What’s in a Name? Breaking Down Styles of Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine is finally getting the recognition it deserves as a serious wine that can be enjoyed with many meals and on many occasions — not just on anniversaries, your birthday, and New Year’s Eve. Recent statistics have shown that of Americans who drink sparkling wine, nearly a third of them drink sparkling wine every week. As a proud member of this statistic, I can’t think of anything wrong with that.
You can’t have a discussion about sparkling wine without beginning with Champagne. And rightfully so — Champagne has a long history of sparkling wine production and consistently produces high-quality bubbles. Even with drinkers becoming more savvy and educated about wines, some people still believe all sparkling wine is Champagne, which is a disservice not only to Champagne, but also to the other worldly sparkling wines. Here’s a quick breakdown of the main sparkling wines you should be drinking (and the ones people frequently confuse). How about popping open a bottle of bubbly tonight?
Champagne
Where it’s from: Champagne is from Champagne, France—there are no exceptions. Champagne is a little less than a two-hour drive from Paris. Virtually all other French wine regions also make sparkling wines (often labeled “crémant de *insert region here*” or “vin mousseaux”), but those are not Champagne.
Grapes to know: The big three grapes of Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Technically four other varietals are allowed — Petit Meslier, Arbanne, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc — but those are rarely seen today. Most Champagnes are a blend of the big three; notable exceptions include Blanc de Blancs (only Chardonnay) and Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier).
How it’s made: The “Champagne method” has become synonymous with the “Classic” or “Traditional” method. Here is the nutshell version:
Crushed grapes → Juice → Yeast is added → Fermentation (yeast converts juice sugars into alcohol and Co2) → still (i.e., non-sparkling) wine
Still wine is bottled → Second dose of sugar and yeast (liqueur d’expedition) is added to the bottle and bottle is capped → Second fermentation takes place in bottle (cap causes CO2 to be trapped in bottle, which creates bubbles) → sparkling wine
Wine ages on the lees (dead yeast cells, yum) → Riddling (process to bring all the sediment/lees into the neck of the bottle) → Disgorging (removes all the collected sediment/lees) → dosage (final sugar adjustment to make wine desired sweetness level: extra brut to doux) → corking
As you can see, it’s a lengthy process. This process yields very fine, persistent bubbles and the extended aging on the lees often makes for a round, creamier texture and a long finish.
Cava
Where it’s made: Spain. About 95% comes from Penedès, in Catalonia.
Grapes to know: Most Cavas are a blend of Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Some other varietals are allowed, including Chardonnay and Monastrell, but the three listed are what typically “define” Cava.
How it’s made: Just like Champagne! Aging and dosage requirements can vary, but the takeaway is that if a Spanish sparkling wine is labeled “Cava,” the second fermentation took place in the same bottle you are purchasing, as is the case with Champagne or other “traditional” or “classic” method sparklers.
Prosecco
Where it’s made: Italy. More specifically, in the Veneto.
Grapes to know: True Prosecco must be made exclusively from the Glera grape, which, confusingly enough, used to be known as Prosecco.
How it’s made: Prosecco is made using the “tank method.” The essential difference between the tank method and the Champagne method is that the second fermentation (when the wine gets bubbles) takes place in a large vat (versus an individual bottle), after which point the lees is removed and the wine is bottled. This process typically makes softer, larger bubbles that dissipate more quickly in the glass, as well a softer, fruity flavor profile.
Other Bubbles
Almost all wine-growing regions make sparkling wines. You can find quality bubbly from California, Tasmania, Maldova, and on and on. There are some amazing values to be had. Don’t wait until next New Year’s Eve!
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