The most important etiquette considerations on how to serve and drink Prosecco. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest.

What Prosecco etiquette is

Prosecco etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and drink Prosecco. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.

If you are hosting, follow Prosecco etiquette to appropriately serve it to your guests.

If you are a guest, respect Prosecco etiquette rules to properly drink and enjoy it.

What you should know about Prosecco

Prosecco is a sparkling wine. It is produced in the Veneto and Friuli regions of North-East Italy. Prosecco is made mostly from Glera grapes. It has larger bubbles than Champagne and fruity and floral notes.

Prosecco is either a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) or a Denominazione di Origine Controllata Garantita (DOCG). Both DOC and DOCG are Italian certifications that guarantee the quality and the production methods.

Etiquette rules for serving and drinking Prosecco

1) How to store Prosecco

Store Prosecco in a cool and dry place. The temperature should be constant. 

Store the bottles on a side, in a horizontal position. Keep them away from light, either artificial or direct sunlight. Keep them far from sources of heat.

Do not store Prosecco in the fridge or freezer. Both are too cold and risk spoiling the wine. Furthermore, the cold temperature of the freezer can make the cork pop.

2) How to prepare Prosecco

Do not pour Prosecco in a decanter.

Place the bottle in an ice bucket for 30-45 minutes before serving. Alternatively, put the bottle in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

Avoid chilling glasses in the fridge. The condensation waters down the wine and dilutes its taste.

You can mix Prosecco in cocktails. Such as Spritz, Mimosa, Bellini, or Rossini.

3) How to serve Prosecco

Serve Prosecco chilled or cold. The ideal temperature is 6-8°C (43-47°F). 

Present Prosecco in its bottle. It is good etiquette to open the bottle at the dining table.

Open the bottle by holding the cork with your palm. Gently rotate the bottle to ease the cork out. Avoid popping the cork as it is bad manners.

Be careful about the pressure. Do not shake the bottle. When you open the bottle, have a couple of empty glasses ready nearby, to pour the wine if it spills. 

After opening the bottle, you can place it in a bucket of water and ice to keep it chilled.

Hold the bottle by its body, never by its neck or cork. Fill the glass between ⅓ and ½.

Serve Prosecco in white wine chalices. Avoid Champagne flutes or saucer glasses as they are not the best options. Prosecco needs a wider glass than a flute to release its bouquet. It also needs a glass with a stem longer than a saucer to stay cold.

4) When to serve & drink Prosecco

Prosecco is considered a popular wine. Thus, it is most appropriate for informal occasions.

It is ideal for an aperitivo or as a pre-meal drink. You can serve it during brunch, light lunch, barbecue, or a party.

As it gains popularity, Prosecco is becoming increasingly appropriate for formal occasions, such as formal dinners.

5) Food & aromas to pair Prosecco with

Prosecco pairs well with several foods. 

Pair Prosecco with fish and seafood. Shrimp, prawns, scampi, clams, and oysters. It is a great match with Italian cured meat. Such as Prosciutto Crudo or Bresaola. 

Prosecco goes well with vegetables. Asparagus, radicchio, onions, or carrots. You can pair it with most fruits. Strawberries, berries, and watermelon are some of the best pairings.

You can pair Prosecco with Italian cheese. Scamorza, Provola, Gorgonzola, Pecorino, or Parmigiano.

6) Etiquette for drinking Prosecco

Drink Prosecco in white wine chalices. Hold the glass by its stem to avoid warming the wine with your hand.

Drink it in small sips. A glass of Prosecco should last between 10 and 20 minutes. Never drink shots of Prosecco.

Never add ice to Prosecco. However, it is appropriate to add ice to a Prosecco cocktail, such as Spritz.

Prosecco etiquette: the worst mistakes

The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors. 

A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.  

Avoid the worst Prosecco etiquette mistakes. 

• 10/10. Getting drunk.
• 8/10. Popping the cork.
• 7/10. Drinking shots of Prosecco.
• 7/10. Adding ice to Prosecco
• 7/10. Serving Prosecco warm.
• 6/10. Not holding the glass by the stem. 

Additional information for properly serving Prosecco

How many calories per serving?

Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.

Prosecco contains about 70 calories per 100 ml (3.5 oz). A glass of Prosecco is typically 150 ml (5 oz) and has 105 calories.

How to buy the best Prosecco

A crucial factor in Prosecco etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.

Availability

Prosecco is available all year round.

Choose the best

Buy only Prosecco that presents the acronym DOC or DOCG on its label. Both acronyms guarantee that the producers respected the strict quality requirements set by their consortium. 

Choose the type of Prosecco that best suits your preference or the occasion.

Prosecco Spumante is the most common type and it is the most sparkling. Prosecco Frizzante is less sparkling. 

Then, there are 4 main categories of Prosecco, based on their residual sugar. 

• Brut (most dry).
• Extra Dry.
• Dry. 
• Demi-sec (sweetest).

Dry Prosecco is the best option for pre-meal drinks. Sweet Prosecco is better suited to accompany dessert or fruit salads, or for after-meal drinks.

Alternatives to Prosecco

The obvious choice is to substitute Prosecco with another popular sparkling wine. Champagne, Cava, and Franciacorta are the most popular options.

FAQs

What exactly is Prosecco? Prosecco is a sparkling wine from Italy.

Is Prosecco a Champagne? No, Prosecco and Champagne are very different wines. Prosecco is from Italy, and Champagne is from France. Prosecco is made from Glera grapes. Champagne from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay grapes. Prosecco has larger bubbles and is more fruity.

Is Prosecco dry or sweet? There are 4 varieties of Prosecco. Prosecco Brut is the driest. Prosecco Demi-sec is the sweetest.

Sources

• Prosecco Consortium: prosecco.wine