In honour of the announcement of our first book, “Life is the Bubbles: An Effervescent Guide to Sparkling Wine,” we thought we’d take things back to basics for anyone who might be new here (hello newbies – and welcome!).
This is Sparkling Wine 101! If you love bubbles (who doesn’t?!), but feel a little lost when it comes to picking the perfect bottle, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re toasting a big celebration or just treating yourself on a Tuesday (because why not?), sparkling wine is the most uplifting, festive, and fun wine style out there. And learning about it should be just as light and effervescent!
So, What Exactly Is Sparkling Wine?
At its core, sparkling wine is simply wine that contains carbon dioxide (CO2), which creates those delightful little bubbles we all know and love. Yay, bubbles! Of course, there’s a lot of science behind it, but we promise to make it as easy (and fun) as sipping a glass of your favorite fizz.
The Sparkling Spectrum: More Than Just Champagne
You’ve probably heard all sparkling wine called Champagne at some point. Maybe you’ve even done it yourself—no judgment! But here’s the deal: while all Champagne is sparkling wine, not all sparkling wine is Champagne.
• Champagne comes from a small region in northern France.
• Prosecco hails from northeastern Italy.
• Cava is Spain’s go-to bubbly from Catalonia.
• And there are so many more!
Lumping all sparkling wine together is like saying all red wine tastes the same. You wouldn’t compare a rich, buttery Chardonnay to a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, right? The world of bubbles is just as diverse, and we’re here to help you navigate it!
How Sparkling Wine is Made: The Basics
There are many ways to make sparkling wine, but the two most popular methods are:
• Traditional Method (like Champagne) – More complex and aged on the lees (yeast), resulting in rich, toasty, and creamy bubbles.
• Charmat Method (like Prosecco) – Fermented in large tanks for fresh, fruity, and lively bubbles.
Other methods include the trendy Pét-Nat (Pétillant Naturel), which is bottled before fermentation is finished (think funky, unfiltered, cider-like vibes), and force-carbonation, where CO2 is injected into the wine (aka soda-pop bubbles—we’ll pass).
Ready to Find Your Sparkle?
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to explore! And the best way to do that? Get out there and taste! Whether you love crisp and refreshing Prosecco, elegant and toasty Champagne, or something unexpected like a funky Pét-Nat, there’s a perfect bubbly waiting for you.
Stay tuned—we’ll be diving deeper into Traditional vs. Charmat Methods in our next post! Until then, grab a glass and celebrate life’s little (or big) moments with some sparkle.
