Affordable Proseccos
Nothing screams romance like chocolate covered strawberries and a chilled bottle of bubbling wine. While some people prefer to sip on some Dom or maybe even Vue, I prefer the finer things in life… like being able to pay rent.
My wallet may not be able to spend big, but I still have extremely high expectations for the wines I choose to sip. This is why I present to you my favorite proseccos for under $20.
In this article, we will cover:
- The difference between prosecco and champagne
- How to identify “legit” prosecco
- How to sip in style
- And… FINALLY… the best proseccos under $20
Prosecco vs Champagne
Champagne? Prosecco? Bubbly wine? Isn’t it all the same… or is there a real difference?
Though experts could go into detail, the two key differences between the two are 1) the location and 2) the grape.
Location – while Champagne is made in the Champagne region of France, prosecco is produced in the Veneto region of Italy.
Grapes – Both champagne and prosecco are sparkling white wines. Champagne is produced from pinot noir, chardonnay, and pinot meunier grapes, while prosecco is made mostly from glera grapes.
One other fun fact about the two, because why not – it is grammatically correct to capitalize Champagne, but not prosecco. Why? Because Champagne is named after a region, and therefore is recognized with a formal title.
How to Find "Legit" Prosecco
There has been some back and forth about who is allowed to coin their sparkly beverage “prosecco”. I’ll leave this link here in case you want to go into more detail on this. The TDLR: anything labeled with the official “DOC” sticker (stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata) is from the original creators of prosecco and is considered “real”. Any bottle missing this blue sign of authenticity is not made in the original area of creation.
How to Correctly Sip Prosecco
Just because your prosecco is affordable doesn’t mean you can’t make it look fancy!
Some of my favorite glasses to sip prosecco out of:
Some of my favorite prosecco chilling accessories:
Favorite Proseccos under $20
Zinon Prosecco
I adore this prosecco with all of my heart. It’s taste is fresh and crisp, and the fragrance reminds me of a cool summer’s day (as if those exist here in Texas)! When sipping, I pick up hints of lime. The aftertaste, though, has a strong green apple taste.
Some more details:
- Classification: brut
- Alcohol percent: 11%
- Typical price range: $12-15 (all of these prices will be based on what I’ve seen in Dallas, Texas)
- Where I found my bottles: Trader Joes
According to wine.com, caprese salad, crab cakes, or pan-seared salmon with lemon and basil are three meals that would pair amazingly with this sparkling delight. I personally prefer it as a pre dinner beverage 🙂
Treviso Prosecco
This fabulous choice comes from Treviso, Italy (hints the name) – home of some of the greatest proseccos in the world. It also happens to be the most affordable of the three bottles I have listed here as long as you shop right. It is light and lovely. I love that the body has hints of pear and isn’t super heavy. This would be my recommended sip for someone who has never really explored sparkling wine.
Some more details:
- Classification: extra dry
- Alcohol percent: 11%
- Typical price range: $7-11
- Where I’ve found my bottles: Trader Joes
Ah La Marca, the famous baby blue label. This prosecco has been my go to for years. It is one of my favorites to bring to a pregame or a birthday. If I’m going to an engagement party, this is one of the first items I slip into the gift bag for the happy couple. It is a refreshing sip that I personally can drink like water! Of the three, this option is the smoothest and least fruity.
Some more details:
- Classification: extra dry
- Alcohol percent: 11%
- Typical price range: $12-15
- Where I’ve found my bottles: Target, Total Wine and More, Specs
Shopping to surprise or celebrate someone else? Check out my wine / champagne lovers gift guide by clicking here!