Though both may be great picks to elevate a celebration, there’s a lot to distinguish Champagne and Prosecco from each other. Geographical location, permitted grape varieties, production method and flavour profile all make a difference in understanding these two wine styles.
But let’s start with the similarities. Both Champagne and Prosecco are permitted to make rosé sparkling wines under the respective names; although for Prosecco, this was only approved in May 2020.
The two regions have also been recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage sites for their viticultural heritage. The hillsides, houses and cellars of Champagne around Reims and Epernay in 2015 and the region of Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, including the DOCG winegrowing area, in 2019.
Champagne and Prosecco: Regions and grapes
Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, located approximately 150km northeast of Paris. Prosecco comes from the northwestern Italian regions of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Champagne can be a blend or single varietal wine. The most planted grape varieties are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, but another four are also permitted: Arbane, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris.
Prosecco is made principally from the Glera grape variety, which must make up at least 85% of the blend. The variety used to be called Prosecco but in 2009 its name was changed to Glera. At the same time, Prosecco was registered in EU law as the DOC, preventing other regions from using the name, although this caused a certain amount
