Prosecco production has grown to 150 million bottles

A bottle of Champagne (L) stands next a bottle of Prosecco in a wine shop in the Valdobbiadene valley, northern Italy, July 4, 2008. Prosecco production has grown to 150 million bottles from 5 million a year in 40 years driven by demand for exports to Germany and the United States. Now it aims to increase production to 250 million bottles, the level of champagne, the world's leading bubbly made in France. Gianluca Bisol has great expectations for the white sparkling wine his family has been making since 1542 in the Valdobbiadene and Conegliano regions north of Venice. A 22nd-generation prosecco producer, he is hoping an economic slowdown may help his fizz gain ground over pricier champagne.

To match feature PROSECCO-WINE/ REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri (ITALY)