Prosecco Wine Region

Named after the former village of Prosecco, now part of the Italian city of Trieste, Prosecco DOC is both a geographical designation and the former name of the region's primary grape variety, which is now called Glera. Prosecco wine appellation is Denominazione di Origine Controllata for sparkling wines. One of the famous wines you can taste in this wine district is Prosecco itself.

Find out more about wine tasting & tours in Prosecco!

History of Viticulture in Prosecco Region

Viticulture in the Prosecco Region area was developed over many centuries: the wine was already produced as far back as Roman times using the Glera grape, which initially grew near the village of Prosecco.

In the 18th century, the cultivation of Glera developed throughout the hills of Veneto and extended to the lower areas. This is where the Prosecco wine was first made at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to the introduction of new secondary fermentation technologies.

Prosecco DOC is made with the Glera grape, and producers use the Martinotti method for vinification. Interestingly, the secondary fermentation does not take place in individual bottles as in the Champenoise method, instead, they use large steel tanks.

In 1772 Francesco Maria Malvolti first united the Conegliano Valdobbiadene region and Prosecco region.However, it wasn’t until the 1930s that the borders of the wine production area for Prosecco were officially outlined.

2009 was a historic year for the Prosecco wine region when its iconic terroir acquired the highest denomination from the Italian government of D.O.C.G.; meaning that the laws for making Prosecco wine are stricter than the D.O.C., where harvesting, winemaking, and bottling must take place on-site.

Prosecco Wine Map

Prosecco wine region belongs to the bigger region of Veneto, northeast of Italy. The neighbouring wine regions are Friuli Venezia Giulia, Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. Also, the city of Venice is nearby and likewise you can discover and visit the closest wineries to the city of Venice.

Dry Terroir of Prosecco wine region

The Prosecco wine region enjoys a mild microclimate with generous rainfall and sunshine. The exact soil type here varies between vineyards but is generally a mixture of limestone, clay, marl, and marine sandstone. When coupled with the temperate climate, these soil conditions make this region ideal for cultivating Prosecco’s Glera grape.

The D.O.C.G. terroir of the Prosecco region is perfect with clay, sandstone, and tertiary marne that allows fast drainage of rainwater and the constant addition of water for the vines. In addition, the rocky and rich sand, full of nutrients and minerals, is essential for the best ripening of the grapes. The average altitude of the Prosecco area is 250-300 m above sea level, where hills roll into one another, all revealed to the sun.

The morphology of the Prosecco sites, the micro and mesoclimate, the soil, and the yield of the vineyard lead to unique combinations of grape maturity, acidity, and aroma that ultimately influence the sensory properties of the wines produced.

Prosecco wine characteristics

Prosecco DOC is a bright straw yellow wine with fine, persistent aromas of white flowers, apple, and pear. Prosecco DOC Rosé, a pale pink wine with fine and persistent results from an extended stop on the fermentation yeast at 60 days. Both Prosecco DOC and Prosecco DOC Rosé are fresh and refined on the palate. In addition to Glera, regulations allow a maximum of 15% of the following varietals: Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir.

The main grape variety in Prosecco wine appellation is Glera, also known as Prosecco, which is a white variety of grapes. It has a Slovenian origin, which was brought to the village of Prosecco from the Karst region. This grape variety was previously referred to as Prosecco, but in the EU was renamed “Glera” in 2009 to make room for the protection of “Prosecco” as the name of a type of wine. Glera is a rather neutral grape variety that is mainly cultivated for use in sparkling Italian wines, like Prosecco sparkling wine.

Food to Pair with Prosecco wine

1.Cacio e Pepe

This old dish with Roman origins is considered one of the easiest and most delightful Italian dishes. Cacio e Pepe consists of pasta, aged Pecorino Romano cheese, numerous ground black pepper, and salt. Since the components are easy to transport and do not spoil soon, it was once the favoured dish of Roman shepherds.

The pepper covered the shepherds from the effects of cold weather during the night, while the pasta nourished them, they needed to complete their back-breaking labour. However, this easy dish is so good that the well-known chef Anthony Bourdain defined it by saying it “could be the greatest thing in the history of the world.” It is recommended to pair the dish with Prosecco wine.

2.Fried Sage Leaves (Salvia Fritta)

Salvia Fritta is a classic Italian dish that's enjoyed throughout the country. The dish is prepared with a mixture of sage leaves, oil, and a batter that usually consists of flour, olive oil, egg whites, and salt. The sage leaves should be not too large and too small, with a long enough stem that can act as a grip when the leaves are plunged through the batter.

Once battered, the sage leaves are fried in hot oil until crisp. Before serving, salvia Fritta is sprayed with salt. It's recommended to pair this unique dish with a glass of prosecco on the side.

3.Focaccia

Focaccia is an oven-baked Italian bread and can be topped with a range of ingredients such as coarse sea salt, olive oil, herbs, tomatoes, or olives. Historians believe that it was created either by the Etruscans or Greeks.

The name focaccia is derived from the Roman panis focacius, meaning “hearth bread”, referring to the fact that focaccia was traditionally baked in coals in Roman times. The primary recipe applied to France and Spain over time, where the bread is known as fouaisse and hogaza, respectively.

Foccacia’s pockmarked formation results from indentations made in the dough to stop large bumps from occurring on its cover during baking. Today, savory interpretations of focaccia are completed with rosemary, sage, garlic, cheese, onions, honey, raisins, sugar, and lemon peel, among others. You should pair this dish with a glass of Prosecco wine.

Places to visit in Prosecco wine region

Miramare Castle

Miramare Castle is a 19th-century castle built for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium. Located on the Gulf of Trieste between Grignano and Barcola, it was constructed from 1856 to 1860. The castle grounds cover an extensive cliff and sea shore park. Numerous tropical species of trees and plants can be found throughout the grounds.

Botanical Garden Carsiana

The Giardino Botanico Carsiana is a botanical garden located within the municipality of Sgonico between the villages of Gabrovizza and Sgonico, Province of Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia close to Prosecco wine appellation. The garden was initially created in 1964 to preserve species indigenous to the Carso limestone plateau and in 1972 gained support from the Trieste Provincial Government, which has owned it ever since. The garden currently contains 600 of the 1600 native plant species. It is spread over a 6,000 m² area and has lots of signs in it to identify individual plants and features of the local topography.

BIOMA - BIOdiversitario Marino

Bioma - Marine Biodiversity Centre is an environmental study centre designed to offer you a truly immersive experience. It is open all year round and contains all the varied environments of the Gulf of Trieste and the Miramare Marine Protected Area. From the surface of the sea to its depths and down, there is everything that makes this place an amazing example of marine biodiversity.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Prosecco wine