and why does one cost so much more than the other?
Answer: Champagne is from France and Prosecco is from Italy and they’re produced using different methods. the winemaking method is partially responsible for the price difference.
Technically speaking, Champagne is more expensive to produce than Prosecco. However, one of the biggest factors in the big cost discrepancy is market demand and positioning.
Tasting Notes: Since Champagne is aged longer on the yeast particles (called lees), it will often have a cheese rind like flavor that in finer examples comes across as toasty or biscuity. Since the wines are aged in bottles under high pressure the bubble finesse is fine, persistent and sharp. Vintage-dated Champagnes often have almond-like flavors along with orange-zest and white cherry.
Tasting Notes: Prosecco tends to have more present fruit and flower aromas which are a product of the grape. Because the wines are aged in large tanks with less pressure Prosecco bubbles are lighter, frothy and spritzy with less persistence. Finer Prosecco wines often exhibit notes of tropical fruits, banana cream, hazelnut, vanilla and honeycomb.
Food Pairing: Prosecco leans more towards the sweeter end of the spectrum and because of this it’s an ideal match with cured meats and fruit-driven appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped melon and middle-weight Asian dishes such as Thai noodles and sushi.
It doesn’t matter if you spend $10 a bottle or $100 a bottle. Find the best sparkling wine choices in your budget.