Written by: Tim Edison

Updated: April 22, 2023

Ultimate Prosecco Food Pairing Guide [20 Great Pairings!]

Prosecco food pairing guide

Few wines are as approachable and food-friendly as Prosecco. This effervescent and refreshing wine has all the makings for an easy drinking and ideal food pairing wine. 

Prosecco’s low alcohol and zippy acidity revives the palate while accentuating the complex flavors in all sorts of dishes.

It’s no wonder why Prosecco is one of the most popular sparkling wines of the world. 

This guide covers everything you need to know about making the perfect Prosecco food pairing.

We explain tasting notes, regional differences, pairing tips, and provide loads of amazing food recommendations!

Table of Contents
1
What Does Prosecco Taste Like?
2
How to Pair Prosecco
3
The Best Prosecco Food Pairings

What Does Prosecco Taste Like?

Before discussing which foods pair best with Prosecco, it’s first helpful to review what Prosecco tastes like and what makes it a preferred sparkling wine to pair over others.

Prosecco is a light-bodied sparkling white wine made from the glera grape, previously known as the prosecco grape. Usually made dry or extra dry, some brut wines with subtle residual sugar are typical. 

Prosecco’s natural high acidity and low alcohol content make it a refreshing wine that’s ideal for celebrating, or starting the evening on a high note. It’s affordability compared to Champagne or Cava is another reason why so many people flock to this sparkling wine.

Unlike Champagne or Cava, Prosecco is made using the Charmat or “tank method,” where secondary fermentation occurs in airtight sealed tanks instead of in bottles. This creates noticeable, quickly dissipating bubbles that give Prosecco its signature effervescence. 

Prosecco can be expected to have flavors of pear, green apple, citrus, and melon. While typically not aged or vintaged, some superior examples of Prosecco can develop a nutty or honey flavor in bottle. 


Veneto Prosecco

Similarly to Champagne, Prosecco can only be made in one region. In this case, it’s Veneto, Italy. Prosecco, as we mentioned earlier, is made from the glera grape, which was previously named the prosecco grape. 

This name change occurred in the mid-2000s when the Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene obtained DOCG status.

Producers wanted to avoid confusion between this region (where Prosecco is made) and a town in Italy that was - coincidentally - also named Prosecco. 

Prosecco is usually inexpensive in this region and comes from high-yielding vineyards over a large area.

Some superior examples can be found in small-production vineyards, though the charm of this wine is in its affordability.

Prosecco is often combined with white peach juice in Italy to make the infamous cocktail, the bellini. 


How to Pair Prosecco

Prosecco is an ideal food pairing wine that accentuates and elevates a whole host of dishes.

With charming acidity and low alcohol content, Prosecco is highly versatile and a great wine to serve with your more complicated cuisines. 


Factors to Consider When Pairing Foods with Prosecco

When it comes to pairing Prosecco, there aren’t too many rules. Its acidity and low alcohol make it a friend for rich and spicy foods such as Indian or Thai cuisine, especially if you opt for a brut Prosecco that has some residual sugar. 

Related: If you like a sweeter Prosecco, have you tried Moscato? See how they compare in our guide.

Its effervescence makes it a friendly wine to high-fat and fried foods such as eggs benedict (brunch bellinis, anyone?) and fish and chips.

Pairing Prosecco with delicate or buttery cream sauces such as bechamel will lighten up the dish and add a much-needed fruity element. 

Ideally, when pairing with Prosecco, herb-focused or rich proteins such as prime rib and strong cheeses should be avoided.

Dishes like these will make Prosecco taste bitter and less fruit-forward when paired. 


The Best Prosecco Food Pairings

Now that we’ve covered all of our bases, it’s time for some fun! Prosecco is a highly versatile wine that works well with a wide variety of foods. 

Here are some amazing dishes, snacks and cheeses to pair with Prosecco.


Prosecco Meat Dish Pairings

Sushi set for lunch

A Japanese sushi selection

  • Sushi - Sushi can be a tricky food to pair with wine, but regardless of what’s in your sushi roll, Prosecco can brighten the dish while also providing a pleasant palate cleanser.
  • Tandoori chicken - Richly spiced and flavorful, a glass of brut or semi-sweet Prosecco is perfect for accentuating the dish's flavors while offering a reprieve from its spicy flavor. 
  • Bigoli in salsa - This Venetian pasta dish is composed of whole wheat bigoli pasta, onion, and salt-cured fish. The combination of hearty pasta with salty fish makes for an ideal pairing with Prosecco.
  • Fried chicken - Prosecco’s high acidity and refreshing green fruit flavor make it the perfect complement to crispy fried chicken - or any fried food you can think of. 
  • Biscuits and gravy - As if you need another reason to love biscuits and gravy. This rich and hearty brunch classic perfectly balances with a zippy and brightly acidic Prosecco.


