When we want to celebrate and cheers to success, what better way than with sparkling wine? While Champagne is a preferred beverage, the French tipple can come at a higher price. If you want to be luxurious but maintain your bank balance, Prosecco is a fantastic alternative. With a crisp and aromatic taste, notes of yellow apple, white peach, pear, and apricot, the bubbly is popular the world over. Usually served as an apéritif, Prosecco can also be enjoyed with seafood, cured meats and cheeses, and Asian dishes like noodles or sushi.
13th August 2021 is Nation Prosecco Day, and the occasion must be marked! If you’d like to learn more about the beverage, including the history, creating cocktails, and the dietary specifications, read on!
The Facts and History of Prosecco
- Where does prosecco come from? The sparkling wine was named after a village in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, near the city of Trieste in north-eastern Italy
- Did you know that Prosecco comes from Ancient Roman times, and has thought to have been drank as far back as 200BC?
- The name “Prosecco” was first mentioned in an Italian book called Il Roccolo Ditiramboby Aureliano Acanti
- Roman Empress Livia Drusilla attributed her long life to drinking Prosecco, and even referred to it as “the elixir of life”
- How many units of alcohol in a bottle of prosecco? A bottle of Prosecco must be between 10.5 per cent and 11.5 per cent alcohol per volume
- How many calories in a glass of prosecco? A 125ml glass of Prosecco can be as little as 86 calories, which is about 14 calories less than a can of cola
- A 125ml glass of Prosecco contains approximately 1.5 units of alcohol
- How many glasses in a bottle of prosecco? There are about six glasses of Prosecco per bottle
- Prosecco without bubbles is available in stores, known as Tranquillo
- Prosecco tastes better in a tulip glass or flute rather than in a wine glass
- Traditional and official Prosecco will often have DOC in the title, meaning Denominazione di Origine Controllata, or “controlled designation of origin”
- It is unlucky to cheers with an empty glass, or cheers and not drink
- Prosecco is actually pronounced like pruh-seh-kow
- Prosecco is believed to have medical properties and is thought it could help with blood pressure, memory loss, your skin, and prevent respiratory problems
- In June 2021 bridal fashion designer Vera Wang launched her own Prosecco, PARTY
Prosecco as Part of a Balanced Diet
While it is not advised to drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, Prosecco does have a lot of wonderful perks. For example, if you are gluten-free, most wines including Prosecco are also perfect for your diet! With added antioxidants and a lower alcohol measure than other varieties of sparkling wine, Prosecco is better for your diet compared to other alcohols.
Did you also know that most Prosecco is vegan? As usually no animal products are needed, it can be certified vegan! Although we do advise checking the label, as some may use egg whites or animal protein for example as part of the fining process (this is a process in winemaking to clarify and stabilise the wine and will thereby change the colour and aroma).
Prosecco Cocktails
It is such a sweet and easily paired drink you’d have a hard time making a bad cocktail with Prosecco. Delicious Prosecco cocktails like Mimosas, Bellini, and Aperol Spritz are classic party drinks, and if you’d like to try something new, there’s so much that can be done with Prosecco! If you’re a mixologist, a connoisseur, or an enthusiast, try making Prosecco cocktails at home and see what pops for you! One Tik Tok user Travel_laa created the Sorbet Prosecco cocktail, an instant viral success and summer drink.
Prosecco Sales
In 2019 it was reported that Prosecco had reached a record high in sales, with production value being estimated as a whopping €524.6 million! This is broken down as 56.3 per cent sold domestically, and 43.7 per cent exported. That’s some valuable bubbles!
Sadly in 2020, the Prosecco market experienced a dip, much like many other businesses did, due to the Coronavirus outbreak. With Prosecco Day fast approaching, and the vaccine being widely distributed, sales are likely to increase again with so much to celebrate!
How much does Prosecco Cost?
There is such a vast price range of Prosecco that you don’t need to spend more for better quality. Aldi’s Costellore Prosecco Frizzante DOC is priced at just £4.99* per bottle, the cheapest in the UK! It currently sits on a 4-star review and caused a stir on its release due to its low price.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious price, the limited edition Brottega Stardust Prosecco 2015 is priced at £99.95*, the most expensive in the UK! Adorned with 3000 crystals on the bottle to mimic the Prosecco bubbles, it was created by the Brottega family, winemakers since the 1600s.
Special Proseccos
Prosecco DOS Rosé, or pink prosecco, recently hit the shelves in the UK and became an instant hit! There are very strict conditions and standards when it comes to alcohol, for instance, Champagne can only be called so if it has been created in the Champagne region of France with specific grapes. Because of this, pink prosecco must follow the same standards as white prosecco, and be created in the Vento region of Italy, using mostly glera grapes, and 10-15% pinot noir grapes.
When you next enjoy a glass of Prosecco or would observe the drink on National Prosecco Day, we hope this article gave you some facts to share, some recipes to create, and something to celebrate. Cin cin!
*Prices correct at the time of publishing
