#Decanter » Feed alternate alternate Skip to content » rfity Decanter Decanter Decanter * Subscribe * Digital Edition * Premium Decanter cover Decanter Decanter Decanter ____________________ Search for: (Submit) Search * * * Premium + Exclusive Tastings + Wine Review Search + Magazine Articles * Wine Reviews + Find a Wine Review + Panel Tastings + Best Wines of 2016 * Christmas 2017 * News & Opinion + All Columns + Andrew Jefford + Jane Anson + Editors’ Column * Wine Travel * Learn + Wine Quizzes + Ask Decanter + Wine Regions + Producer Profiles + Grape Varieties + Vintage Guides + How To + Food * Events + Upcoming Events + Previous Events * Awards + Decanter World Wine Awards + Decanter Asia Wine Awards + Decanter Retailer Awards + Enter Decanter Awards * Subscribe * En Primeur * Home * Learn * Advice What’s the difference between Champagne and Prosecco? – ask Decanter * Ellie Douglas * July 12, 2017 0shares 0shares Two popular styles of sparkling wine, but each very different. We explain the main differences between the two…. difference between Champagne and Prosecco What's the difference between Champagne and Prosecco? Credit: Cath Lowe/Decanter TAGS: Ask Decanter What’s the difference between Champagne and Prosecco? – ask Decanter Regions and grapes First things first, Champagne comes from the Champagne region in France, and Prosecco from Veneto in Northern Italy. Champagne can be a blend or single varietal wine made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape variety. Difference between Champagne Prosecco Credit: Cath Lowe/Decanter __________________________________________________________________ See also: What to eat with sparkling wines – summer pairing ideas __________________________________________________________________ Methods of production The second key difference between these two sparkling wines are the methods of production; in particular, how the wine is made sparkling. In both cases, the original still wine undergoes a second fermentation, creating the CO2 which makes it sparkling. In Champagne, the method Champenoise or ‘traditional method’ is used. This where the second fermentation happens in the bottle; yeast is added along with sugars (liqueur de tirage). The bottles are left tipped, neck down, in racks, so when fermentation has finished, the dead yeast cells collect in the neck. When it is ready, the neck of the bottle is frozen and the dead yeast cells release – a process called ‘disgorgement’. The wine is then resealed and left to age; for non-vintage, it must be aged a minimum of 18 months, for vintage it is three years. difference between Champagne and Prosecco A bottle being disgorged In Prosecco, the ‘tank method’ is most often used, where the second fermentation happens in a large tank. Again, yeast is added, along with sugars, to the base wine. While second fermentation happens, the tank is sealed to prevent the CO2 from escaping, making the wine fizzy, before it is bottled and sealed. Flavours These two methods of production result in quite different flavour profiles for these wines. difference between Champagne and Prosecco How do the flavours differ? The closer contact with the yeast in the Champagne method means that it generally has more autolytic flavours – bread, brioche and toast, as well as citrus fruit flavours. __________________________________________________________________ See also: Tasting notes decoded __________________________________________________________________ The yeast has less of an influence on the Prosecco made with the tank method, because there is less contact during the second fermentation. Prosecco is more about the fruit flavour profile of the Glera grape – associated with pear, apple, plus honeysuckle and floral notes. However, some Prosecco styles do also have lees ageing, or are made using the ‘traditional method’, generally giving a more complex wine. More on sparkling wines: Champagne mousse What generates the fine mousse in a Champagne? Ask Decanter A sign of a great Champagne...? prosecco extra dry Why does my ‘extra dry’ Prosecco taste sweet? – ask Decanter Sweeter than you thought...? spoon in champagne Does putting a spoon in Champagne work? – ask Decanter Does it keep Champagne sparkling...? Champagne corks Champagne corks – ask Decanter Why do Champagne bottles have mushroom-shaped corks..? Champagne fizz Champagne fizz fading – ask Decanter My Champagne never seems to have much fizz... champagne cellar Do crémants age as well as Champagne? – Ask Decanter Does Crémant de Bourgogne age as well as Champagne? Decanter sparkling wine trends Sparkling wine trends: English wine will be a ‘must-have for every list’ Sparkling wine trends More like Grower Champagne Sparkling wine will become more site-focused in the future, emulating Grower Champagne, predicted… Trattoria Alla Cima, Prosecco Five sparkling wine regions to visit Where better to try some sparkling wine than touring the regions that make it? 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