Types of Prosecco

Prosecco likely takes its name from the town where this vivacious wine was said to have originated.  Over time, the name Prosecco was used interchangeably as the name of the grape, the town, and the wine.  The ancient varietal that has always been used in the production of Prosecco is called “Glera.”  As of August 2009, the Italian government decreed that Prosecco will now refer only to the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)/ Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) or zone of origin and will no longer be used as a grape name. 

Maschio offers two classifications of Prosecco:  D.O.C. and D.O.C.G. 

D.O.C. Prosecco must come from the zone that includes 9 provinces in the Veneto and Fruili Venezia Giulia.  It must be made from a minimum of 85% Glera. 

Vinification, production and bottling must follow strict government rules and guidelines and must meet strict standards. 

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco, D.O.C.G. is born in the extremely delimited Valdobbiadene – Conegliano zone, which lies between the towns of the same names.  Like the DOC, the wine must contain a minimum 85% Glera.  Superiore may be used on the label if these wines follow even more stringent  production standards.  The wine may also note the “rive” or specific slopes or hillsides where the grapes are born such as Rive di Colbertaldo.