You can’t say that prosecco isn’t popular. Some 667 million bottles of the sparkling (or in some cases semi-sparkling) wine from Italy were sold globally in 2025 at a cost of more than £3bn. And while the largest export market is the US, the UK remains the second most important with 36 per cent of the global consumption.
You can see why so many people like it. It’s light, fruity, refreshing, has slightly less alcohol than champagne and, above all, is relatively inexpensive. Some will also say that prosecco is actually good for you. The natural trace elements it contains – zinc, magnesium and potassium – can boost your mood, while polyphenols, the plant chemicals from red and white grapes found in prosecco, increase the availability of nitric oxide which controls blood pressure.
Others may complain that it’s too sweet. This may be because the labelling of the wine can be confusing. If it is called “extra dry” that means there will be some sweetness there. If you want a prosecco that is less sweet and drier, then look for those labelled “brut”. There are also two sets of initials to note. DOCG or Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita signifies superior quality, the following strict rules during production and government approval. DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is the next level and guarantees that the wine comes from a specific geographical area. Both classifications should guarantee excellent quality.
So, with a huge range of prosecco available from supermarket shelves to specialist wine stores, there are bottles to suit every taste. Here we look at the best examples of this party favourite.
Read more: Best champagnes, taste tested
The best proseccos for 2026 are:
Read more: Best white wines for sipping this summer and beyond
