Prosecco is one of the easiest wines to pair with food and is great for so many reasons. Firstly, Prosecco has all the elements to pair with a huge variety of foods and secondly, it’s so darn inexpensive! In this Prosecco food pairing guide you’ll find out what foods pair with Prosecco from appetizers to desserts, which type of Prosecco to choose, and I’ll explain the science behind Prosecco food pairings.
What is Prosecco?
First things first, what is Prosecco? Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine that originates in Veneto in Northern Italy. Millions of bottles of Prosecco are made yearly so there’s a good chance you’ve already had it. Although producers worldwide claim to make such wine, the authentic Prosecco can officially only come from Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions.
How is Prosecco different from other sparkling wines?
First, Prosecco is much less expensive than other sparkling wines, including Champagne. The reason behind the lower cost? In short, Prosecco requires much less labor to produce in the first place, thanks to the Charmat method.
In its essence, using that method means that the second fermentation takes place in a vat instead of a bottle. And remember, we are talking about the critical step that makes wine sparkle. If you want to get nerdy about sparkling wine production, I’ve written all about it here.
Finally, when it comes to taste, you will notice that Prosecco has a bright and fruity flavor. Compare that with Champagne and other sparkling wines that tend to be drier and more toasty. These differences will make Prosecco food pairing slightly different than pairing with Champagne.
What grapes are in Prosecco?
85% of Prosecco consists of Glera, a white variety with medium to high acidity. That proportion is a condition for producers to name their wine Prosecco. The remaining 15% can combine other Italian grapes, such as Perera or Bianchetta Trevigiana.
Although international varieties can, in theory, be part of the 15%, all grapes have to grow in Northern Italy for the wine to officially bear the name Prosecco. According to the European law of wine, at least. In 2020, the law changed and Prosecco producers were permitted to make Prosecco rosé with the addition of Pinot Nero aka Pinot Noir.
Is Prosecco sweet?
The sweetness level of Prosecco is a huge contributing factor to what food to pair with it. Prosecco’s sweetness depends directly on the level of residual sugars in the liquid. I hope this chart helps you understand the labeling of Prosecco and how sweet or dry it’ll be. Super confusing of course because dry Prosecco still has quite a bit of sweetness.
In more detail, anything below 12 grams per liter will make the wine feel brut and very dry. Compare that with the sweet, demi-sec Prosecco that has above 32 grams. Does that sound like too much sugar? Well, it is for some. A fair amount of the Prosecco you’ll come across will be in the Extra Dry category which will have noticeable sweetness but not be cloying.
Quality levels of Prosecco
You can find three primary quality levels for Prosecco wine. The most common is DOC, a standard quality coming from nine provinces in and around Veneto. This will be the most popular and least expensive.
Next, there is DOCG Superiore which, as you can infer from the name, is a more premium quality made in a small area opposite the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene region. Still pretty inexpensive compared to other sparkling wines.
Finally, Valdobbiadene grapes again come from a focused area of 43 communities between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano hills. It is the highest quality Prosecco you can find and honestly, still a bargain.
Characteristics of Prosecco to Consider when Pairing with Food
When it comes to Prosecco food pairing, there are specific characteristics you must know to make the perfect match. Its relatively high acidity and general sweetness mean that Prosecco pairs best with sweet, acidic, and fatty flavors.
What is more, it makes an excellent palate cleanser thanks to its bubbles. Prosecco is light and has aromas of pear and other tree fruits. Hence, it makes sense to accompany it with light to medium-intensity foods such as chicken or shrimp, pizza, light appetizers, and even desserts.
Wanna dive deeper and get to know what foods pair with Prosecco? Or you are after ideas for your next dinner. Either way, you will love this condensed Prosecco food pairing guide. To further understand wine and food pairing, check out my ebook.
What foods pair with Prosecco
You will be happy to hear that Prosecco is a surprisingly versatile sparkling wine that pairs well with various dishes, especially light and greasy foods. Yet, as always, there are specific cuisine genres and plates that, if combined with Prosecco, can elevate your dining experience. Ready to jump right into it?
Fish with Prosecco
First, any type of fish makes an excellent match with Prosecco. Its acidity and sweet notes perfectly match the fatty and salty seafood flavors. Pair it with anything from cod, sea bass, and fish and chips. I’ve often said Prosecco is the absolute best wine with sushi. You will love the way wine and food will complement each other.
Poultry Paired with Prosecco
Whether you go for a lean chicken breast or greasy fried chicken, Prosecco is a great match with poultry dishes. The wine’s acidity cut through the oiliness on your palate, while the fruity notes of Prosecco pair great with saltier poultry. Sounds interesting? Next time you bake chicken, prepare a Turkey sandwich, or order chicken nuggets, don’t forget to get a glass of Prosecco too.
