Ready to pop some bottles but don't know where to start? Get ready to sip some bubbly poolside all summer long - I'm going to give you a full rundown of sparkling wine!
Before we start, what makes bubbly so great for summer sipping anyway? Two things - acid and alcohol. The high acid in sparkling wines makes it super refreshing on a hot day and the commonly found citrus flavors pair will well with some of your favorite summer dishes. And it's the low alcohol that makes bubbly approachable for drinking all day! Yeah, we all like a drink poolside, but nobody is trying to pass out in the sun. Sparkling wines tend to be between 11.5% and 12.5% ABV, bringing them in on the lower side of the alcohol scale, so you can stay in for the long haul!
Let's get to the ways sparkling wine can be made. Sparklers start with a base wine which is produced just like any still wine, but then goes through a second fermentation which is where the carbonation is created. Through the process of fermentation, the yeast eats the sugar, creating alcohol and carbon dioxide --> BUBBLES! Here are a few ways those bubbles are made and trapped in the bottle:
Traditional Method, or Méthode Champenoise
With the traditional method, yeast and sugar are added to the base wine to initiate the second fermentation in the bottle. The wine is then aged in the bottle "on the lees" - which is a term for the dead yeast cells (lol I know it sounds gross) and creates yeasty, dough-like flavors in many sparkling wines. The bottles then go through the processes of riddling and disgorgement to remove that dead yeast before the final dosage (any additional sugar needing to be added to balance the wine) and corking. This method is standard for the production of Champagne (France) and Cava (Spain).
Tank Method, or Charmat Method
Sugar and yeast are added to the base wine and a second fermentation takes place in a pressure-resistant tank. The wine is then bottled without aging. This method is standard for making Prosecco (Italy) and while the tank method is less expensive, the resulting wines are not considered to be of lower quality.
Asti Method
Asti Method produces sweet sparkling wines by stopping fermentation early to retain the sweetness of the wine. In this method, the wine only goes through one fermentation.
That's the down and dirty on how bubbly is made - now let's get to the good stuff. What are you actually looking for when you head to the grocery store or wine shop? The first thing to know, and commonly misunderstood, is that Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne.
Say whaaaat?? Yup, hate to break it to you, but it's true. With wine in general, (especially in Europe) it is often labeled by the region where it is grown and produced which is exactly the case with Champagne! Let's talk more about Champagne and other bubbly you've likely heard of!
Champagne
Champagne is a region in Northeastern France that is famous for producing top-quality sparkling wine. These wines are produced using the traditional method explained above and is made with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Wait, wait, wait... go back. Did you read that? YES, CHARDONNAY! This is my favorite argument against anyone who says they don't like Chardonnay! Anyway, these wines won't taste like the buttery Chards of California, but instead, they are crisp with primary notes of citrus, peach, almond, and toast. Champagne is known to pair well with creamy, buttery cheeses, oysters, and french fries!! The downside of these French sparklers is that their high regard demands a high price tag. Introductory Champagne, such as the Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, will cost you about $60, whereas top-of-the-line Champagne such as the Krug Brut will run you $375!
Don't worry, if you're looking for a Champagne-style aka traditional method sparkling without the high price point of quality Champagne, there are tons of options. More on that later, stay tuned.
Prosecco Prosecco is the famous bubbly of Italy made from the Glera grape! I'm willing to bet you've had a Prosecco as there are some very popular and budget-friendly options out there. You'll most definitely recognize the blue label of LaMarca Prosecco! These wines are made using the tank method, which has an effect on the affordability vs Champagne, as it does not require the same labor as the traditional method. When drinking Prosecco, expect pear, melon, and honeysuckle flavors, and pair it with some Pad Thai!
For a higher-end Prosecco, check out Alteneve Z Prosecco Superiore, or if you're feeling adventurous and up to seeking out something more unique - check out Franciacorta! This bubbly from Northern Italy is made in the traditional method and is thought to be similar to and of the same quality as Champagne, it just has the addition of Pinot Blanc. Save yourself a few bucks vs Champagne - check out a few from Vivino.
Cava
Cava is a favorite for many winos as it is made in the traditional method and no joke, it is CHEAP! It is the sparkler of Spain so time to brush up on those Spanish skills to pronounce these grapes - Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada. The notable flavor of Cava is yellow apple, but you'll also get lime and almond.
There are plenty of accessible options such as Pinord Dibon Brut Reserve but look for "Gran Reserva" for some of the top quality - like the Juvé & Camps Cava Gran Reserva de Familia that still comes in under $20!! Some great pairing options for Cava include fried fish or how about paella?? This is a great example of how wines naturally pair well with their region's best-known dishes!
What else?
We just reviewed a few of the big names in bubbly, but that's not the end. Here are a few other bubbles to watch out for:
Crémant: Simply put, Crémant is French bubbly that does not come from Champagne. You may find labels that read "Crémant de Loire" or "Crémant de Limoux" - these are great wines from France, made in the traditional method, with a more approachable price tag. Cap Classique: These sparklers are made in South Africa using Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay and I just think its fun to say. California: Don't rule out the States, there's plenty of bubbly to be found right here, too. Cooler regions such as Sonoma produce great sparkling wines comparable to Champagne.
Feel like you know what you're doing now? Not quite? I don't blame you, there are still SO many terms you'll see with sparkling wine that can be a lot to digest. I mean, just the sweetness scale is overwhelming. Stay with me for a quick breakdown.
Sweetness
Here is a synopsis of the sweetness scale of sparkling wine It gets tricky as different wine regions use different terms. Then there's the fact that "Extra Dry" is not the dryest and "Extra Brut" is less dry than "Brut" I just will never get over it. Like, what? See what you think!
Brut Nature = Bone Dry
Extra Brut = Still dry, but less dry than Brut Nature
Extra Dry = Yup, still dry, but showing more fruity character
Dry/Sec/Trocken = Off-dry, still not sweet
Demi Sec/Halbtrocken = Medium Sweet
Doux/Dolce = Sweet dessert bubbly
As with all things in wine, learning these terms is just a matter of experience, tasting the wines, and a little memorization. In time, it all begins to make sense.
Last two tips before I send you off to sip! One, keep your sparklers well chilled. This maximizes the bubbles and keeps your wine nice and crisp. Two, serve in a flute, tulip (my fav!) or other narrow glass. This actually effects the way the bubbles rise and how the aromtics hit your nose!
Now go have some fun! Popping a bottle of bubbly is always a good way to start a party, but remember! There's no bad time for bubbles!
Cheers! xoxo