Prosecco is a term applied to a specific type of wine as well as the grape that is used to make it. The Prosecco grape is primarily grown in a region of Italy known as Veneto. It is also grown in the Valdobbiadene and Conegliano wine regions, both north of Venice. Prosecco grapes ripen later than most other grapes.

Prosecco wine is a crisp sparkling white wine with a slightly bitter aftertaste. In fact, Prosecco grapes are used to make two types of sparkling wine. They can be used to make spumante, a dry sparkling wine,or frizzante wines, which are semi-sparkling.

There are two specific cocktails that call for Prosecco wine. Bellinis are made by mixing peach juice with the sparkling wine. Prosecco, vodka, and cranberry juice are the ingredients of the Poinsettia cocktail. Both of these are lovely and refreshing cocktails; with Bellinis lovely during warm weather months and Poinsettas being delicious and perfect for holiday parties.

In many parts of Europe, the government controls the names of specific wines, sparkling wines, and other beverages. For example, it is only possible to manufacture true Champagne from the grapes that are grown in the Champagne region of France. The same is true for Prosecco. Under European law, the name “Prosecco” can only be applied to wine that is made from Prosecco grapes grown in the Valdobbiadene/Conegliano region of Italy. Prosecco and Dalmatian Prosek are not the same beverage, but very different ones. Dalmatian Prosecco is made from dried grapes, not fresh ones. Furthermore, it is an especially sweet wine akin to sherry.

For more information on this special kind of wine, you can visit the website of the Consortia Tutela del Vino Prosecco, or Prosecco Consortium. If you are interested in sampling Prosecco, find a good wine bar in your area. Some bars and restaurants with long wine lists offer flights of wine, which are three small glasses of different wines that are either in the same family or are meant to compliment each other. The best way to sample Prosecco is, if possible, to order a flight of the wine. Alternatively, visit your local spirits store and ask the proprietor about his or her selection of Prosecco and similar Italian wines.