Grape Variety
Glera
“Prosecco's Bubbly Soul”
Glera is a white wine grape grown in Prosecco, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Asolo — known as “Prosecco's Power”.
Glera at a glance
| Color | White |
|---|---|
| Signature flavors | Green apple, Pear, White peach, Honeysuckle, Lemon zest, Citrus blossom, Almond |
| Classic pairings | Aperitivo, Prosciutto, Fried foods, Light pasta, Sushi, Brunch |
| Where it grows | Prosecco, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene, Asolo |
The Story
Glera is the grape behind Prosecco. Until 2009, the grape was called 'Prosecco.' Then, Italy renamed it 'Glera' to protect the Prosecco name (which became a geographic designation). Clever marketing.
Insider Story
Prosecco was a grape and a place. Confusing, right? In 2009, Italy split them. The grape became 'Glera.' 'Prosecco' became a geographic designation (like Champagne).
Why? Protection. Anyone could grow 'Prosecco' grapes and call the wine 'Prosecco.' By making Prosecco a place, Italy controlled the name. Now, only wine from Veneto/Friuli can be called Prosecco.
Prosecco DOC (lowlands) is simple, mass-produced, $10-15. Prosecco Superiore DOCG (Conegliano-Valdobbiadene hills) is complex, age-worthy, $15-30. The difference is enormous.
Cartizze is Prosecco's Grand Cru—107 hectares of steep hillside vineyards. The wines are rich, complex, and cost $25-50.
Technical Deep Dive
Glera has high acidity (6-7 g/L), green apple and pear aromatics, and low alcohol (11-12% ABV in still wine, 11-11.5% in sparkling).
Charmat method (tank fermentation) is used for Prosecco. It's faster and cheaper than traditional method (Champagne). The result is fresh, fruity, drink-young sparkling wine.
Col Fondo is traditional Prosecco—bottle-fermented, unfiltered, cloudy. It's funky, complex, and trendy among sommeliers.
Industry Secrets
Prosecco Superiore Rive (single-vineyard) is the connoisseur's choice. 43 designated Rive vineyards produce site-specific Prosecco. $20-40 bottles rival $50-80 Champagne for complexity.
Collector’s Corner
Investment grade C- Auction records
- Minimal auction presence
- Blue-chip producers
- ["Bisol","Nino Franco","Bortolomiol"]
- Value picks
- Prosecco Superiore DOCG ($15-30), Cartizze ($25-50)
- Price trend
- Flat. Not investment-grade—drink young.
- Collector’s tip
- Not investment-grade. Drink within 2-3 years. Cartizze is Prosecco's Grand Cru.
Updated March 2026
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