Champagne is a sparkling wine from France and
Prosecco is from Italy. The difference in price is partially
from the production method used to make each wine. Both have
flavonoids that have antioxidant properties, just as with red
wine.
Champagne is more time
intensive to produce and enjoys better marketing, thus affecting
higher price. Champagne is primarily Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and
Pinot Meunier grapes with higher acidity. Since carbonation
develops under high pressure, Champagne has fine, persistent
bubbles. Pairing champagne with potato chips or fried chicken
may sound odd, but is very delicious.
Prosecco is made with
primarily Glera grapes (formerly known as Prosecco). Prosecco
can be spumante ("sparkling wine"), frizzante ("semi-sparkling
wine"), or tranquillo ("still wine"). Because it is aged in
large tanks with less pressure, Prosecco has lighter, frothy
bubbles that do not last as long. Prosecco is a bit sweeter than
champagne.
Incidentally, in
some countries, it is illegal to label any product Champagne
unless it both comes from the Champagne region in France and
is produced under the rules of the appellation. The United
States has a grandfather clause stating that wineries which
were operating and producing sparkling wine before the
agreement was signed in 2005 are legally, according to US law,
able to use the term “champagne” on their label. One company
that does is Korbel.