millesime
This exquisite Champagne has a distinct fizzy texture, bright acidity, and bold character. The initial brioche flavor transitions into mild honey and mineral hints. The nose is opulent with a rich aroma of apple and pear.
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Yellowboam Stingray Skin
This Champagne has a delightful fruity flavor profile and pleasant acidity. White peach, brioche, and apple hints on the palate transition into a lingering citrus aftertaste.
1988 Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne
This is a marvelous Champagne from Krug. This sparkling wine showcases a dominant lemon aroma and a subtle mineral, truffle, and biscuit taste.
2013 Bisol Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Cartizze DOCG
This fruity sparkler from the heart of Veneto, Italy, is made exclusively with the Glera grape varietal. The juicy apple and strawberry flavor profile transitions into gooseberry, hay, and tangerine undertones that will delight your taste buds.