Is it just Bubbly?

Let’s start with Champagne, because if you understand Champagne the rest is easy. What is the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine. First it can only be called Champagne if it comes from France’s Champagne region. It is trademarked by law of the (Appellation d’Origine Controles or AOC) and there are only three grapes that can be used in its production. There are: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonay. The first two are red and the last a white grape.

For vintage Champagne, only still wines made from fresh grapes of that year’s harvest may be used in the first step of Champagne production before they are blended into a cuvee. These blends differ, giving each vintner their signature flavor.

The process of adding bubbles to the wine is called methode champenois, or dosage. This starts the secondary fermentation, causing carbon dioxide (co2) gas to form. Next, the bottle is capped, and cellared for a minimum of a year and a half, and placed on 75-degree racks facing down. After daily racking ( the turning of the bottle 1/8 of a turn) will the dead yeast particles settle in the neck of the bottle to form a plug, Then the bottles are frozen with the plug becoming icy. The bottle is uncapped and the gas pushes it out leaving a clean wine. Then the bottles are topped off and corked.

There are three blends of Champagne found on most labels: Blanc de Noris, a blend using Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Blanc de blancs where only Chardonnay is used and Rose, a blend of all three grapes in a process called sarginee.

The different classifications are: Extra Brut, brut, extra dry, Sec, Demi-sec, and Doux.

Spain’s Cava comes from a sub-region in Catalonia. It is made with the same process as Champagne, however, differs as regulated by the (DOC). The three main grapes are Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarelto. Rose (toast) version of Cava is blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, or Monastrell grapes.

Italy’s Prosecco is made and grown in the Vento region with the best coming from a sub-region of (DOCG). Prosecco is made from a single grape called Glera. Here the process of adding the bubbles differs. Unlike Champagne and Cava, Prosecco is aged first in stainless steel vats during fermentation, then bottled. The process is called Charmet vs Metado Classico. All others are called sparling wines.