Glera

Glera is a white grape variety most famously known as the foundation of Prosecco, one of Italy’s most celebrated sparkling wines. This ancient variety has been cultivated for centuries, and until 2009, it was commonly referred to as Prosecco, named after the village of Prosecco near Trieste in Friuli Venezia Giulia, which is believed to be its place of origin.

In 2009, a pivotal change occurred in the Italian wine classification system: Prosecco was granted DOCG status - the highest designation of quality for Italian wines. To protect the Prosecco name as a geographically designated term and prevent producers outside the DOC/DOCG zones from marketing their wines as “Prosecco,” the grape variety was officially renamed Glera.

This change ensured that only sparkling wines made from Glera grapes grown in the authorized areas of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia could legally be labeled as Prosecco. Today, Glera remains the primary grape used in the production of Prosecco DOC and DOCG, typically making up at least 85% of the blend.

Glera grapes are known for their delicate aromas of green apple, pear, white peach, and floral notes, and are ideal for producing fresh, light, and aromatic sparkling wines. The grape’s natural high acidity and relatively neutral flavour profile make it perfectly suited for the Charmat method, which preserves its crisp and fruity character.

As global demand for Prosecco continues to grow, Glera has become one of the most widely planted white grapes in Italy.