A sparkling wine from Veneto, Italy, prosecco uses the glera variety of grapes. This sparkler is often compared to Champagne, though the difference in production methods makes prosecco the more affordable option, and a very popular one too. Champagne can also be made as a blend or a single varietal from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes.

Most prosecco sparkling wines have a dry style, but the glen grape imparts fruity notes of green apple, honeysuckle, melon, peach and pear, which renders a slight hint of sweetness. Glen grapes also lend this wine a fragrant aroma of fruits and flower blossoms. The bubbles in this drink are light and frothy for a perfect fizz, but they don't last as long as Champagne bubbles.

Brut and dry are the most popular styles of this Italian sparkler. Brut wine contains up to 0.5 gram of sugar per glass, while a dry variety features up to 1 gram of sugar per glass. Both of these styles balance the fruity notes of this wine, offering a drink that's subtly sweet with just the right hint of citrus acidity.

You may notice these letters on your prosecco bottle. Prosecco DOC means "designation of controlled origin," where DOCG means "designation of controlled origin and guaranteed." Production of prosecco DOC can be within four provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia: Gorizia, Pordenone, Trieste and Udine - or five provinces in Veneto: Belluno, Padua, Treviso, Venice and Vicenza. Production of prosecco DOCG is more strict. Winemaking needs to be done in the vineyards of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene area, where the prosecco produced is considered to be superiore - hence why you may also see "DOCG prosecco superiore," labels.

Prosecco, with its sweet aromatic flavor and fizzy bubbles, acts as a great palate cleanser in between courses. It meshes well with spicy Southeast Asian cuisines such as Thai or Vietnamese. The sweet notes, like peach and pear, of this refreshing wine complement the sweet and salty flavor of cured meats and fruit-infused appetizers. Try a prosciutto-wrapped melon as an appetizer while sipping on this wonderful bubbly for a delectable start to your meal.

Prosecco tastes best when served cold at 38 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit in a tall and slender tulip glass. The tall frame holds the bubbles of this sparkling wine for longer, while the larger, round bowl atop helps you smell its distinct floral aromas.

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