NEW YEAR'S EVE: SPARKLING WINE BEATS CHAMPAGNE, EXPERT ADVISES US HOW TO TOAST

The trend was already evident at the end of 2024, and it seems to be fully confirmed for the toasts at the end of 2025: in 2025, according to UIV-Ismea data, 1.03 billion bottles of Italian sparkling wines were produced and sold, of which over 360 million were destined for the holidays between Christmas and, above all, New Year's Eve, with 106 million bottles of bubbles to be uncorked in Italy. Our Prosecco dominates, with closing figures, according to estimates from the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, projecting an overall increase in sales of 8% compared to 2024. Prosecco DOC sales are essentially stable compared to 2024. The estimated total is 98 million bottles of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and 665 million bottles of Prosecco DOC. For these end-of-year celebrations, it is estimated that approximately 150 million bottles of Prosecco will be uncorked worldwide. In 2025, Prosecco sales in the US surpassed those of Champagne, not only in volume but also in value, with a 30% share of the sparkling wine category compared to 28% for Champagne (data from the UIV-Vinitaly Observatory). Furthermore, in the United States, it represents 87% of Italian sparkling wine sales and 25% of all Italian wine. Compared to Champagne, Prosecco performs well in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, and France, the home of Champagne, where it is appreciated for its freshness and versatility. Prosecco's success is constant, but to optimize its consumption before the numerous end-of-year toasts, some precautions must be taken. According to Sandro Bottega, CEO of Bottega Spa , a leading Prosecco producer in Bibano (Treviso) that exports to over 160 countries worldwide, the following recommendations are recommended: refrigerate it at a maximum temperature of 5 degrees Celsius (in some areas of Italy, simply placing it outside the window); refrigerate the glasses as well to prevent them from warming up with room temperature; serve a different sparkling wine between aperitifs and New Year's Eve celebrations, preferably dry for the former, and depending on your taste, either dry or sweet for celebrations; For the aperitif, choose Franciacorta Metodo Classico, Oltrepo Pavese, Trento DOC, or Prosecco Extra Brut, while for celebrations, Prosecco Extra Dry and Moscato are preferred. Use flutes for aperitifs and celebrations, but use classic white wine glasses throughout the meal. If you enjoy cocktails, the best are: Bellini, Spritz, and "Negroni sbagliato," or the Spritz Euganeo, made with Moscato, ice, and a slice of orange. If you enjoy spicy foods, we can also suggest a sweet sparkling wine. Sandro Bottega also warns against serving any sparkling wine: never serve sparkling wine with artichokes, as the flavor would be completely inappropriate; don't serve sparkling wine—any kind—with roasts, braised meats, truffled eggs, or aged cheeses, but it's fine with fresh cheeses; don't serve sweet sparkling wines as an aperitif. Don't use a traditional champagne glass for dry sparkling wines; it's unsuitable and doesn't enhance the bubbles. After serving the first glass, don't leave the bottle on the table; always place it in a bucket of ice.