Prosecco, history and numbers of a global leader in oenology

The numbers of success: Prosecco production and markets in 2026

The  production of Prosecco in 2025 has reached 667 million bottles, with an increase of 1.1% compared to 2024 (which had recorded a 7% growth over the previous year), for an estimated consumption value of 3.6 billion euros which represents almost 25% of the production of Italian DOP wines:

• the sparkling version represents over 76% of total production; involving 12,107 wineries, 1,046 winemaking companies and 362 sparkling wine producers;

• The Prosecco DOC Rosé has achieved the brightest performances, with sales growth exceeding 20% compared to 2023, reaching 60 million bottles (Il Sole 24 Ore, 2026; Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC, 2025a).m

Theexport, 82% of sales, continues to be a fundamental pillar. 164 destination countries, with over 65% of bottles distributed in the European market, more than 26% in North America, 6% in Asia and less than 2% in other continents. (Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC, 2025a).

From Glera grapes to Pucinum: the millennial history of Prosecco

The history of Prosecco dates back to  Trieste, where its cultivation and production are already documented in Roman era. The writer and traveler Fynes Moryson (1566-1630) reports about ‘Istria, divided between Forum Julii and Istria proper. Here grows the Wine Pucinum, now called Prosecho, much celebrated by Pliny‘.

The wine in question is Pucino, produced with  Glera grapes in the Trieste Karst. In the  17th century, in Trieste, to differentiate their local wine from those of neighboring areas such as Istria and Gorizia, it was decided to find a name linked to the territory. The choice fell on the name Prosecco, for the cultivation of Glera grapes in the surrounding area of the homonymous Torre di Prosecco, hamlet of the municipality of Trieste.

The  modern sparkling wine production of Prosecco developed in  1876 thanks to the enologist Antonio Carpenè, founder of the Institute of Viticulture and Enology of Conegliano, who perfected the refermentation method in autoclave. From local wine to  first sparkling wine in the world by number of bottles sold, Prosecco has become a symbol of Made in Italy (Gaeta & Corsinovi, 2022).

The Martinotti-Charmat method: how authentic Italian sparkling wine is born

TheGlera grape is harvested from mid-August to the first weeks of September, when it reaches the right balance between acidity and sugar content. After harvesting, the grapes are brought to the cellar, separated from stems and leaves and pressed through the crusher-destemmere to soft pressing, to preserve the delicate primary aromas of the grape variety. Thus is obtained the  must flower (the first part of the juice), which is transferred to the autoclave.

In  autoclave begins the  first alcoholic fermentationwhere sugars transform into CO₂ and ethyl alcohol thanks to the action of selected yeasts. At the end of this phase, which lasts an average of 15-20 days punctuated by filtration and transfer operations at controlled temperature (16-18°C), a  base wine clear and aromatic.

Subsequently, still in the autoclave, selected yeasts chosen by the oenologist are inoculated along with sugars and nutrients, starting the  refermentation which lasts for 15-25 days and generates the distinctive bubbles. This is the  Martinotti-Charmat method, patented by Federico Martinotti in 1895 and perfected by Eugène Charmat, which preserves the aromatic freshness of the Glera grape variety (Torresi et al., 2023).

At the end of any centrifugations and/or filtrations to precipitate tartaric acid and stabilize the product, the process proceeds tobottling cold isobaric. The last important aspect is the  State seal, DOC or DOCG, placed on every bottle intended for sale to guarantee the origin and quality of the product.

Calories and properties: the nutritional profile of Prosecco DOC

From a nutritional point of view, Prosecco has a relatively moderate caloric content: about  70-90 kcal per glass (100 ml) in the Brut version, which increases in sweeter types like Extra Dry (Fracassetti et al., 2021):

• the alcohol content ranges between  11% and 12.5% vol., while

• The residual sugar determines the different classifications: Brut Nature (

Comprehensive sustainability: the social and environmental future of viticulture

The sector is investing in sustainability with various initiatives:

• on the front  environmental, the Consortia are working on reducing  chemical inputs through the genetic selection of grape varieties and low-impact defense strategies, adhering to recognized sustainability standards (Masotti et al., 2023). In parallel, the reduction ofcarbon footprint through the containment of energy waste and the reuse of production waste, together with optimal management of  water resources both in case of excess and lack of precipitation;

• at the social, initiatives have been launched to enhance human resources through specialized training programs, as well as collaborations with territorial bodies such as Veneto Lavoro and Caritas to promotesocial inclusion and the redistribution of the value created by the supply chain;

• on the front  economic, the Consortium constantly monitors consumption dynamics to ensure  value stability of productions and safeguard company income (Consorzio Prosecco DOC, 2025b).

A strategic objective is the creation of a  digital community among producers, allowing integrated management of the Denomination’s information and improving the efficiency of the production system through the introduction of  innovative practices identified through experimentation.

Buying guide: why choose organic Prosecco

For a conscious purchase, choosing organic Prosecco represents the highest commitment to the territory. Supporting producers who give up synthetic chemicals promotes the conversion of vineyards to agronomic practices that protect biodiversity and the health of fragile ecosystems, such as the UNESCO-recognized hills. Organic farming is the most effective tool to regenerate soils and ensure the purity of the final product.

The team of GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade) plays an active role in supporting international buyers in selecting reliable producers, ensuring transparency in the supply chain and facilitating contact with Italian organic excellences.

Defense of Made in Italy: Artificial Intelligence and international protection

The protection of  Denomination and the protection of international consumers represent strategic priorities for the sector. In 2024, the Consortium achieved significant results by blocking the commercialization of  Australian wine improperly labeled as 'Prosecco' in key markets such as Japan, China, the Philippines and Ukraine. The strategy of  international protection is now established in over  80 countries, with constant monitoring and combating of counterfeits and evocations (Consorzio Prosecco DOC, 2025).

On the front oftechnological innovation, stands out the collaboration with  Microsoft e IPZS (Polygraphic Institute and State Mint) for the launch of  MIA (My Italian Shopping Assistant), a chatbot based on artificial intelligence Azure OpenAI and Microsoft Copilot which, through photographic recognition of the label, verify the authenticity of the bottles of Prosecco DOC.

Within the framework of international protection, a relevant news is the conclusion of negotiations for theEU-Mercosur agreement, which provides for the ‘phasing out’ in 10 years of the use of the term ‘Prosecco’ for sparkling wine produced in  Brazil.

Not forgetting, it is hoped, theautochthonous identity and the indissoluble link with the territory that have made Prosecco arecognized excellence worldwide, symbol of conviviality and quality of Made in Italy.

References

• Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC. (2025). Economy & markets of the denomination. Prosecco.wine. https://www.prosecco.wine/dati-analisi-prosecco/

• Consorzio Tutela Prosecco DOC. (2025). Report on consortium activities 2024. Prosecco.wine. https://www.prosecco.wine/2024-bilancio-attivita/

• Il Sole 24 Ore (2026, January 9). Wine in crisis? Not the Prosecco Doc which closes with growth also in 2025. https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/vino-crisi-non-prosecco-doc-che-archivia-crescita-anche-2025-AIepPUn