Aldi backs ‘bubble-free’ Prosecco

20 MAY 2025By Sarah Neish. THE DRINK BUSINESS

The supermarket chain is earmarking still Prosecco as the drink of the summer. But what is the Italian sparkling wine without the fizz? And is the DOC on board? Sarah Neish investigates.

Aldi has launched bottles of still Prosecco, priced at £5.99, into UK stores with the retailer claiming the wine has the same taste of the classic Italian fizz, but “without the bubbles”. Aldi plans to capitalise on the enormous existing consumer fan base for sparkling Prosecco, and believes that its still version could take off this year. However the budget chain is only giving the product six months to prove itself worthy of a more permanent slot in the range.

“Made from the same grape variety in the same location as its more recognisable sparkling wines, Costellore It’s Still Prosecco is fresh, fruit and floral on the nose with concentrated orchard fruits on the palate,” an Aldi spokesperson tells db. “Off-dry, the wine finishes with a subtle honeyed note, and bold acidity keeps it refreshing.”

What exactly is bubble-free Prosecco?

While hardly prominent on global shelves just yet, still Prosecco has been officially permitted by the Prosecco DOC for some time. “It’s produced in very limited quantities compared to Prosecco DOC Sparkling or Rosé wines and only made up 0.1% of total Prosecco DOC production in 2024,” the consortium tells db.

Known locally as Prosecco Tranquillo, it can be bottled after the first fermentation, and according to the consortium is usually slightly lower in alcohol than its sparkling counterpart (around 10.5% ABV compared to 11% ABV), tying in with recent consumer leanings towards lighter wines. Typically straw yellow in colour, still Prosecco is also required by the DOC to achieve the same minimum total acidity (5.0g/l) as its sparkling peer.

Aldi’s still Prosecco has been officially sanctioned by the Prosecco DOC, which turned over more than €3.6 billion last year, and as such its label sports the blue stamp of approval. This means the wine must meet certain quality standards including containing a minimum of 85% Glera grapes in the blend, with the remaining 15% permitted to include Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Nero. The wine must also be produced in one of two regions, Veneto Friuli or Veneto Giulia, to qualify under DOC rules.

Who makes Aldi’s still Prosecco?

db has learned that the product is produced and bottled by Milan-based Italian Wine Brands SpA (IWB), the largest private wine group in Italy, and the first to be listed on the Milan stock exchange. Having launched its inaugural Prosecco Tranquillo last year under the brand Voga, IWB was keen to explore a second expression with Aldi as a “new potentially interesting seasonal opportunity” in the UK.

“Where better to launch a new Prosecco concept if not in the second biggest country in the world for importing and consuming sparkling Prosecco DOC?” asks Samantha Segarizzi, key account manager, Italian Wine Brands.