Everyone knows about Champagne and Prosecco, but do you know that sparkling wines are produced globally from many different countries?
Bubble Methods
Bottle Fermentation or “Traditional Method:” The base wine is bottled and receives a fresh dose of yeast to begin a second fermentation. The bottle is sealed and the CO2 is locked inside of the bottle to create bubbles and pressure. The dead yeast are removed and the bottle is resealed under pressure with a heavy cork to prevent the bottle from exploding. If a producer allows the wine to mix with the dead yeast for an extended time, they will impart additional flavors of dough, brioche, toast and other bread-like characteristics (i.e., Champagne).
Price: Mid-Super Premium
Tank Fermentation or “Charmat Method:” The base wine is stored in a tank, and receives a fresh dose of yeast to begin a second fermentation. The tank is sealed, and the CO2 is locked inside of the tank to create bubbles and pressure. The dead yeast are quickly removed from the tank and the sparkling wine is bottled and sealed under pressure. Since the dead yeast are quickly removed and don’t interact much with the wine, the wine remains fresh and fruity (i.e., Prosecco).
Price: Inexpensive – Mid
Carbonation: The base wine is bottled and receives CO2 injections directly into the bottle. The bottle is sealed and the CO2 is locked inside to create bubbles and pressure.
Price: Inexpensive
France 🇫🇷
“Champagne“
Method: Traditional
Flavors: Green and citrus fruit, brioche, biscuit
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Region: Champagne
“Cremant” (Outside of Champagne)
Method: Traditional
Flavors: Green and citrus fruit, brioche, biscuit, toast
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris
Regions: Alsace, Burgundy, Loire, Bordeaux, Rhone, Jura, Limoux
Spain 🇪🇸
“Cava”
Method: Traditional
Flavors: Green fruit, citrus fruit, toast, nuts
Main Grapes: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parrellada,
Regions: Penedes (Catalunya), Leida, Taragon, Rioja
Italy🇮🇹
“Prosecco”
Method: Charmat
Flavors: Fresh, apple, citrus fruits
Main Grape: Glera
Regions: Triviso/Trieste of Veneto, Conegliane Valdobbiadene, Asolo, Cartizze
“Asti” & “Moscato”
Method: Charmat
Flavors: Fresh, fruity, stone fruit, orange blossom
Main Grapes: Moscato Bianco
Regions: Asti, Allesandria, Cuneo (Piemonte)
“Lambrusco”
Method: Charmat
Flavors: Strawberry, cherry, jam
Main Grapes: Lambrusco
Regions: Salamino, Grassparossa, Sorbara, Emilia
“Franciacorta”
Method: Traditional
Flavors: Lemon, peach, vanilla, almonds, dough
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Regions: Lombardy
“Trentodoc”
Method: Traditional
Flavors: Lemon, apple, brioche, dough
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Regions: Trento DOC, Trentino, Northern Italy
USA 🇺🇸
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Traditional, Charmat, Carbonation
Flavors: Green and citrus fruits
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc
Regions: California, Oregon, Washington State
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Traditional, Charmat, Carbonation
Flavors: Green and citrus fruits
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc
Regions: California, Oregon, Washington State
South Africa 🇿🇦
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Traditional and Carbonation
Flavors: Green and citrus fruits, floral, brioche
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Chenin Blanc
Regions: Stellenbosch, Paarl, Darling, Tulbagh, Robertson, Bonnievale
Germany 🇩🇪
“Sekt” and “Sparkling Wine”
Method: Charmat & Traditional method
Flavors: Green & citrus fruits, floral
Main Grapes: Local and imported varieties
Regions: Widespread production
Chile 🇨🇱
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Charmat
Flavors: Fresh and fruity
Main Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pais, Moscatel, Sauvignon Blanc
Regions: Limari, Casablanca, San Antonio, Leyda, Curicó, Bío Bío
Argentina 🇦🇷
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Charmat and traditional method
Flavors: Ripe apple, citrus fruits
Main Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pedro Giménez, Chenin Blanc, Semillon
Regions: Mendoza, Neuquén, Rio Negro, San Juan, Luján de Cuyo and Uco Valley
England 🏴
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Traditional
Flavors: Green and citrus fruits
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Regions: Wales, Kent, Sussex, Hampshire
Australia 🇦🇺
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Traditional and Charmat
Flavors: Green, citrus, and stone fruits
Main Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Glera, Shiraz, Muscat
Regions: Victoria, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, King Valley
New Zealand 🇳🇿
“Sparkling Wine”
Method: Traditional and Carbonation
Flavors: Green and citrus fruits
Main Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc
Regions: Gisborne, Marlborough, Central Otago
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