Prosecco is a sparkling white wine that originates from northeast Italy. It is made from Glera grapes grown in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions, with Prosecco from the small town of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene being the most prized. Prosecco is known for being fresh, fruity, and aromatic with medium bubbles. It typically has flavors of green apple, pear, citrus, white peach, and honeysuckle. While Prosecco can certainly be enjoyed on its own, it is also extremely versatile when paired with food. The light, refreshing nature of Prosecco makes it a fantastic aperitif as well as an accompaniment to a variety of dishes before or during a meal. This article will explore what foods pair well with Prosecco and how to get the most enjoyment out of this popular Italian sparkler.
Light Bites
Prosecco’s vibrant acidity and delicate nature make it an excellent pairing for many light, fresh foods that won’t overwhelm the palate. Some classic pairings include:
- Fresh seafood – Prosecco is a traditional pairing with fish and shellfish. The briny seafood underscores Prosecco’s citrus and green apple notes. Oysters, clams, crab, and shrimp cocktails are all perfect matches.
- Charcuterie – Slices of Prosciutto, salami, chorizo, Serrano ham, etc pair beautifully with Prosecco’s palate-cleansing bubbles. The saltiness of the charcuterie highlights the wine’s acidity.
- Vegetable dishes – From crispy tempura vegetables to roasted asparagus to light salads, Prosecco’s zesty profile loves the crunch and freshness of veggies.
- Sushi – The harmonious combination of fruit, acid, and umami flavors in Prosecco complements flavors like soy, ginger, and wasabi.
- Hard cheeses – The likes of Parmesan, Manchego, and Pecorino offer the perfect balance of rich, concentrated flavors alongside Prosecco’s acidity and fruit.
- Bruschettas and crostini – The crunch of the toasted bread paired withsimple fresh toppings like tomatoes, basil, olive tapenade, or artichokes make an easy snack with Prosecco.
The key is to keep Prosecco pairings light, fresh, and not too complicated to allow the wine’s charming fruit character to shine.
Main Courses
While best with lighter fare, Prosecco can still work nicely with heartier main dishes. Bubbly, acidic Prosecco refreshes the palate and cuts through richness. Ideal pairings include:
- Pasta dishes – Prosecco is an age-old partner to all sorts of pasta. It has affinity with vegetarian pasta, pasta in light cream sauces, or seafood pastas. Acidity cuts through heft.
- Pizza – The ultimate Italian pairing! Prosecco’s bubbles and acid handle pizza’s melted cheeses, tomato sauce, and other toppings with ease.
- Pan-seared white fish – The citrus notes in Prosecco highlight similar flavors in fish like snapper, cod, and halibut.
- Asian cuisine – Dishes with soy, ginger, sesame, rice vinegar, and light spice complement Prosecco’s zesty profile.
- Fried foods – Bubbles and acidity balance out fried items like spring rolls, chicken sandwiches, calamari, etc.
- Herb-roasted chicken – Prosecco’s fruitiness partners well with light chicken and pork entrees accented by herbs.
- Cured meats – Whether it’s a charcuterie board or entree like a carpaccio, Prosecco has natural synergy with salty, intensely-flavored meats.
The key with heartier mains is sticking to lighter sauces and preparations that won’t overwhelm delicate Prosecco.
Desserts
While sweeter sparkling wines are often paired with dessert, Prosecco’s acidity and fruitiness can complement lighter sweets beautifully:
- Fresh fruit – Prosecco’s fruit profile pairs deliciously with fresh fruit desserts like macedonia di frutta or fruit tarts.
- Citrus desserts – Lemon sorbet, panna cotta, orange cake and other citrus-accented desserts bring out the citrus notes in Prosecco.
- Meringues or macaroons – The crunchy texture and sweet but not overpowering flavor are delightful with vibrant Prosecco.
- Almond cookies or biscotti – Almond flavors specifically complement Prosecco’s green apple and pear notes.
- Sponge cake – Light cakes like pan di Spagna soak up Prosecco’s acidity and add a delicate sweetness.
- Crème brûlée – The crunchy sugar topping contrasts the creamy custard in a dessert tailor-made for Prosecco.
Sweeter, dense desserts like chocolate cake, cheesecake, or tiramisu tend to overpower Prosecco. Stick to lighter desserts to let the Prosecco shine.