Prosecco Vegetarian Dish Pairings

Fried oyster mushrooms

Fried oyster mushrooms

  • Peanut satay - This Indonesian sauce is made from a blend of fried peanuts and is used as a dipping sauce for everything from fried tofu to veggies to chicken. With subtle spice, layers of flavor, and rich texture, Prosecco is the perfect wine to pair. 
  • Fried oyster mushrooms - Tender on the inside, with a texture reminiscent of chicken, and crispy on the outside, this funky vegetarian dish is ideally paired with a light and refreshing Prosecco. 
  • Green curry with tofu - With delicate spice and fresh green flavor, pairing this dish with Prosecco is sure to accentuate those green fruit flavors and make the wine taste sweeter. 
  • Polenta - Another classic Venetian dish, polenta is often prepared with seafood or mushrooms and can be served throughout the day in this region. Its rich texture, and copious amounts of butter make it a perfect dish to pair with a tart and fruity glass of Prosecco.
  • Butternut squash risotto - This creamy and decadent dish pairs perfectly with Prosecco, which will cut through those rich flavors and appear sweeter and more fruity. 


Prosecco Appetizer Pairings

Indian samosas

Indian samosas

  • Fried avocado slices - Crispy on the outside and buttery on the inside, pairing Prosecco will both elevate the dish and add complexity while also allowing the wine to shine.
  • Bacon-wrapped prawns - What’s better than bacon and wine? The combination of sweet and savory is unbeatable and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 
  • Samosas - This South Asian pastry is typically filled with potatoes, peas, and spices. When paired with Prosecco, the samosas will taste elevated and more flavorful, whereas the wine will taste refreshing and sweeter. 
  • Cranberry brie bites - With a creamy, buttery texture paired with tart cranberry, this savory-sweet appetizer is ideally paired with a light and bright Prosecco. A Rosé Prosecco would also pair beautifully. 
  • Jalapeño poppers - Spicy, green, and loaded with cream cheese, this party snack will make a bottle of Prosecco taste fresh, sweet, and wildly refreshing. 


Prosecco and Cheese Pairings

Camembert Cheese

Camembert cheese

  • Asiago - Originating in Veneto, Asiago makes for an ideal pairing with Prosecco. Its sweet and nutty flavor is perfectly balanced with a refreshing glass of sparkling. 
  • Baby swiss - Aged for a shorter time than regular swiss, baby swiss cheese has a distinct nutty and milky flavor. This makes for a well-balanced pairing alongside a tart and citrusy Prosecco. 
  • Cream cheese - Creamy and rich, Prosecco will slice through cream cheese and taste wonderfully fruity in comparison.
  • Goat cheese - Earthy and tangy, put goat cheese at opposite ends with Prosecco, thus making for an awesome complementary pairing. 
  • Camembert - While strong cheeses are not usually ideal for Prosecco, camembert is just subtle enough to pair with Prosecco. With earth and mushroom flavors, it’s guaranteed to highlight Prosecco’s light green fruit and melon flavors. 


Prosecco and Snack Pairings

Strawberries & whipped cream

Strawberries & whipped cream

  • Fresh strawberries with whipped cream - Straight from the lawns of Wimbledon (that's a tennis reference btw) strawberries and Prosecco are an ideal pairing; when you add fresh whipped cream, it’s irresistible. 
  • Marinated artichokes - Tender and green with a subtle nutty flavor and plenty of olive oil, marinated artichokes will elevate your Prosecco with ease. 
  • Trail mix - Combinations of dried fruit, nuts, and salt make trail mix a secret snack that pairs well with various wines, especially Prosecco. 
  • Fresh fruit display - Prosecco is low in alcohol and often has a subtle sweetness, making it the perfect wine for pairing with an arrangement of fresh fruits.
  • Jambon-beurre (ham and butter sandwiches) - Don’t knock it till you try it. This classic French snack of ham and butter on fresh bread is incredibly satisfying and pairs beautifully with a glass of bubbly.


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About the Author Tim Edison

Tim started Wine Turtle way back in 2015.
These days he contributes to Wine Turtle (and other renowned wine publications) while continuing his wine education.
Tim's wine of the month is the Coates & Seely Reserve Brut NV (from Hampshire, England).



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