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Prosecco or Prosecco Rosé: which should I buy?

Buy the one that suits the moment. Bella Principessa Prosecco D.O.C. Brut, the Gold, is crisp with green apple, pear and citrus, made for toasts, seafood and salty snacks. The Rosé Brut is dry and pink, with strawberry, raspberry and ripe peach, lovely at brunch and with berries. Can't decide? Buy one of each.

The short difference

Both wines are Brut, both are 11% alcohol, and both come in the same 750 ml ceramic-painted bottle. The difference is in the glass. The Gold tastes of green apple, pear and a squeeze of citrus. The Rosé is a little rounder in fruit, with strawberry, raspberry and ripe peach, and it pours a pale, pretty pink.

If you want the background on how Prosecco Rosé differs from classic Prosecco, our sister site explains it well: the difference between Prosecco and Rosé Prosecco. Here, we'll stick to the question you're standing in the aisle with: which bottle goes home with you?

Choose by occasion

• Brunch: the Rosé. Berry notes sit happily next to pancakes, fruit salad and eggs, and the color does half the hosting for you.
• Dinner: the Gold for most menus. Its crisp citrus edge cuts through richness and keeps the palate fresh between bites.
• A gift: either works, and neither needs wrapping. If you know their taste, follow it. If you don't, the Rosé tends to get the bigger smile when the bag opens.
• A party: both. Set them side by side and let guests pick. People who say they only drink white often reach for the pink, and the other way round.

Choose by food

The Gold loves salt and the sea: oysters, shrimp, sushi, fried calamari, prosciutto, Parmigiano and a bowl of good potato chips. It is also the one to reach for with lemony pasta or a simple roast chicken.

The Rosé leans toward fruit and color: strawberries, a cheese board with fig jam, grilled salmon, poke bowls and anything with a little chili. It holds its own with dessert that isn't too sweet, such as a berry tart.

Both are dry, so neither will fight with savory food. If a dish has lots of sugar, a sweeter style would suit it better.

Serving them side by side

Chill both bottles well, ideally in the fridge for three hours or in an ice bucket with water for about twenty minutes. Serve the Gold first if you're starting with oysters or nibbles, and bring out the Rosé as the food turns fruitier or the sun comes out. A white wine glass or a tulip glass shows off the aromas better than a narrow flute, and it makes the pink look even prettier.

Hosting brunch? Open the Rosé for a pink mimosa with blood orange or grapefruit juice, and keep the Gold for anyone who wants it straight.

Why one of each is the easy answer

Both carry the same suggested retail price of $20.99, so choosing one of each costs you no more than two of the same. You cover every taste at the table, you get to compare them side by side, and the bottles look beautiful together. Start with Bella Principessa Prosecco D.O.C. Rosé Brut and pair it with the Gold.

You'll find both at shops in Florida, or order them online from Primo Liquors. Stock varies by store, so call ahead.