Cheese Pairings
Prosecco’s acidity cuts through rich cheeses beautifully. Some highly recommended Prosecco pairings include:
| Cheese | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Fresh Mozzarella | Mild, milky |
| Burrata | Soft, buttery |
| Chèvre | Tangy, goaty |
| Manchego | Nutty, firm |
| Asiago | Sharp, crumbly |
| Parmesan | Salty, nutty |
Fresh soft cheeses like mozzarella highlight Prosecco’s fresh fruit flavors. Aged hard cheeses offer a delicious contrast of textures and intense flavors that complement the vibrancy of Prosecco.
Cocktails
Prosecco’s bubbles, acidity, and smooth mouthfeel make it an ideal sparkling wine for cocktails. Here are some classic Prosecco cocktails to try:
- Mimosa – Orange juice is probably the most famous Prosecco cocktail. The sweet citrus balances beautifully with the Prosecco’s acidity.
- Bellini – Fresh peach puree is the star here, playing off Prosecco’s stone and tree fruit notes.
- Rossini – Pairing Prosecco with strawberry puree makes for a flavor match made in heaven.
- Aperol Spritz – An Italian classic with Aperol’s herbaceous bitterness tamed by Prosecco’s soft effervescence.
- Hugo – Elderflower liqueur, mint, and lime highlight the floral, fruit side of Prosecco.
- Kir Royale – Creme de cassis (blackcurrant liqueur) adds rich berry fruitiness to Prosecco’s lighter profile.
Prosecco cocktails emphasize fruit flavors that align naturally with the wine’s fruit-forward nature. Mix up one of these crowd-pleasing sparkling cocktails at your next occasion.
Food Pairing Guidelines
While Prosecco is highly versatile with food, keep these guidelines in mind for the best pairings:
- Keep it light – Rich, heavy dishes will overwhelm Prosecco’s delicate nature. Focus on lighter seafood, veggies, pasta, pizza, etc.
- Highlight fresh flavors – Prosecco loves fresh vegetables, herbs, citrus and fruit flavors that complement its bright, lively profile.
- Play on textures – Crunchy, crispy foods like tempura, bruschetta, and meringues make textural and flavor contrasts.
- Bridge sweet and savory – Prosecco balances delicately sweet and salty flavors like cured meats with fruit tarts.
- Think simple – Basic, pure flavors allow Prosecco’s charm to be the star. Don’t overcomplicate.
- Focus on fruit – Fruit flavors, from stone fruits to citrus fruits, align seamlessly with Prosecco.
Follow these guidelines, and you’re sure to find mouthwatering pairings that allow Prosecco’s fruit, acidity, and charm to shine.
Serving Tips
Take your Prosecco enjoyment to the next level with proper serving:
- Chill thoroughly – Before serving, get Prosecco icy cold, around 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). This prevents the bubbles from forming too quickly.
- Use appropriate stemware – Tall, narrow flute glasses help preserve bubbles and bouquet. Tulip-shaped glasses also work well.
- Pour carefully – Pour down the side of the glass gently. Vigorous pouring fizzes up the bubbles. Let the glass sit before topping off.
- Enjoy young – Prosecco is meant to be drunk within 1-2 years of production while flavors are bright and lively.
- Pair with garnishes – Garnishes like lime wedges, grapefruit slices, pomegranate seeds, thyme sprigs, etc accent flavors.
- Buy quality – Seek out Prosecco DOC for the best quality, especially DOCG from premium regions like Valdobbiadene.
With the right serving practices, you can highlight the charming fruit, floral, mineral notes that make Prosecco so delightful.
Conclusion
Prosecco’s refreshing bubbles, vibrant acidity, and fruity aromas make it one of the most versatile sparkling wines for food and cocktail pairings. While excellent on its own, Prosecco truly shines alongside fresh seafood, light pastas, veggie dishes, citrus desserts, and in cocktails from Bellinis to Aperol Spritzes. With a wide spectrum of flavors from green apple and lemon to honeysuckle and white peach, Prosecco pairs beautifully with simple dishes that let its delicate complexity shine. Serve Prosecco chilled in proper stemware for maximum enjoyment of its lively, charming flavors. With the right pairings that complement its fruit and acidity, Prosecco can transform any occasion into a celebration filled with Italian joy and flair.