What’s the difference between Champagne and Prosecco? – ask Decanter

Two popular styles of sparkling wine, but each very different. We explain the main differences between the two….

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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.

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