For those looking for the perfect sparkling wine to bring to the table during the holidays, Altroconsumo has identified the winner (or rather, the winners) among 16 classic method labels tested. An unexpected double that rewards quality and Italian territory.
The test winner
Two sparkling wines with equal merit took the top step of the podium, both with a score of 68/100:
Nicosia Carricante Sicilia DOC Sosta Tre Santi classic method Brut 2020 (€19.90) – A Sicilian excellence that enhances the native Carricante vine, demonstrating how the classic method can express itself magnificently even in Southern Italy.
Tenute del Cerro Cerrus classic method Brut (€17.00) – Not only better than the test, but also “Best Buy” thanks to the excellent quality-price ratio. With just 17 euros you can take home a good quality sparkling wine.
Both brilliantly passed the evaluations of 24 professional judges and rigorous laboratory analyses, standing out for their balance, aromatic persistence and olfactory complexity.
The complete ranking
Here are all 16 sparkling wines tested, ranked from best to worst:
- Nicosia Carricante Sicilia DOC Sosta Tre Santi classic method Brut 2020 – €19.90 – 68 points
- Tenute del Cerro Cerrus classic method Brut – €17.00 – 68 points
- Murgo Nerello Mascalese Terre Siciliane IGT classic method Brut 2022 – €21.00 – 60 points
- Ca’ de Pazzi Franciacorta DOCG Brut – €19.00 – 55 points
- Masseria Borgo dei Trulli organic Brut 2021 classic method – €19.50 – 53 points
- Pievalta Per Lugo zero dosage traditional organic method – €16.00 – 53 points
- Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Alto Adige DOC classic method Brut 2016 – €21.00 – 50 points
- Fontanafredda Alta Langa DOCG Limited Edition classic method Brut 2020 – €18.00 – 48 points
- Altemasi Trento DOC classic method Brut 2021 – €18.00 – 48 points
- Girolamo Conforti Franciacorta Brut – €17.50 – 48 points
- Levii Trento DOC classic method Brut 2021 – €18.50 – 45 points
- Contadi Castaldi Franciacorta Brut – €18.90 – 43 points
- Monsupello Pinot Noir Nature classic method Pas Dosé – €23.00 – 39 points
- Clavesana Piemonte DOC Terra Brut 2021 – €19.00 – 38 points
- Cà Maiol Lugana DOC Cantariva classic method Brut 2020 – €19.50 – 37 points
- Tenuta Forcirola classic method Extra Brut – €19.00 – 37 points
How they were rated
Altroconsumo purchased the best-selling classic method sparkling wines on Tannico.it (price range up to approximately 20 euros) between June and July 2025. The evaluation was based on:
Only the top 3 ranked reached a quality defined as “good”, while the majority stopped at an average or lower rating.
How to read the label of a sparkling wine
Before purchasing a bottle, it is important to know how to decipher the information on the label. Here’s what the most common terms mean:
The production method:
The dosage (amount of sugar):
The denominations:
The thousandth:
If the year appears on the label (e.g. 2020, 2021), it means that the grapes all come from that harvest. Vintage sparkling wines are generally of higher quality and can age better.
How to choose a quality sparkling wine
You don’t need to be a sommelier to bring home a good bottle, you just need to know some fundamental tips that make the difference.
First of all, for special occasions such as Christmas, it is worth choosing the classic Italian method. It costs a little more than Prosecco, but the quality is clearly superior: the perlage is finer, the aromas are more complex and the persistence in the mouth is decidedly greater.
When it comes to price, it’s important to find the right balance. Under 10-12 euros you will hardly find a noteworthy classic method sparkling wine, while the range between 15 and 25 euros is the one with the best quality-price ratio, as the Altroconsumo test clearly demonstrates. Above 30 euros you also start paying for the name and prestige of the brand, which is not always justified by actual qualitative superiority.
Geographical origin is another element to consider. The most suitable areas for the classic method in Italy are
However, we must not underestimate the productions of the Centre-South: as the test shows, Sicilian sparkling wines can reserve pleasant surprises and compete on equal terms with their more renowned colleagues from the North.
It is always worth carefully reading the back label, where you can often find valuable information such as the length of time spent on the yeasts (the longer the better, at least 18-24 months), the vines used (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the classics, but native vines can also give excellent results) and the tasting notes which help to understand the aromatic profile of the sparkling wine.
Instead, pay attention to possible traps. Bottles that are too elaborate or tacky often hide a poor quality of content, while generic terms such as “quality sparkling wine” without any precise geographical indication should warn you. Even overly aggressive promotions, such as 3×2 or exaggerated discounts on unknown brands, rarely hide authentic bargains.
Furthermore, a famous name is not always a guarantee of quality. The Altroconsumo test clearly demonstrates this: lesser-known producers can offer excellent sparkling wines at more accessible prices, such as Tenute del Cerro which at just 17 euros wins the title of best in the test together with the Sicilian Nicosia.
Finally, it is important to choose based on the occasion of use. For the classic toast, a traditional Brut is preferable, versatile and appreciated by all, while for the aperitif you can opt for an Extra Brut or a Dosaggio Zero, drier and less sugary. If, however, you are looking for something to accompany dessert, opt for a Demi-Sec or a Moscato d’Asti, which are decidedly sweeter and suitable for end-of-meal dishes.
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