Spicy Food with Prosecco
The sweetness of a dry Prosecco and refreshing bubbles are a great match with spicy food, especially Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Think of it this way, the residual sugar in a dry Prosecco will cover up your taste buds so that the spiciness can’t take over your entire tongue. It’s a perfect complement. Just make sure you pick a dry or extra dry Prosecco and let its slight sweetness cool down and elevate your spicy meal.
Prosecco with Breakfast
Yes, mimosas (made from Prosecco) are a brunch standard. However, Prosecco on it’s own pairs with so many breakfast foods from bacon and eggs to pancakes to bagels and lox to avocado toast. You can skip the OJ and enjoy breakfast with Prosecco with both sweet and savory breakfast and brunch dishes. But if you’re stuck on mimosas, here’s a list of tons of mimosa variations.
Appetizers to serve with Prosecco
Apart from pairing well with main dishes, Prosecco also makes an excellent aperitif. It’s a great welcome wine that can carry your dinner guests into the first course of cold appetizers and salads. If you are looking for an appetizer or antipasti to serve with Prosecco, make sure to try cured meats accompanied with olives, breadsticks, and mushrooms. That combination is a win!
Prosecco Food Pairing: Salads
Salads are often dismissed when it comes to food pairing in favor or steaks, pasta, and main courses, but this is precisely where Prosecco can shine. Prosecco is low in alcohol and can easily be a fun way to make your salad a little more exciting. Match Prosecco with a spinach, strawberry, and goat cheese salad, Caesar salad, caprese, or even a Chef’s salad. As noted above, a grilled chicken salad works great, too.
Tacos with Prosecco
If you love Mexican food (who doesn’t) try pairing tacos with Prosecco. Generally we gravitate towards beer with tacos, well beer has bubbles and washes down the tacos. Well, hello! so does Prosecco. Its sweetness and bubbles work exceptionally well with the intense saltiness and spiciness of tacos and its filling, no matter what the latter is.
Vietnamese Spring Rolls
Another excellent food to pair with Prosecco is no other than Vietnamese spring rolls. These lettuce-wrapped rice noodles make for a spicy and fresh dish that matches great with Prosecco. We always want to balance our food and wine pairings- light food, light wine. That’s why this pairing works perfectly.
What cheeses go with Prosecco?
Any mild cheese goes well with Prosecco. But, if I have to pick one type, that would be no other than the creamy mozzarella cheese. You can also pair Prosecco with goat cheese, ricotta, or burrata if you want more variety.
What fruit goes with Prosecco?
Thanks to its many aromatic flavors and slight sweetness, Prosecco can go well with fruits such as strawberries, berries, and fruit tarts. A mix of fruit is a great accompaniment to Prosecco, especially in the sunshine on the back porch… Opt for a Prosecco labeled Dry which will have enough sweetness to match the sweetness of the fruit.
What dessert goes with Prosecco?
As long as you choose the sweeter wine styles (dry to doux), Prosecco can also pair great with sweets, especially rich and creamy desserts. For example, cheesecake or a fresh lemon tart makes an excellent fit with Prosecco.
List of Foods that Pair with Prosecco
A list of foods that pair with Prosecco. Keep this Prosecco food pairing guide handy. Feel free to print it.
- Sushi
- Smoked salmon
- Chicken salad
- Chicken Tacos
- Fish Tacos
- Fish and chips
- Shrimp scampi
- Linguini and clams
- Indian food
- Antipasti
- Charcuterie (Check out this guide to making the perfect charcuterie board)
- Caprese skewers
- Prosciutto and melon
- Nuts and olives
- Pizza (margherita, white pizza)
- Ceviche
- Turkey sandwiches
- Fried chicken
- French fries
- Jalapeno poppers
- Bagels and lox
- Eggs benedict
- Avocado toast
- Spring rolls
- Pad Thai
- Chocolate cake
- Strawberries and angel food cake
- Fruit tarts
- Fruit salad
- Mozzarella, goat cheese, burrata, brie, camembert
A Few of My Favorite Proseccos You Can Purchase Online
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Serving and Storage of Prosecco
Prosecco should be served cold- straight from the refrigerator. It is not imperative to serve Prosecco in a flute glass, a universal wine glass with do as well. I’ve written extensively about serving and storage of Prosecco here.
So here you are! All you need to know about Prosecco food pairing. Did you ever taste any of the recommendations here? Or maybe you tried something different. Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment below!