Quick Guide to Sparkling Wine

An Introduction to Sparkling Wine

As many people are aware, to be called Champagne, the wine has to be produced in the Champagne region in France. Which is why English fizz produced using the same grapes and the same method can’t be called Champagne, so is simply known as English Sparkling Wine.

Prosecco has taken the limelight in recent years. So much so that the Italians are struggling to produce it at the rate we’re drinking it! Industry experts don’t see this changing anytime soon and envision the consumption growing over the next five years.

It would be easy to forget that outside the big three of Champagne, Prosecco and Cava, there is a growing demand for other sparkling varieties. Sparkling Shiraz has quite the cult following in Australia, whereas Italy has the longest tradition in producing red sparkling wines with the production of Brachetto and Lambrusco.

Quick Sparkling Wine Facts

250M – Some wine experts believe a single bottle of Champagne can contain 250 million bubbles!
80 – Sales of Prosecco in Britain alone have soared by 80% over the last five years
339M – That’s how many bottles the Champagne region shipped in 2007, a record that still stands
54M – The furthest distance a cork has flown after being popped from a bottle of Champagne.

Styles of Sparkling Wine

The style of sparkling wine varies depending on how it’s made, the grape varieties it’s made with and where it’s from.

The traditional method used in Champagne produces finer, more persistent bubbles which makes for a more refined fizz. The grapes used are great for ageing which allows for more complex flavours to develop. This helps explain why Champagne is considered such high quality.

Sparkling wines such as Cremant and Cava are also made using the traditional method, but the requirements for ageing are lower for both of these regions. This is perhaps why these wines are often commended as great Champagne alternatives because there is some complexity there without the same price tag.

Prosecco is mainly made from the Glera grape, using the tank method. This makes Prosecco a dry, zesty style of sparkling wine. Most Prosecco is not aged and is best consumed right away.

Sparkling wines can be dry or sweet depending on the winemaking process. Wines such as Moscato d’Asti tend to be sweet and make great dessert wines.

How is Sparkling Wine Made?

Sparkling wine starts with a still base wine, which is usually light in alcohol and tart due to being produced from early harvested grapes. One of two production methods is used to turn this base wine into fizz:

The Traditional Method

The technique used for Champagne and Cava, which involves fermentation taking place in the bottle rather than in a tank. This method is more labour intensive and the costs can be significantly higher, which tends to be reflected in the price of the wine. Fermentation takes place in a sealed bottle, trapping the carbon dioxide and forcing it to dissolve into the wine, creating those famous bubbles. A prolonged contact with yeast during bottle fermentation gives Champagne its biscuit flavours.

The Tank Method

The technique used to make Prosecco. The name of this method comes from the fact that part of the fermentation takes place in a sealed tank, which prevents any carbon dioxide from escaping. Instead of disappearing into the air, it dissolves into the wine, creating bubbles in the liquid. As long as the wine is bottled under pressure, the bubbles will flow when the cork is popped.

For an in-depth look at the winemaking process for sparkling wine, see How is Sparkling Wine Made.

FAQ

How do you pick a good sparkling wine?

Like most things this depends on your taste and the occasion! For a Friday night tipple with friends an easy-drinking affordable Prosecco will work well. Champagne will always elevate special occasions like weddings and big birthdays.

What glass should you use for sparkling wine?

It is generally thought that the best glass to use for sparkling wines is a flute glass. This is because the small surface area minimises air contact which helps it from going flat. The long shape also helps the bubbles to shoot up the glass.

What’s the best temperature to store sparkling wine?

According to Carl Heline, Director of Krug Champagne, 10-13°c is the perfect temperature to store sparkling wine.

What food is good with sparkling wine?

It’s widely believed that one of the best food matches for Champagne is deep fried seafood – it’s a surprisingly strong pairing with battered cod or calamari! (see Pairing Wine with Seafood).

Sparkling wines can also be great with desserts, especially super sweet desserts like those made with salted caramel (see Pairing Wine with Desserts).