Prosecco is a protected geographical name, not a grape variety or a single village.

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Once known as the grape variety Glera, Prosecco has been transformed by Italian law into a strictly defined geographical designation. While the world associates the name with sparkling wine, the history of this drink stretches back to ancient times, evolving from a local medicinal tonic into a global phenomenon.

The name Prosecco originates from a village near Trieste, yet the wine itself was not historically produced there. By the 16th century, local wines were being rebranded to evoke the prestige of ancient Roman vintages, specifically the Pucinum praised by Pliny the Elder. It was not until 2009 that Italian authorities officially renamed the Prosecco grape to Glera, reserving the name Prosecco exclusively for wines produced within specific protected regions in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Unlike the traditional bottle-fermentation method used for Champagne, most Prosecco is crafted via the Charmat-Martinotti method. This process involves secondary fermentation in large stainless steel tanks, which is faster and more cost-effective. While standard production takes at least 30 days, premium versions can undergo a longer maturation of up to nine months. The resulting wine is typically aromatic, featuring notes of yellow apple, pear, and peach, and is generally intended to be consumed young.

The prestige of the region is anchored by the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene Prosecco Hills, which earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2019. Within this area, the steep terrain necessitates that harvesting and pruning be performed primarily by hand. At the pinnacle of the quality hierarchy lies the Cartizze vineyard, a 107-hectare site where land values have reached as high as 2 million euros per hectare. Despite its fame, the wine remains a subject of debate, with some experts challenging the traditional belief that Prosecco cannot be aged beyond a few years.

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