How do you serve Prosecco at Christmas?
The short answer
Chill your Christmas Prosecco before guests arrive, set out clean glasses and open bottles as needed. Pour gently and keep the wine cold between servings. Put the alcohol-free drinks where everyone can find them too. A warm welcome should not depend on a last-minute search through the refrigerator.
Answered by Michael Goldstein · Founder, Bella Principessa
Updated on
The full answer
Chill your Christmas Prosecco before guests arrive, set out clean glasses and open bottles as needed. Pour gently and keep the wine cold between servings. Put the alcohol-free drinks where everyone can find them too. A warm welcome should not depend on a last-minute search through the refrigerator.
The doorbell rings just as you remember the glasses are still in the cupboard. Somebody is asking about coats, something in the oven needs attention, and the welcome drink has become another job.
A little preparation buys you a much nicer entrance into your own party. Have the wine chilled, the glasses ready and the alcohol-free choices within easy reach before the first guest arrives.
Before guests arrive
Decide who is likely to choose Prosecco and whether it is for a welcome drink, a toast or another part of the meal. If you are still choosing the style or occasion, our Christmas Prosecco guide offers a starting point. Use the actual bottle size and planned pour in your calculation. Our bottles of Prosecco per guest guide shows the numbers.
Chill the wine in advance, following the producer's guidance where available. Set out clean glasses and leave room to keep bottles cold between pours. A tulip-shaped or white-wine glass can work; see Prosecco glasses for the options.
When it is time to pour
Open the bottle slowly, controlling the cork and keeping it pointed away from people. The serving Prosecco guide gives the steps. Pour gently, allow the foam to settle and avoid filling every glass to the rim.
Keep the next bottle closed until it is needed. If you are offering Bella Principessa white Brut and rosé Brut, ask which guests prefer rather than opening several of both styles just to fill the table.
Through the meal and afterwards
Let the food help determine which wine to serve. Our Prosecco food pairings guide covers the pairing principles. Keep water and alcohol-free choices just as accessible as the wine.
If a bottle remains unfinished, reseal it with a proper sparkling-wine stopper and refrigerate it upright. See keeping Prosecco after opening for the freshness guidance.
Sources
Consortium storage and service guidance, specifically for Prosecco Superiore; WSET pairing principles. The linked general serving and opened-bottle guides contain the detailed opening and preservation sources.
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