Images Courtesy of Vivino
You might have your perfect Valentine’s Day gift and the menu all planned out (did someone say Scallops with Roasted Fennel?), but what really matters on the most romantic day of the year is what you’re pouring. And what’s the wow-worthy bottle you’ll really look forward to? Prosecco. It’s elegant, pairs beautifully with Valentine’s Day favorites and can match many different taste preferences and price points.
Whether you plan to have yourself a solo glass, pair it with a romantic dinner for two or create a cocktail for a girl’s night in (like this Venice-style Prosecco Spritz or a classic Mimosa) there’s a perfect bottle of bubbly to make the most of your Valentine’s Day.
What Is Prosecco?
Any wine labeled with the DOC Prosecco is a sparkling wine that comes from the Veneto region in the northeast of Italy. It is made from a base wine made with a grape variety called Glera. This base wine is usually fermented in a tank (called the Charmat method) to create a sparkling wine that can be brut, dry or off-dry. A bottle typically has apple, lemon, stone fruit and melon flavors. For more information, check out our guide to everything to know about Prosecco.
The Best Prosecco Bottles for Valentine’s Day
Our Wine Enthusiast Tasting Department breaks down some of our current favorites to pop this Valentine’s Day that match whatever kind of evening you have ahead of you.
Best Dry Prosecco: BiancaVigna 2021 Sui Lieviti Brut Nature (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
This crisp sparkler has delicate aromas of white stone fruit, wild herbs and wet rock. Bone-dry and crisp, the linear palate features ripe pear, white peach and lemon zest alongside bright acidity and a refined perlage. —Kerin O’Keefe
Best Prosecco to Pair with Steak: Bisol 2021 Jeio Brut Rosé (Prosecco)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
Wild strawberries, tart currants and tangerine aromas lead the way on this pretty-in-pink sparkling rosé. The palate is bright and fresh, with the strawberry and citrus notes shining though beside a touch of minerality. —Jeff Porter
Best Splurge-Worthy Prosecco: Santa Margherita 2021 Rive di Refrontolo Extra Brut (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
92 Points Wine Enthusiast
Smooth and dry, this lovely sparkler has delicate aromas of white spring flowers while the polished palate offers ripe pear, white peach and a hint of lemon cream. Fresh acidity and creamy perlage provide the backdrop. —K.O.
Best Sweet Prosecco: Ruggeri & C. NV Giall’oro Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
This wine is a joyous wine. The nose is full of Meyer Lemon, green-apple and citrus-blossom aromas. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with a slightly creamy texture giving way to subtle chalky notes and a very pleasing finish. —J.P.
Best Crowd-Pleasing Prosecco: Dacastello 2021 Extra Dry Millesimato (Prosecco)
85 Points Wine Enthusiast
This wine has vibrant aromas of perfectly ripe McIntosh apples, ginger, freshly cut flowers and gravel. Bright on the palate with zippy acidity and a slightly sweet finish. —J.P.
Best Prosecco to Pair with Seafood: Rebuli NV Prosecco di Valdobbiadene (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This wine shines from the moment the bottle is popped. Classic fresh apples and pear notes mingle with perfectly ripe white peach and orange blossoms. The palate pops with bright acidity and a kiss of minerality balancing out the wine for a zippy finish. Yum! —J.P.
Best Budget Prosecco: It’s a Headsnapper NV Sparkling Wine (Prosecco)
89 Points Wine Enthusiast
This is fresh and bright on the nose, with lemon zest, green apple and peach the most prevalent aromas. The palate continues with loads of apple and citrus flavors. The wine finishes with refreshing acidity and pleasant finish. Best Buy —J.P.
Best Prosecco to Drink Straight: Vino dei Fratelli NV Prosecco
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This fresh and fruity Prosecco has aromas of lemon peel, lemongrass, ginger and green apple. The palate is bright and refreshing, with more citrus notes of lime and mandarin, and ending with a clean and crisp finish. —J.P.
Rosé
Best Rosé Prosecco: Zardetto 2020 Rosé Extra Dry Prosecco
91 Points Wine Enthusiast
This wine states its purpose with its vivacious and lively aromas of nectarine, strawberry and lily of the valley. The palate follows suit, with zippy acidity, fresh peach and apricot notes and a subtle note of minerality. There is a slight note of sweetness on the finish but it is well balanced by the acidity and freshness of the wine. —J.P.
Best Prosecco for a Cocktail: Ruggeri & C. 2021 Argeo Rosé (Prosecco Treviso)
90 Points Wine Enthusiast
This light-pink sparkling rose has aromas of strawberry, tart cherries, apricots and green apples. The palate is fresh, with bright acidity and vibrant tart fruits on the finish. It’s a fun wine. —J.P.
FAQs
How Do You Choose a Good Prosecco?
Just like any other bottle of wine, choosing a “good” bottle of Prosecco is based on your taste preferences, price point and purpose of buying. “Buy your Prosecco according to how you enjoy your still wines,” explains Wine Enthusiast Tasting Director Anna-Christina Cabrales. “If you enjoy a drier style, look for ‘brut’ on the label. For a sweeter option, pick up bottles that have ‘dry’ or ‘demi-sec.’”
How Much Does a Decent Bottle of Prosecco Cost?
Prices vary, but Cabrales says you can get a pretty decent bottle for around $15.
Is Prosecco Best Served Chilled?
Sparkling wines are most often served chilled, between 41 and 45°F. Then, pour it into a wine flute or white wine glass to help preserve the bubbles, Cabrales says.
How Is Prosecco Different from Other Sparkling Wines?
Prosecco is made in a specific DOC region and is often fermented in a tank (which is different from other sparkling wine methods). It comes from a base wine made from Glera grapes. Other varieties of sparkling wines like Moscato, Champagne or Cava come from different regions, use different base wines and may have different techniques for fermenting. If you’re looking for other options to try, we recommend these Italian sparkling wines.
What Is the Best Prosecco for a Mimosa or Aperol Spritz?
You’ll want to look for an option with some residual sugar, suggests Cabrales. She recommends picking up a bottle of extra-dry or dry Prosecco for a perfect pairing.
Why You Should Trust Us
All products featured here are independently selected by our team, which is comprised of experienced writers and wine tasters and overseen by editorial professionals at Wine Enthusiast headquarters. All ratings and reviews are performed blind in a controlled setting and reflect the parameters of our 100-point scale. Wine Enthusiast does not accept payment to conduct any product review, though we may earn a commission on purchases made through links on this site. Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
