With spring turning to summer, the invitations are about to start rolling in, and nothing says "let's celebrate" like the pop of a cork. Prosecco is the sparkling wine Australians reach for most often: light, fruity, easy to drink and friendly on the budget. But if you care about how your drinks are grown and made, a fair question follows. What actually goes into a bottle of prosecco, and what changes when it is organic?

This guide covers what prosecco is, how it differs from other sparkling wine, how to read the label, and what "organic" really means in your glass.

What is prosecco?

Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine made mainly from a white grape called Glera. To be sold as Prosecco DOC, the wine must be at least 85% Glera and come from the designated region in north-eastern Italy. The best-known growing areas sit in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia.

What gives prosecco its fresh, fruity character is the way it is made. After the first fermentation, the still wine goes through a second fermentation in a large, pressurised stainless steel tank rather than in the bottle. This is often called the tank method, or Charmat method. It keeps the wine bright and aromatic, with notes of green apple, pear, white blossom and citrus, and it explains why prosecco is usually more affordable than bottle-fermented sparkling wines.

Prosecco vs sparkling wine vs champagne

"Sparkling wine" is the umbrella term for any wine with bubbles. Prosecco and champagne are both sparkling wines, but they are made in different places, from different grapes, using different methods.

	Prosecco	Champagne	Other sparkling wine
Where from	North-eastern Italy	Champagne, France	Worldwide, including Australia
Main grapes	Glera	Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier	Varies
How the bubbles are made	Tank method (usually)	Second fermentation in the bottle	Either method
Typical style	Fresh, fruity, floral	Toasty, complex, brioche notes	Varies widely

If you have ever wondered what people mean by "fizzy wine", it is simply a casual name for the same family. The real difference is in the style and the way it is made, not whether it is "proper" or not.

What does "organic" mean for prosecco?

Organic prosecco starts in the vineyard. Organic growers farm without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilisers. Instead they rely on methods such as cover crops, natural composts and careful canopy management to keep vines healthy.

Certification matters here. In Italy, organic wine must meet European organic standards and carry the EU organic logo. In Australia, organic producers are certified by independent bodies such as Australian Certified Organic. Look for the certification mark on the label or the producer's website rather than relying on the word "natural" alone, which has no formal definition.

Organic farming is about what happens to the grapes and the land. It does not change the basic style of prosecco, so you can expect the same crisp, fruity character, often from growers who care a great deal about the soil their vines grow in.

How to read a prosecco label

The label tells you a lot once you know the code.

Sweetness level

• Brut: the driest style, with very little residual sugar (up to 12 grams per litre). Crisp and refreshing.
• Extra Dry: despite the name, slightly sweeter than Brut (12 to 17 grams per litre). Fruitier and the most common style.
• Dry: noticeably sweeter again (17 to 32 grams per litre), good with desserts.

Level of fizz

• Spumante: fully sparkling, with lively bubbles.
• Frizzante: gently sparkling, with a softer, lighter fizz.

Rosé prosecco

Prosecco Rosé DOC is a pink style made with Glera plus 10 to 15% Pinot Noir. It adds red berry notes while keeping the fresh prosecco style.

Organic prosecco and sulphites

Sulphites are a common concern, so here is what is worth knowing.

Sulphites occur naturally during fermentation, which means no wine is truly sulphite-free. Winemakers also add small amounts as a preservative. Organic wine generally allows lower limits for added sulphites than conventional wine, but organic does not automatically mean "no sulphites". In Australia, added sulphites must be declared on the label when they are present at 10 milligrams per litre or more.

If you are looking for wines made with minimal or no added preservatives, read our guide to preservative-free wines in Australia or browse the preservative-free wine collection.

How to serve prosecco

• Chill it well. Aim for about 6 to 8°C. A couple of hours in the fridge, or 20 to 30 minutes in an ice bucket, will do it.
• Use a tulip or white wine glass. Wide flutes lose aroma quickly, while a slightly wider glass lets the fruit come through.
• Drink it young. Prosecco is made to be enjoyed fresh, usually within a year or two of release.
• Open with care. Hold the cork, turn the bottle slowly and let the gas escape with a soft sigh rather than a bang.

What to pair with prosecco

Prosecco's acidity and light fruit make it one of the most food-friendly sparkling wines.

• Salty snacks and canapés: olives, nuts, prosciutto and crisp chips.
• Seafood: oysters, prawns and light fish dishes.
• Soft cheeses: brie, fresh ricotta and burrata.
• Spicy food: a slightly sweeter Extra Dry can calm the heat.
• Summer drinks: use it as the base of a spritz, with a splash of orange liqueur and soda.

For a spritz with an organic twist, try combining your prosecco with an organic orange liqueur and plenty of ice.

Where to start

If you are new to organic sparkling wine, a Brut or Extra Dry prosecco is an easy place to begin. Explore our range of organic prosecco and sparkling wine

Frequently asked questions

Is prosecco the same as champagne?

No. Prosecco comes from north-eastern Italy, is made mainly from Glera grapes and is usually fermented in tanks. Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France and gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle.

Is organic prosecco healthier than regular prosecco?

Organic prosecco is made from grapes grown without synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilisers. It is still an alcoholic drink, so it is best enjoyed in moderation.

Does organic prosecco contain sulphites?

Usually yes, in small amounts. Sulphites form naturally during fermentation and are often added in small quantities as a preservative. Organic wines generally have lower limits for added sulphites.

What does Brut mean on a prosecco label?

Brut is the driest style of prosecco, with the least residual sugar. Extra Dry is slightly sweeter and Dry is sweeter again.

What is the difference between spumante and frizzante?

Spumante is fully sparkling, while frizzante is gently sparkling with softer bubbles.

How long does prosecco last once opened?

With a proper sparkling wine stopper and refrigeration, an opened bottle will stay reasonably fresh for a day or two, although the bubbles gradually fade.