Sparkling wine is wine that is carbonated or has a high carbon dioxide levels. The elevated levels of carbon dioxide causes the wine to be fizzy and create the wine’s signature bubbles.
Similar to still wine, sparkling wine can be found in various varietals and genres. The most common sparkling wines Champagne, Prosecco, and Cava are often confused and misidentified. Although there are many similarities, each wine has key differences that can help you correctly identify each and order your next bottle of bubbly like a pro!
How should sparkling wine be served?
Sparkling wine should be served chilled and in a wine glass specific for sparkling wines such as a tulip, flute, or saucer. For more information on the proper glass to use for sparkling wines, check out my Wine Glasses 101 post!
Pro tip: To chill sparkling wine in a jiff, place your bottle in a bucket of ice with salt!
To preserve its carbonation, excess sparkling wine should be consumed within 1-3 days and stored with a cork stopper specifically for sparkling wines.
Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine produced exclusively in the Champagne region of northern France. Champagne is made from one or a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. This sparkling wine be found in white as well as rose.
Champagne Production
The process of producing Champagne, known as Méthode Champenoise, Méthode Traditionnelle, or the traditional method, requires the sparkling wine to undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle.
The French wine is tightly regulated by the Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). The AOC is a set of guidelines that dictates how French wine should be made. Everything from how the grapes are grown to where they are grown are outlined in the AOC. These strict standards have influenced Champagne wine makers to become very protective of the Champagne label. While many people loosely call all sparkling wines Champagne, labeling a wine Champagne that was not produced in the Champagne region is a big no-no. In fact, in most places, it is actually illegal to label a sparkling wine as Champagne that was produced elsewhere.
Tasting Notes of Champagne
This wine typically has a an ABV of 12.5%. Fruity and floral aromas will greet you shortly after poppin the cork. Common notes of orange-zest, white flowers, white cherry, and almonds can be found in most Champagnes
Champagne pairing tips
Light meats such as seafood and chicken, fried chicken, salads, mac & cheese, goat cheese, crab, salty foods ( such as chips and fries) and spicy foods.
Prosecco
Prosecco is a popular Italian sparkling wine predominantly produced in the Veneto region of Italy. Unlike Champagne that can be made from a single or blend of three grapes, Prosecco is made predominantly from one grape. The Glera grape or prosecco grape is a thin skinned, highly acidic, and highly aromatic grape that must comprise, at minimum, 85% of any bottle of Prosecco.
Prosecco Production
Unlike Champagne that undergoes its secondary fermentation in the bottle, Prosecco’s secondary fermentation commonly occurs in large tanks instead. This process of tank secondary fermentation is known as the Charmat Method (aka Charmat-Martinotti or tank method) . The use of tanks instead of bottles results is slightly more affordable production costs. After all, you can make way more wine in tanks at one time then you can in individual bottles. No wonder bottles of Prosecco tend to be more budget friendly for consumers compared to Champagne.
Similar to Champagne, Prosecco also has a protected name and productions standards. The Denomination of Controlled Origin, (DOC), outlines key characteristics that wines labeled as Prosecco must possess. Details such as alcohol content minimums, grapes, used, and production areas are just some of the aspects specified by the DOC
There are three styles of Prosecco available semi-sparkling , sparkling, and still. Prosecco can also be found as a Rosé.
Tasting Notes of Prosecco
The light, crisp, and refreshing dry wine tends to have an ABV of roughly 12%. Expect notes of apple, honeysuckle, peach, honey dew, melon and pear.
Prosecco Pairings Tips
Prosecco pairs well with salty foods such as popcorn, prosciutto, nuts and asiago cheese. Spicy foods like Thai dish or fruits like melons, peaches, and pears. Also great with light pastas, shellfish, and breakfast dishes.
Cava
Cava is a Spanish sparkling wine primarily produced in Catalonia, Spain. The primary grape varieties used in Cava are Macebeo, Xarello,and Parellada. This dry, light to medium body wine can be found in both white and rose styles.
Cava is produced using the traditional method ( also known as the Méthode Champenoise or Méthode Traditionnelle. Similarly, to Champagne, both sparkling wines undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle. The Cava D.O (Designation of Origin Cava) protects the name and characteristics, including production, of the Spanish sparkling wine.
Is Cava expensive?
Although both wines are produced using the same method, there is one thing that sets the two wines apart, affordability. Cava is noticeably cheaper than Champagne for a few reasons. For starters, Champagne carries a brand reputation of luxury so it’s no surprise that it has a “luxurious” price point to match. Secondly, the cost of growing Cava grapes is a bit cheaper than growing grapes in the Champagne region. Thirdly, while both wines undergo a secondary fermentation within the botte, Cava does not have to age nearly as long as Champagne does. While Champagne is traditionally aged for roughly 15 or so months, Cava can be aged for 9 months and enjoyed shortly after. Cava winemakers are able to out put more bottles of Cava is less time.
Cava Tasting Notes
In addition to the 12.5-13.5% ABV, you can expect aromatic and fruity aromas from this clean and refreshing bubbly wine. Notes of yellow apple, lemon, pears, hazelnut, and toasty bread are commonly noted. In aged Cava’s, notes of nuts and yeast will be highlighted.
Cava Pairing Notes
Cava complex flavor pairs wonderful with cured meat, lamb, pork, asparagus, artichokes, light salads, fried foods, olives, crackers, sheep milk cheeses, and seafood.
What’s your favorite sparkling wine? Leave your favs in the comments below!
