We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Over the last few years, prosecco sales have soared in popularity and it’s no surprise why. As Champagne prices continue to climb—and the fervent need for delicious bubbles continues to rise—prosecco has become the affordable, fruit-forward solution to satisfying sparkling needs. However, not all proseccos are created equal.
"A great prosecco is one that has typicity and a respect for authenticity,” says Stefano Zanette, the president of the Prosecco DOC Consortium. “It all starts in the vineyard, by picking the best glera grapes during harvest. Then it's followed by a strict production method that continuously controls the first and second fermentation (Martinotti method) to obtain a high-quality product that truly represents our land and culture.” Zanette notes that prosecco's signature aromas are floral, fresh, and loaded with flavors of bright citrus, green apple and pear.
In short, vineyard sites, vinification choices, and final amounts of residual sugar all play a role in how a final wine tastes. To help you find the right bottle, here are the best proseccos to drink in every situation that calls for bubbles.
Best Overall: Bisol Crede Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2020-12-04at9.40.09AM-5c94d22fe2944f03862995aa11cbaf32.png)
courtesy of drizly
In the world of prosecco, it doesn’t get much better than Bisol. This fruit-driven and highly aromatic wine is loaded with flavors of yellow apples, stone fruit, wildflowers and fresh-cut melon. "Crede" means clay, which refers to the clay-heavy soils in which the fruit grows. No matter where you are, what’s on the menu, or the time of day, this bottle promises a seriously good time.
Related: The Best Wine Stoppers
Best for Brunch: Scarpetta Prosecco
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/scarpetto-prosecco-39c00f73667c44cc86861f1e177d78ed.jpg)
Courtesy of Vivino
Brunch and bubbles go hand in hand. This delicious prosecco from Scarpetta pairs perfectly with a variety of brunch favorites, including eggs Benedict, French toast or simple yogurt parfaits. Notes of tart green apples, honeydew, citrus, and white flower blossoms make this wine pleasant to drink at any hour of the day (we don’t blame you if this bottle carries you straight into aperitivo hour).
“Prosecco used to be a dry aperitivo sparkling wine 25 years ago, then the RS [residual sugar] started creeping up,” says Bobby Stuckey, master sommelier and co-founder of Frasca Food and Wine and Scarpetta Wines. “Scarpetta has less than 4 grams of RS, compared to many top brands being around 13 grams. We look to make a dry, light and aromatic prosecco.”
Best for Mimosas: Biancavigna Prosecco Brut
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bianca-vigna-prosseco-635b457c8f5841b8b1ef9d3911fa2fd6.jpg)
Courtesy of Wine.com
Just because your prosecco is getting mixed with juice doesn’t mean that quality should be sacrificed. The pear, green apple, and slate-influenced notes in this medium-bodied wine beautifully complement the flavors and acidity in fresh-squeezed orange juice. Save a splash on the side and sip on its own to truly see what this wine is about. You won’t regret it.
Related: The Best Wines
Best Budget: Riondo Prosecco Brut
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Webp.net-resizeimage7-03610c1db2af45d7bf5c6c241d8e85ae.jpg)
Courtesy of Cantine Riondo
Bubbles don’t have to be expensive, especially when they taste as good as Riondo’s Brut Prosecco. Floral and citrus-driven aromatics on the nose lead to a palate loaded with flavors of melon, lime leaf and white flower petals. Bright acidity and a persistent finish make this budget-friendly option one of the best out of the market’s bigger-name options.
Best for Weeknight Bubbles: Sommariva Prosecco Superiore Brut
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Webp.net-resizeimage-864eeeb5ec9e414b89a2a038d87bd9c4.jpg)
Courtesy of Wine.com
Gone are the days where bubbles were designated for celebrations only. Enjoying delicious sparkling wine on any night of the week should be normalized, and Sommariva’s Brut Prosecco is a great start. Notes of Granny Smith apples, lychee, and toast ooze from the wine’s textured and tasty palate. This bottle’s certain to give your favorite Champagne a run for its money.
"Prosecco’s fresh and light taste, along with its affordability, make it the perfect choice for weeknights,” says Zanette. “Drinking prosecco regularly also allows you to experience the culture from the land where it comes from.”
Best for Happy Hour: Masottina Prosecco Brut
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Webp.net-resizeimage1-5bff5140821845dfbf7a3c2b5ce54da1.jpg)
Courtesy of Wine.com
Although happy hour wines at bars are generally synonymous with subpar juice, we believe that happy hour wines at home should elevate any night in. Masottina’s Organic Prosecco is fresh, fruit-driven, and loaded with flavors of citrus juice, honeydew and white flowers. The wine goes great with fresh seafood and shellfish, though if simple potato chips and popcorn are on the menu, you really can’t go wrong here.
“If done in a dry style, prosecco can be one of the great aperitivo wines,” says Stuckey. “When crisp and light, it pairs with anything from chips and fritto misto to prosciutto, anchovies, salads and more.”
Best for Parties: Botter Per Ora Prosecco
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Webp.net-resizeimage2-41e134aab7304944927a1b287551e58e.jpg)
Courtesy of Vivino.com
When popping bottles at a party, finding a crowd-pleasing wine at a great price is key—enter Botter Per Ora Prosecco. This tart and tasty sparkler is loaded with flavors of green apple skin, canned pears and stone fruit. The wine’s food-friendly nature and creamy mouthfeel make it a perfect pairing with a variety of appetizers, though we particularly love it with sushi, Caprese skewers or creamy cheeses.
"Prosecco’s versatility makes it easy to pair with any type of cuisine. Who wouldn’t want to go to a party with a bottle of prosecco to pop to get the fun started?" says Zanette. (For the record, we agree.)
Best for Aperol Spritz: Zonin Prosecco Cuvée
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Webp.net-resizeimage3-31b480eba37c4771872188862825785c.jpg)
Courtesy of Vivino.com
This super easy-to-find prosecco is loaded with flavors of fresh melon, pear skin and citrus rind, and after testing numerous options, we find that these notes pair best with the sweet-yet-bitter notes found in Aperol. Best of all, the wine’s approachable price tag—and availability in various sizes—makes it ideal for mixing into cocktails when not sipping solo.
Related: The Best Champagnes
Best for Gifting: Cà dei Zago Valdobbiadene Prosecco
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Webp.net-resizeimage4-6b0544befba14e86866ec5682f5242e0.jpg)
Courtesy of Vivino.com
This delicious prosecco boasts flavors of citrus, grapefruit skin, green apple and lemon zest. The fruit comes from 50-year-old vines farmed all organically and biodynamically—which means gifting (and drinking) responsibly has never tasted so good. Cà dei Zago has been producing prosecco in Veneto since 1924 and focuses on old vines and native varieties (there's a smidge of other grapes besides glera in here). The wine’s gorgeous packaging only adds to its giftability.
Related: The Best Sparkling Wines